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Belly Dance Classes and Workshops in Edmonton

Winter2010: 10 Wks, Jan11 - Mar26; $170 (75 min), drop-in $20; cutoff Jan28. No Classes Feb 15-19

• Session Starts:
  
• typically 3rd week of Jan/Apr/Sept running 8-10 weeks with time off for statutory holidays and unavoidable dance travels.
  
• Winter (Jan,Feb,Mar), Spring (Apr,May,June), Fall (Sept,Oct,Nov)
  
• Cutoff to Join:
  
• join by 3rd week of classes. Yes, you'll be fine. No, you won't be behind. We start with pre-conditioning and build momentum over weeks and you can take extra make-up classes if you want.
  
• Get Informed:
  
• about this Dance and how I teach by reading the side column articles - very useful. To reduce buyer's remorse please make an informed choice so we find a good fit.
• Choosing Teachers
  
• Common Questions
• See Instructor and Teaching Style mid-way below.
  
• Check: Class Schedule
•  for the Day and Time that works for you. Descriptions are below under Class Types.
  
• On-line Sign-up saves your spot - pay at class.
  
• with the link at bottom. A webpage should open that has a short survey to inform both of us. Cool huh? Payment at first class is final confirmationto keep your spot. Please Contact me if there's any problems.
  

NEXT: Winter 2010 Session is in planning Jan-Mar. Pls inquire.

WHO: Adults and Youth (15-65 yrs, 12 yrs with guardian)

SCHEDULE of Classes: 90% repeats term to term.

 Mon – SouthWest: BrookVIEW Community Hall

Wed – Downtown: new location in progress

Thurs – North: Northmount Community Hall

Fri & Sat – Downtown Capoeira Academy
10429 79 Ave, (2 blocks south of The Keg), *ample free parking* | Capacity: 15

Sun – Whyte Ave: Village Lifestyle Wellness Ctr
10540 Jasper Ave, free parking at meters, on bus/LRT | Capacity: 12

Restaurant Party: hang out, goof off, show off -- an end of the session, excuse to party. Dancing is optional but fun is guaranteed. Yes, I'll dance and you'll have a chance to goof around with your friends and family. Bring your hipscarves! Winter09: Fri 27Mar2009, arrive 6:30-7:30pm, show 8pm, party 8:45pm.

CLASS TYPES:

Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 ( Intro and Repeaters Technique): explore the beauty of movement in a fun, supportive, social atmosphere. For total beginners (Beginner 1), a solid grounding in hip isolations with exposure to torso moves, arms, hands, shimmies, travelling, finger cymbals, layering. Repeaters (Beginner 2) focus on the latter – recommended review for intermediate/advanced. I don't teach veil or choreography here but prefer structured yet natural progression that allows for the absences and varying ambitions of busy adult-learners. The combinations you learn let you to show your skills at the Restaurant FUNShow.

VO Fitness Bellydance: It's back. The latest version is a very popular class. Viraj's Occidental-Oriental Fitness Bellydance system. A fast-paced, non-stop, low-impact workout entirely using Egyptian Oriental dance movements using solo and group dance drills to develop moderate cardio, excellent core stability and functional fitness. Translation: you'll lose love handles, increased vitality in daily life, and be surprised that sweating can really be this fun and beautiful! Caution: we learn some really gorgeous floor moves here! You can take a 2nd drop-in VO Fitness Bellydance during the week for $5.

Mom&Babies:under development. Send your preferred days, times, locations pls.

Kids BellyDance:  under development. Send your preferred days, times, locations pls.

Intro Variety: a mix of 'flow' with 'go': [not offered currently, under development]

• RhythmFlow Bellydance:belly dance technique instruction as above and moving meditation to soft music plus...
• Learn Shakira: moves straight from her videos. Viraj studied with Shakira's instructor's instructor in Cairo

Intermediate/Advanced Variety and Technique: a flexible focus on a range of topics: layered shimmies, arm and hand mastery, complex travelling steps, complex combinations, finger cymbal rhythms and sound effects, musical interpretation/improvisation, performance attributes, etc.  See Bellydance Learning Tips - 4. Learning Skill Sets. Contact Viraj to request topics. 

INSTRUCTORS:

• Viraj
• the only prof'l male Middle Eastern Dancer between Vancouver and Toronto; formally trained in dance instruction, performance, wellness and fitness;
• resident performer at Cosmos, Grub Med and Yianni's Kasbar restaurants;
• featured in national print, radio and tv;
• smoothly translates lighthearted showmanship into a supportive, skill-building, fun journey.
• [I do apologize that my resume and media appearances are still being put online]

Teaching Style:  my students who have taken classes from others tell me they love the clear, structured breakdowns in logical sequence with descriptive verbal cues and supportive, individual feedback that clears errors and builds skills. They seem to like the goofball atmosphere and personal insights from experience. I go out of my way to ensure a relaxed, open and friendly learning environment. Pls see Common Questions at right sidebar.

• -------- below are past teachers ----------
  
• Samourah
• [interim bio] a veteran restaurant dancer for decades who has taught many of the teachers and professional dancers in Edmonton. Samourah has wide experience in pilates, interpretive dance and cares deeply about  empowering women safely. She'll be teaching her own choreography and we are VERY fortunate to have her on board before she moves to Hawaii  Dec08.
  
• Rita
• [interim bio] Rita has taught  belly dance around the Edmonton area at several locations throwing banquet-sized parties for her students. Returning now, fresh from having her first baby, she loves belly dance and it really shows. Rita's natural beauty and ability inspires.
  

HOW TO JOIN: 

• Sign-up online below (pay at first class) - you save your spot, I save my sanity.
  
• To register pay at first class, by cash or chq (to: Viraj Wanigasekera).  Earliest Pre-registrants online take priority. Fees are *non-refundable* because I've turned somebody away to accept you.
  
• Late registration cutoff: in most cases, 3rd week of classes with fees scaled for absences.
• Haven't read these yet? Its really short and a really good idea. It's better if you know why this is gonna be so much fun and worthwhile to learn something new.
  
• Choosing Teachers
• Common Questions
• See Instructor and Teaching Style mid-way

Belly Dance with Viraj  - Class Sign-up

• bringing friends? remind them register online with your day and time
  
• yoga wear is ideal - pls no jeans/skirts - it really helps us both to see spine and knees
• bright scarf for faster visual learning-- I sell hipscarves ($30-75) - the fun jingle helps your timing
• barefoot/socks for Dance Technique VS runners and yogamat/towel for VO Fitness Belly Dance
  
• water bottle
• sense of humour
• Important to read->Common Questions
• Keeners can read -> Learning Tips
• fees (pls make chqs to Viraj Wanigasekera)