Category: bellydance classes

Audra Simmons at Mahasti – Modern Bellydance Workshop in Hamilton

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Sat April 8th
Arms and Hands 11-1PM
Join Audra for a workshop designed to help you develop beautiful, fluid arms and hands.
 
We’ll begin with exercises for finding and mobilizing the upper back and shoulder blades, then move into elbows, wrists and fingers.
 
Then, with Dark Side style, Audra will begin to add details to create further depth of movement, as well as introduce emotive qualities to these movements, as we bring them into short combinations.
 
No previous Dark Side experience is required, though some belly dance experience is suggested. Suitable for all levels.
 
 
Technique Spotlight 1:30-3:30
This workshop will focus on deepening your understanding and execution of fundamental hip, chest and abdominal movements as we deconstruct the basics in this fun, sweaty workshop!
 
We’ll refine your technique and enhance your muscular control in stationary and moving drills, adding complexity and layers as we go. We’ll see how much we can pile on, where and how it falls apart, and talk about how we can work to be able to do it all.
 
No previous Dark Side experience is required, though some belly dance experience is suggested, not for absolute beginners. Suitable for all levels.
 
1 workshop $45 ($39.82 + tax)
2 workshops $75 ($66.37 + tax)
 
Online payment:
 
 
Etransfer to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com
Cash payments also accepted at the studio.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/759292027566092

Holiday Schedule

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holiday-schedule-picholiday-2016-schedulepwyc-dec-jan

We are running on a slightly modified schedule during the holidays.  There will be no Tuesday or Thursday classes.  We will be extending your class cards an extra 2 weeks to make up for it.

Thurs Dec 22, Tues Dec 27, Thurs Dec 29, Tues 1/3  – no regular class instead 7:30-9PM Pay What You Can

Sat Dec 24, Sat Dec 31 (regular schedule)

10-10:30 AM Caregiver  & Me Kids Bellydance

10:45AM Bellydance Basics (Drop ins welcome)

11:50 Top 40 Bellydance Choreography

12:55 Modern Bellydance Choreography

Mon Dec 26, Mon Jan 2 (regular schedule)

7PM Bellydance Basics (Drop ins welcome)

8:15PM Turkish Bellydance Choreography

Wed Dec 28, Jan 4 (regular schedule)

7PM Egyptian Bellydance Choreography

8:15PM Modern Bellydance Choreography

If you want to dance, we are here for you.  If you’re a bit busy, enjoy the 2 week extension on your class card & come back refreshed in the new year.  As ever, if you have questions please contact Eshe at eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

We’re located at 1 West Ave S, Suite 300 (3F), Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

hamiltonbellydance.com

Upcoming Bellydance Workshops

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springworkshops

We are so excited to bring to you some of the brightest stars in the Canadian bellydance scene.  Taking workshops with other instructors is a great way to expand your dance vocabulary, come at your practice from a new angle, learn new ways of creating & being creative as well as meeting other dancers.

Part of our mission at Mahasti is also to support those within our community.

Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dance artist based out of Toronto as well as 1/3 of the renowned dance company Ya Amar.  She’ll be bringing us her signature flawless Egyptian Bellydance on Sat 3/11 and then staying in town to dance at Harem that night in The Casbah.

Sun 3/26 we are having a Fusion Intensive.  Fusion as the name implies is dance mixology, infusing bellydance with other movement practices.  Jackie Pullar from Wild Orchid Bellydance in Hamilton, Zahira from Dragonfly Bellydance in Toronto & Ishra of Invoketress in Guelph will be joining forces to bring you 3 different, playful offerings.

Sat 4/8 will have Audra of The Dark Side Studio & Lavish in Toronto visiting us.  She is a bellydance pioneer.  After her workshops she’ll be dancing that night at Harem in The Casbah.

More details coming soon.

 

Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance Workshop in Hamilton 

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props101

Tuesday 11/8
6:20PM Bellydance with Veil
7:30PM Bellydance with Fans
8:40PM Folklore with Cane (Stick/Assaya)

Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance with Props

No donation is too small. Total beginners welcome. No experience necessary. We have free loaner props available for students to borrow.

100% of donations will go to Thrive Child and Youth Trauma Services.

“THRIVE Child and Youth Trauma Services provides professional assessment and trauma treatment services, as well as prevention and educational programs. Our treatment programs include comprehensive assessment and specialized treatment for children and youth in our community who have been sexually abused, have been involved in intrafamilial sexual abuse (children and youth within the same family), or have problem sexual behaviours. We also offer services to address the unique needs of refugee and immigrant children and youth experiencing trauma symptoms or significant acculturation stress as well as support to their families.”

We are located at 1 West Ave S, Suite 300, Hamilton, ON. We are near the Canadian Tire downtown & across the street from the First Place building.

RSVP to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

Each month Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium offers Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance workshops. We want to bring affordable art & culture classes to the community while also supporting local charities that enrich the lives of Canadians.

We will also be raffling off bellydance lessons at Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium & tickets to a future Harem at Harem vol 14 – Bellydance Show in Hamilton @ The Casbah in support of Thrive.

In April we raised $530 for Sacha Hamilton
In May we raised $300 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
In June we raised $130 for the youth of Attawapiskat.
In July we raised $230 for Sacha Hamilton.
In August we raised $120 for Essential Aid and Family Services of Ontario inc.
In September we raised $85 for Food4Kids as well as $385 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
In October we raised $80 for Immigrants Working Centre
Since opening in April, we’ve raised $1860 for local & Canadian charities.props101

Kids Bellydance Class 

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Not just for mommies & daughter’s but any care-giver & child.

Learn Bellydance while having fun together Saturday mornings 10-10:30AM.

We recommend this class for kids 3-10 but if your child is a little younger or a little older & would enjoy the experience you’re welcome to come along. 1 drop in class is $10 (including taxes). 4 classes are $30 (including taxes).

We start with a short warm-up then move on to exercises & games to develop skill, posture, range of motion, flexibility or technique. Each class we also explore a bit of choreography.

If you have an older child, we recommend regular Bellydance classes. We offer 50% regular prices for full-time students buying regular class cards.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Contact eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

1 West Ave S Suite 300 (3F) Hamilton

hamiltonbellydance.com

Bellydance & Bollywood Workshops Sun 9/18

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This Sunday join us for an Intro to Lebanese workshop 10-11:10 with Star Bellydancer Canada 2015 Peggy. After Bellydance stay for Bollywood with Faith! She’ll be teaching technique from 11-1 and then choreography from 2-4.

1 West Ave S Suite 300 Hamilton ON Canada

Parking is free at the rear of the studio (any spot but 3 or 10) & surrounding side streets.

No experience necessary for either workshop.

We have a full kitchen with stove, microwave, fridge, etc on site if you wish to bring your lunch or there are nearby 1 minute walking-distance dining options such as Tim Norton’s & Dennigers in addition to convenience stores.

hamiltonbellydance.com

eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

To pay online, visit our store: https://mahasti.ecwid.com/

Lebanese Bellydance 101 – Pay What You Can Karma Workshop

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Join Star Bellydance of Canada 2015 as she shares “Lebanese Bellydance 101” for our monthly installment of Pay What You Can Workshops.

Sunday 9/18

10AM-11:10AM

Peggy will be sharing a beginner level workshop covering the basics of Lebanese Bellydance.

No donation is too small.  No experience necessary. All money collected goes to Food4Kids.

Mahasti
1 West Ave S, Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Hamilton, ON
hamiltonbellydance.com
RSVP eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

In April we raised $530 for Sacha Hamilton
In May we raised $300 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
In June we raised $130 for the youth of Attawapiskat.
In July we raised $230 for Sacha Hamilton.
In August we raised $120 for Essential Aid and Family Services of Ontario inc.
We have raised $1310 for our community since April. Be part of it, in September join us to raise money for Food4Kids.

A bit about Food4Kids
It was assessed 1,500 children in Hamilton and 400 children in Halton were going without food each and every weekend. A program model was developed with a focus on 3 distinct areas:

1)Food provided to children at-risk would be healthy

2)Each child in the home would receive their own food package, to ensure nourishment of all children in the home

3) The program model would ensure a non-stigmatizing process of food distribution to participants

Today, 1335 healthy food packages are distributed in 89 schools throughout Hamilton and Halton.

 

August Bellydance Schedule

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Our August session will begin on the 2nd.  By demand we’re bringing back “Top 40 Bellydance” & by request we’re introducing kids classes on Saturdays.

If there’s every a day, time or class you’re interested in, but we’re not offering, let us know! eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

We want to serve all of the Hamilton community! Kids classes will be open to children 3-7 as well as their caregivers. Bellydance is a social dance suitable for both girls & boys. At this young age, we will be focusing mostly on basic dance technique, learning dance class etiquette & fun! Parents & caregivers are encouraged to stay & welcome to participate if they desire. The first class will be Saturday, August 6th.

$10 drop in or 4 classes for $30 per child. $15 drop in $45 for 4 classes for 2 siblings.

Saturdays 10-10:30AM. 1 West Ave S, Suite 300, Hamilton, ON

 

 

Your First Bellydance Class at Mahasti

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WHERE

1 West Ave S, Suite 300 (3rd floor) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

We are near the Canadian Tire downtown, directly adjacent to First Place.

PARKING

There is parking at the building.  You may use any spot except 3 or 10.

RESERVATION

It’s unnecessary to make a reservation but we always welcome a heads-up if you’re new to the studio & coming for the first time.  We can let the instructor know to expect you & show you around.  Let us know at eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

REGISTRATION

If you have purchased a class card from Groupon please print out & bring the purchase form with you.  Groupon does not collect the taxes, please bring them with you.  $39 class cards = $5. $55 class card = $7.

There is no registration process but we invite you to arrive 5 minutes early to class.

EXPIRATION

Your class card is good for 3 months.  So if you buy it Jan 5th it expires April 5th.  You may use your class card as quickly as you like.

If you finish all of your classes within the 3 months & would like to buy additional classes to use within the same period you may “top up” your class card.

WHAT TO WEAR

We dance barefoot.  Please wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in.  Most women wear yoga or workout gear.  If you have a hipscarf feel free to bring it with you.

You may wish to dress in layers according to the weather.

WHAT TO BRING

You may wish to bring water & a face towel with you.

FACILITIES

We have 2 bathrooms, a kitchen (with a microwave, fridge, sofa, oven, sink) as well as a sink in the studio.

CLASS STRUCTURE

We have a 5-10 minute warm-up, 40-50 minutes of class and a 5-10 minute cool down.  If you require additional stretching feel free to start before class or continue after the teacher has finished (until the next class starts).

YOUR FIRST DANCE CLASS?

If this is your first time ever dancing or bellydancing we recommend the basics class.  All other classes are beginner or beyond beginner level.

WHEN WILL IT START TO FEEL MORE NATURAL?

Generally, at the end of 8 classes or 2 months.  There is still much growth to be done but at that time you may start to feel the moves flowing a bit easier.

WHAT TO FOCUS ON?

In Bellydance we build from the floor up.  First we get the feet moving, then add hips & bodywork, then arms and the last piece of the puzzle is usually expression.

If you’re finding class challenging focus on just getting the feet right.  If that feels good, add the body & hip work. If all of that is flowing you can throw in the arms.  Still grooving? Work on the expression & feeling.

CLASS ETIQUETTE

Please arrive on time & put your phone on mute.  Listen to your body 1st and the instructor 2nd.   You will at times feel effort you should never feel pain.    Ask questions to the instructor (each class has only 1). Avoid giving instructions, advice or corrections if you’re not the instructor.  Be kind to yourself.

WHO IS THE BOSS?

You are.

Please ask if you’d like to see a move one more time, go a bit slower or a bit faster.  We are here to help you on your journey in dance.

We are always interested in your feedback after the lesson or through email eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

WHEN CAN I START?

Basics classes are not cumulative so you can begin them at any point in time.  We also have on-going drop-in classes that are friendly to those with unpredictable schedules or whom don’t wish to learn choreography.

Our sessions follow the moon calendar.  Generally they are 4-6 weeks long.  If you miss the first few weeks you are still welcome to join a choreography class.  Please recognize if you are new to dance or the studio, it may be more challenging for you than for someone who has attended since the beginning of the session.  Being gentle with yourself & your expectations is key.

CAN I PERFORM?

We have a monthly event called “Harem” on the 2nd Saturday of every month where all studio dancers are invited to share their dance.