What qualifications and experience do you have to teach?
I’ve been belly dancing since June 2010. I started with Oriental style, and after a while I took on FCBD Style (often known as “tribal belly dance”) and Fusion. I’ve continued taking classes and workshops as much as possible, including technique and performance intensives with dancers like Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Sharon Kihara, Kami Liddle, Samantha Emmanuel and Silvia Salamanca for fusion style, and Kelly Beeston, Wendy Allen, Sandi Ball, Kristine Adams, Devi Mamak, and two sets of Tamarind Transformations Intensives with Elizabeth Fish, for FCBD Style. In 2017 I took FCBD’s General Skills and Teacher Training. I take monthly classes with my teacher Mai Roma, focusing on FCBD with Fan technique.
In adition, I have completed five years of classical musical training at the National Conservatoire in Buenos Aires. I have also completed the Lego Maqam Experience with Maya Youssef, and I’m working through her Maqam training, to complement my knowledge of Western music with training on Middle Eastern music from a local teacher. I have completed the Dance Teacher Toolbox training with Calaneya that includes specialised and up to date scientific training on delivering a safe dance class, psychology of learning, teaching mixed level groups, and emotional competence. I am also fully insured both for teaching and performing in public, and used to teaching a diverse range of ages and body types.
Who can attend the classes?
The classes and workshops are open to anybody above 16 years old, willing to learn, regardless of gender or size. If you have special needs that you need to discuss, please get in touch before attending
What do I need to wear? Do I need to show my belly?
You should wear comfortable, breathable clothing that shows the body’s outline. Leggings and a tank top are perfectly fine, you can wear a skirt over the leggings if it makes you feel more comfortable. A light shawl or scarf for your hip if you have it, but there will be some to borrow. Please no coin belts, they make noise and they will interfere with students hearing instructions.
What do I need to bring?
A water bottle, a towel if you get sweaty. A notebook and pen if you like taking notes. After a few classes, you will also need finger cymbals. If you need advice on where to obtain the cymbals, please get in touch.
Do I need any special shoes?
Traditionally, belly dance is performed barefoot. If you need to wear insoles or supportive footwear, you need shoes that will allow you to pivot easily without groves or extra grip in the bottom. Dance trainers are a good option. If you need further advice, please get in touch.
What should I expect?
A warm up to get your body moving and pump up your heart rate. Some work on isolations and basic movements to gain the building blocks of our core movements, followed by drills. As students progress, we will work on combos and eventually small choreographies.
Is this dance style for me?
“I’m too __”: You don’t need to have a particular age bracket or body type to dance, as it evolved from folkloric and social dances that are done by every body. I make a point to encourage body positivity and self belief in my classes.
“I don’t like dancing in public”
You don’t need to perform, and can just attend classes and do it for fun, with no pressure. Even if you eventually decide you want to perform, the focus is often on the group, not on any particular individual unless doing a solo.
What are the benefits?
Regular activity is great for your general health. Dancing can be a type of cardio, which happens to improve coordination and balance. While bellydancing, your pelvic floor gets a nice workout. Recent studies have pointed to group or partner dancing as also improving fine motor control and neurological connections, so it’s great for your brain too! And over all, it’s FUN.
Anything else?
The style works on connecting dancers, so it is great for social interaction. Posture and self image can improve too.
How can I contact you?
If you want to attend classes in either area, or you are interested in any of the offerings, you have several ways of contacting me.
via Facebook: request membership to the classes group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/651846228673416
via Instagram:
send me a direct message;
https://www.instagram.com/_ana.dancer_/
If you prefer text, whatsapp or email, send me a quick message through either of the above saying that you are interested in classes. For safety reasons I’d rather initiate contact via social media channels first, and offer email or phone numer privately.