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Belly Dance Classes and Workshops in Edmonton

• Yearly Schedule: Winter (Jan,Feb,Mar), Spring (Apr,May,June), Fall (Sept,Oct,Nov).
• Session Starts: typically 3rd week of Jan/Apr/Sept running 8-10 weeks with time off for statutory holidays and unavoidable dance travels.
  
• Cutoff to Join: 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.
  
• Register Confidentially Online 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 confirmation. Please Contact me if there's any problems.
  

NOW: Summer08, 8 weeks, Jul15-Sept2, $128 non-refundable, $20 drop-in

NEXT: Fall08, 10 weeks, mid-Sept -- late Nov, ~$160 non-refundable, $20 drop-in.

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

RECURRING CLASS SCHEDULE: below generally repeats term to term.

[POSTPONED UNTIL FALL08] Mon – SouthWest: Brookside Community Hall

[POSTPONED UNTIL FALL08]Wed – Downtown: Capoeira Academy
10540 Jasper Ave, free parking after 6pm at meters, on bus/LRT | Capacity: 12 | $128

[POSTPONED UNTIL FALL08] Thurs – West: From Within Wellness Ctr

[POSTPONED UNTIL FALL08] Thurs – North: Northmount Community Hall

Sat – Downtown Capoeira Academy
10540 Jasper Ave, parking meters active til 6pm, on bus/LRT | Capacity: 12

Sun – Downtown Capoeira Academy
10540 Jasper Ave, free parking at meters, on bus/LRT | Capacity: 12

Restaurant FUNShow: 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.

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.

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. 

YOUR INSTRUCTOR (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.

REGISTRATION: 

• 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 Registration

• remind friends with your plans for 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 ($55-75) - 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)