November-January Intersession--2011-2012
Join us for these fun and exciting classes designed to help you keep growing as a dancer and help you stay in shape over the holiday season--check it out!
Click on the class titles or scroll down for class descriptions.
| Introductory Belly Dance Sampler (Beginner/returning Level 1) - January: 1/5, 12/12, 12/19 | |
| Thursdays 7:30-9:00 p.m. (1-1/2 hours) Studio: South Minneapolis - Sun Room (Mpls-SR) | |
| Raq-erobique (SM) World Dance Workout (All levels) - November-December: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/28 | |
| Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. (1 hour) Studio: South Minneapolis - Sun Room (Mpls-SR) | |
| Level 1 and 1+ Belly Dance Foundations (Beginner through Level 1+) December-January: 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/29 | |
| Thursdays 11:30-1:00 p.m. (1-1/2 hours) Studio: South Minneapolis - Sun Room (Mpls-SR) | |
| Technique & Specialty Concentration Series (Level 2+ through advanced) - November-January: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/28, 1/4, 1/11 | |
| Wednesdays 7:40-9:10 p.m. (1-1/2 hours) Studio: South Minneapolis - Sun Room (Mpls-SR) | |
| Ballet Skills in Belly Dance Combinations - December: 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/29 | |
| Thursdays 7:30-9:00 p.m. (1-1/2 hours) Studio: Inver Grove - Fred Astaire (IGH-FA) | |
| Advanced Belly Dance Technique and Styles (ongoing) - November-December: 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 | |
| Saturdays 11:30-1:00 p.m. (1-1/2 hours) with Mirah Ammal Studio: Minneapolis CPA-Sun Room (IGH-FA) |
Registration & Fees:
90 min. classes (regular classes & some specialty sessions)
$13.00 for a single class
$60.00 for a 5-class gypsy card (good for three months)
$110.00 for a 10-class gypsy card (good for 19 weeks)
Gypsy cards can be used for any regular 1-1/2 hour Aalim School class, any level, at either the Minneapolis or Inver Grove locations.
60 min classes (e.g. Raq-erobique)
$10.00 for a single class
$36.00 for a four week session
Registration for November, December and January Intersession Classes:
Register in advance, or reserve your spot by emailing your name, address, and phone number along with the classes you plan to attend to: info@albahira.org. (Reserving your spot ensures there is space and materials for all class attendees, and also allows us to notify you if there is any change to the schedule due to weather or other circumstance.) To register, go to the online registration or printable mail-in registration form.
Class Descriptions
Introductory Belly Dance Sampler
Time: Thursdays 7:30-9:00 p.m. Studio: Mpls-SR
Dates: Jan. 5-19
Level: Appropriate for first time beginners seeking an introduction to the form, and for returning level 1 students looking to review foundational technique.
Class description: This class is geared toward new students who wish to get a taste for belly dance classes to determine whether belly dance is right for them, or for continuing level 1 students looking to stay in shape and refine skills between sessions. No prior dance experience is required. The class will focus on the fundamental elements of belly dance--muscle isolations, dance conditioning, basic movements, and dance combinations--but will approach them as more of a "sampler" than a methodical course.
What should I wear? Dress comfortably for movement in workout-type clothing. Many people wear yoga pants, a leotard or similar attire with a tank top or t-shirt. Most students and instructors dance barefoot, but if you wish you may wear ballet slippers or other dance shoes. Jeans are typically not comfortable, and outdoor shoes and athletic shoes are not permitted.
What happens next? For new students who wish to continue, the next step after this class would be to enroll in a Level 1 class (the Level 1 sessions begin the week of January 23.) This class does not replace Level 1. Most students will need to take Level 1 more than once (or a Beginner class followed by one or more sessions of Advanced Beginner or Mixed Level class) to master the basics and be ready to move on to higher level classes.
Am I limited to signing up for the Level 1 class that meets at this time and location? No. You can sign up for any Level 1 class at either Aalim School location.
How do I register? Click on a registration link below for registration, fees and policies. Please note: we typically only contact registrants before the session begins if there is a change or a problem with the registration. If you require a confirmation, indicate this on your registration form. Otherwise, you may assume that if you send in your registration and do NOT get a call from us, everything is fine and you are registered! If you need to miss a class, you can take any other regular Aalim School class at either location as a make up class.
What if I start out by signing up for the sampler classes but then want to continue on to take the Winter Session classes and I would like to get a Gypsy card, can I apply the cost of this Introductory seminar to that gypsy card? Yes! When you decide you want to sign up for the winter session class, fill out a registration form for the Level 1 class. If you wish, instead of purchasing the regular full class session, you can get a 10-class gypsy card (10-class gypsy cards are good for about 19 weeks from the first date used, so you will have until mid May to use your remaining classes.) If you get a 10-class gypsy card, you may deduct the price of the introductory class from the price of the 10-class card and pay the balance for the card, which you may use toward any regular Aalim School 1-1/2 hour class. Note: You may NOT deduct the cost of the introductory class from a regular full session registration, and the 10-class gypsy card must be purchased by February 4 to qualify for the deduction.
Raq-erobique(SM) World Dance Workout
Time: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Studio: Mpls-SR
Dates: Nov. 30 - Dec.28 (no 12/21)
Level: Appropriate for first time beginners seeking an introduction to the form, and for returning level 1 students looking to review foundational technique.
Class description: Enjoy a fun workout filled with beautiful, exciting music and dance moves from around the world! Raq-erobique is a fitness class that incorporates dance elements from belly dance, Middle Eastern folklore, Bhangra/Bollywood, Persian, Turkish, North African, and Latin dance forms, emphasizing cardio and core muscle conditioning. The class is primarily low-impact with low-impact variations demonstrated for higher impact movements. No prior dance experience is required. Drop-ins are welcome.
Who is this class for? This class was designed in a 1-hour format for students who are looking for an fun alternative to (or addition to) traditional fitness classes and equipment. No dance experience is required, but dancers will find the drills and conditioning in this class helpful.
How is this class different from the Belly Dance Level 1 Foundations Class? Raq-erobique is intended as a fitness class, not dance instruction. Though the class will include a vocabulary of movements inspired by belly dance and other dance forms and will introduce core muscle isolation and dance conditioning elements, actually learning any of the aforementioned dance styles takes dedicated study of the particular form. For information about belly dance and folklore classes, contact the Aalim School or visit the classes page.
What to wear: Dress comfortably for movement in workout-type clothing. Many people wear yoga pants, a leotard or similar attire with a tank top or t-shirt. A soft-soled dance shoe (such as a ballet slipper, jazz shoe, or other thin, flexible-soled indoor shoe) is recommended. Outdoor shoes are not permitted.
Registration: Click on the registration form link below for registration. Drop-ins are welcome at any time, and you may register/pay the day of class, but please note: class size is limited to 15 students per day, so it is recommended you reserve your space in advance of the class you wish to attend. To reserve your spot, email mirah@albahira.org or call 612-703-7002 by 5:30 p.m. the day of class.
Level 1 and 1+ Belly Dance Foundations
Time: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Studio: Mpls-Sr
Dates: Nov. 30-Jan.11 (no 12/21)
Level: Returning level 1 students and first-time beginners.
Work toward mastering foundational belly dance technique and concepts. The class will focus on the building blocks of Middle Eastern dance to break down core movements, work on muscle isolations, address proper posture and conditioning for this dance form, introduce musicality considerations, and learn several dance combinations. No previous dance experience is required, but returning students will work on refining technique, learning new variations and committing dance elements to muscle memory.
Technique & Specialty Concentration Series
Time: Wednsdays 7:40-9:10 p.m. Studio: Mpls-Sr
Dates: Nov. 30-Jan.11 (no 12/21)
Level: Mixed Level for levels 2+ through professional. Students should have at least one session of level 2. Technique variations will be given for different levels.
In these sampler workshop classes you'll get special,
dedicated instruction in particular skill areas. You'll work toward mastering
dance techniques and skills in these areas, and be introduced to additional
techniques and variations to help you expand your dance horizons! (Several of these classes are 1-1/2 hour versions of 2-4 hour workshops Mirah offers.) Topics include:
Ballet Skills In Belly Dance Combinations
Time: Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Studio: IGH-FA
Dates: Dec. 1-Dec. 29 (no 12/22)
Level: Level 2 through Professional.
"Belly dance" incorporates ballet elements with traditional movement. Learn about these skills, specifically how these are used and modified in belly dance, and combinations you can use in your own performances. We'll address arms, traveling, turns, posture/lines, and veil use. No prior ballet experience is needed, but dancers who have taken Ballet for Belly Dance will find this class helps with the specific application of those skills.
Advanced Belly Dance Technique and Styles
(Recommended level 3+ or 4 and up): This class we will continue to build on the technique, skills, and styles developed in previous levels (including new finger cymbal patterns, new technique variations, more complex combinations, and increasing attention to layered movements.) However, there will also be more focus on exploring and developing your individual dance style. We will focus on creating dynamic combinations, exploring styles of belly dance and movement stylizations, musicality and rhythm, presentation, and improvisational skill development. The class will be rooted in Orientale/raks sharki, but will explore these other areas and specialties over a span of sessions: balance techniques (sword, pot, tray, etc.), floor work, urban balady, folkloric stylizations, tribal and neo-tribal fusion styles, ethno-fusion, and more. The class is taught as a mixed level class for upper level students--instructor feedback, focus and variations are tailored to the students at different levels.