Belly Dancing
Class description
"A woman is the guardian and hostess of the earth. As the bearer of life, she stands closest to birth and death, thus closest to life and to the earth. This linking, life itself, is a woman's true space." - Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi, Grandmother's Secrets
This class is designed to encompass the theory, practice, and heart of belly dance, offering a sacred and holistic approach to the dance and the culture behind the dance. The class will include the practice of ancient, dreamlike movement, working with shapes and floor patterns as a group, upbeat movements to modern music that could be used to dance socially or for performance, as well as classical oriental dance movements known as Raks Sharqi or Bellydance. Each movement will be broken down to explain their deep spiritual meaning and also their therapeutic and beneficial affects on both the body and mind. The class will be a balance between working the muscles in the body, meditation for the mind, and individual artistic expression for the spirit. Culture, music, dress, and literature surrounding the dance will also be discussed. Women of all ages and cultures are encouraged to participate. Bellydance can teach a new attitude and approach to life, it can open our minds and spirits up to endless possibilities of self expression.
Teacher's Biograpy
Sultana has loved to express herself through movement with music since before she could walk. She began her dance training at the age of 5 in jazz, tap, and ballet, performing in innumerable shows and competitions. Her inspiration for movement, music, and dance comes from the emotions, mysteries, and journeys experienced in life. Since her discovery of Middle Eastern dance it has become her passion and mission to pass on the deep wisdom contained in the mystical vocabulary of this ancient art. She has studied extensively in the United States and Egypt with renowned teachers such as Jehan Kamal, Cassandra Shore, Nourhan Sharif, Azza Amon, Ranya Renee, Yousry Sharif, and Egypt's most famous choreographer and performer, Mahmoud Reda. She is a member of the Temple of Jehan and the performing theatrical group, Bellydance Raks Stars, which carries on the philosophy of sacred bellydance - that it is an ancient art form, which is healing and empowering for women of all backgrounds and walks of life. Sultana is currently one of the popular soloist dancers in the New York night club and hookah lounge scene, performing at various venues throughout the NYC area. She holds dance very close to her heart and hopes to enlighten others through performing and teaching.