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Home Classes Workshops Yoga Yoga Meets Dance Tribe! F.A.Q. Bio Henna Links Contact Photo Gallery |
What should I wear to class? Comfortable clothing. We will be doing lots of movement & stretching. Yoga pants are ideal with a short or fitted top. You may want to add a sarong or skirt. If you have a favourite fringe shawl, you may want to accent your hips with this. However, I always have a basket of scarves available at class. This is a guideline. Wear what you will be most comfortable in. Do I have to show my belly? No. You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. If you do wear a longer top, it is better if it is more fitted as this allows the teacher to see your movements easier. What can I expect in class? You can expect my full attention, a supportive environment, and fun! Tribal Style teaches you to be aware of those around you, to trust them, and to stand proud. Tribal challenges the very notion of "me" and shifts your awareness to "us". This can be a challenge initially, but the benefits outweigh this if you stick with it. Do I have to know other forms of belly dance before I try Tribal Style? No. Tribal Style is grounded in Middle Eastern dance, so you will learn the basic movements. You may find that Tribal is not for you, and this is okay. I can refer you to other teachers in town who teach different styles of dance. I've never danced before, will this be too difficult? You may find it challenging at first, as with starting any new activity. Your body has to become familiar with the movements and the language. If you are feeling discouraged at any time, please don't hesitate to talk to me about this. Remember, you are in a supportive environment. Do I have to perform? No. This is a decision that you need to feel ready for. There are opportunities to perform in a safe space, such as in class drumming sessions & haflas. I am striving to create a sense of community with this dance form and at no time will you be pressured to perform. If you have thought about what your goals are with dancing, it is helpful for me to know them. What kind of commitment do I have to make? Tribal Basics and Cues, Transitions, & Combinations classes are drop in or you can purchase a class package, which is good for a year from date of purchase. Sessions at the YMCA & Yoga-to-Go Studio are priced a bit differently (see http://www.yogatogo.ca†for more information). In terms of dance commitment, that is up to you. If down the road you join our performance tribe, you will be required to make a commitment to practices. I've danced before so can I skip the classes and just perform? If you are new to my classes, you will need to take classes before performing with our tribe. This will give you a feel for my teaching and dance style; allow us to get to know each other; allow you to meet others in the tribe; and give you a sense of whether or not you might like to perform with us. Dancing in a Tribe is as much about the energy of each person as it is about the skill. Is it true that American Tribal Style is improvisational? Yes ATS is improvisational, based on awareness of the other dancers, understanding the cues, and knowing the language of the movements, which are stylistically different from other forms of Middle Eastern dance. Is it true that ATS is simply dancing with one person leading? Yes and no. While there is a leader, there can be more than one leader, depending on presentation (background & foreground), and the leaders can change at any time. In Tribal, you need to be very in tune with the dancers around you and the energy that is being created. Now that I am dancing, where can I find costumes!? I can help you with patterns for items, or direct you to others who sew. We try to gather for sewing/costuming parties every few months, and I will let you know when we do this. Second hand stores are great, and there are lots of on line resources, some of which are in the links section. General Class Etiquette
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