Ongoing Classes @ Joy of Motion

Beginning 1

Beginning I will focus on building body awareness, increased strength and stamina, and tribal posture using a combination of classic tribal style moves and the Suhaila Salimpour format with a pronounced emphasis on strong technique. The class will focus heavily on muscular movement, and students will learn about the history of the tribal style and its context within the worldwide belly dance community. This class is open to all students of belly dance who are willing to sweat in class and be sore the next day.


Beginning 2*

Beginning II classes will build on the basics taught in Beginning I such as glute-driven hip work, undulations isolated in the torso, and American Tribal Style movements, and will introduce more complex elements such as muscle locks, three-quarter shimmies, traveling hip work, full-time isolations, and non-Middle Eastern musical interpretation. For the Spring 2008 semester, students will learn a complete tribal fusion style choreography and perform it at the Joy of Motion student showcase on May 30th.

* Students must have at least two semesters of Asharah's Beginning I classes OR be Level I certified in the Suhaila Salimpour format. Serious study with certain other instructors can also fulfill this pre-requisite, but please e-mail Asharah at asharah [at] asharah [dot] com if you aren't sure if you're ready for this class.

 

Ongoing Classes @ Saffron Dance

Tribal 1* (Tribal 2 for Summer Semester)

This class has been created for dancers seeking to develop the fundamental posture, alignment, and technique for a broad array of tribal belly dance styles, from American Tribal Style (ATS) to its modern fusions. Technique builds from week to week through structured drilling exercises based on the Suhaila Salimpour format** and ATS (group improvisation) created by Carolena Nericcio and FatChance BellyDance. Students will also develop strong posture, arm positions, hip work, torso isolations, and basic foot patterns specific to the tribal style. This class follows an organized approach to building the basic elements of tribal and basic tribal bellydance technique.

* Completion of Tribal 1 with Asharah or Jen Hodge, or Asharah's explicit approval is required to enroll in this class.

**Asharah is not an official instructor for the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance, but Suhaila Salimpour has given permission for Asharah to use the Suhaila Salimpour format in her classes.

Tribal 2*** (Tribal 3 for Summer Semester)

This class builds on technique developed in Saffron Tribal 1 and 2 by using more advanced elements of the Suhaila Salimpour and FatChanceBellyDance formats, as well as Asharah's own signature dance vocabulary. This class will work to develop core strength, stamina, isolations, and musical interpretation. Classwork emphasizes the breakdown and drilling of each element. Students will incorporate technique and movement into traveling and combinations with a focus on execution and precision.

*** A minimum of 6 months prior experience study with Asharah is required for registration.


Intro to Tribal with Jennifer Hodge

Get a flavor for Saffron Tribal in this 5 Week Intro Series. Perfect for Oriental Dancers curious as to what all the fuss is about or for individuals with no dance experience interested in this stylization and approach to belly dance.

 

Workshop Topics

Pops, Locks, and Tick Tocks
Technical Tricks to Mechanize your Movement

Experience Level: Intermediate beginner and above.
Inspired by robots, experimental electronic music, and poppin' and lockin', Asharah has integrated mechanical movements into her expressive tribal fusion performances. In this workshop, Asharah will lead students through an intense warm up and then will show students how to break down traditional bellydance movements such as vertical hip figure-8s, shoulder rolls, torso undulations, turns, and arm waves into smaller and sharper parts to give your performances a robotic and creepy edge. After drilling these movements, she'll teach a short combination that demonstrates how these movements can be used in a performance. She'll also briefly discuss concepts of electronic music, how it is created, and how to listen to the nuances of music made by machines and computers.


Danse Mécanique
Integrating Elegant and Technical Movement for Tribal Fusion Bellydance

Experience Level: Intermediate beginner and above.
This workshop will help you refine your technique and add elegance to your bellydance movement. While sharp pops and locks are an essential part of the tribal dancer's repertoire, grace and polish are equally, if not more, important for conveying expression and feeling from the stage to the audience. Asharah will lead students through an intense warm-up that will prepare the body for fluid arm-work, well-defined isolations, and dramatic extension. We will drill smooth bellydance movements (such as arm waves, interior hip circles, and undulations) and hard contraction movements (such as chest locks and hip work in various directions), and Asharah will teach a short combination using these moves in a choreography, emphasizing flow and musical interpretation.


The Sinewy Spine
Strength and Flexibility for Backbends and Floorwork

Maximum Class Size - 10 students.
Experience Level: Intermediate and above.
Asharah has been known for making backbends and floorwork look elegant and effortless. In this workshop, Asharah will lead you through an intense warm-up, then we'll do a series of yoga poses and pilates exercises to strengthen the abdominals, thighs, and back muscles as well as lengthen the spine to prepare you for backbends and floorwork. Students will then spot each other as they try out laybacks, berber walks, and backbends on the floor, taking care of our lower backs and knees as we try these difficult, yet impressive movements. Tips for keeping your spine happy and healthy will be discussed throughout the workshop.


The Cymbalist Movement
Integrating Finger Cymbals into Your Dance

Experience Level: Intermediate beginner and above.
Finger cymbals are an integral part of American Tribal Style bellydance, and can be a lovely accompaniment to a solo performance. However, many dancers often feel daunted by cymbal playing and have been using them less and less... Finger cymbals aren't scary, and this workshop will help you approach cymbals as an instrument and as a way to enhance your performance. With the right exercises, anyone can play cymbals and dance! Asharah will lead you through an intense warm up, teach drills that layer movements and cymbal playing, introduce common cymbal patterns found in Middle Eastern music, and teach a short dance combination focusing on the playing of your cymbals with the music and your movements.

 

Asharah is available for workshops in the DC area and beyond. However, because of her busy schedule, she is currently unavailable to offer regular private lessons. Please e-mail her at asharah@asharah.com to inquire about sponsoring Asharah for a workshop in your area.

 
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