CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
EMBODIED MOVEMENT
Embodied Movement is a trauma-informed, facilitated, somatic, conscious movement practice that includes psychoeducation on nervous system regulation and tools for resilience and somatic resourcing. It’s the ultimate self care tool and your weekly date with yourself. Truly nourishing and accessible, this practice really is for EVERY body (it can even be done from bed!) This class is an opportunity to get in touch with your body's innate wisdom, reclaim healing movements and gestures, learn somatic resources, become friends with your body, and move in a way that feels GOOD!!! This practice is all about how movement (or stillness) FEELS - not how it looks, or any "shoulds". Cameras can be on/off and participants are encouraged to make the practice feel safe and sacred to them. Intro Workshop available on demand to try it out before committing.
Each session includes:
-Didactic learning: an introduction to the theme/concept of the week.
-Guidance INTO your body through sensation and non-judgemental awareness.
-Invitational prompts to explore your own organic movement impulses.
-Integration and grounding, then extra time at the end for (optional) sharing or discussion.
-Some sessions will include more psychoeducation and somatic resource exploration, others will be purely guided movement practice. Almost all sessions will include beautiful music.
You may want:
-Space to move around in (but again this can also be done from bed or the floor), that feels safe, and with minimal/no interuptions.
-A yoga mat or rug for working on the floor, cushions for sitting or laying down if you'd like.
-Good speakers or headphones to enjoy the music.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
For EVERY BODY. It's about listening to YOUR body's needs and wants, which doesn't require any specific skill, ability, or explicit movement. Some folks do this practice from bed, or a wheelchair, or even while having an embodied nap or walk. May not be best suited for deaf folks at this time.
ONLINE: Live on Zoom, Recordings included.
Recordings available for the duration of the course plus an extra 2 weeks.
Weekly 75min sessions run as progressive seasonal series.
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Special loyalty discounts for returning students.
Return to Embodied Movement page for dates, time, price and to register
HATHA YOGA
My Hatha Yoga classes are the perfect way to destress, connect to your body, and improve flexibility and presence. This practice is about slowing down and tuning in…not turning yourself into a pretzel. Here we focus on mindfulness, meditation, and breath, while moving through a gentle flow of stretches and poses designed to facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual relaxation, and revitalization. Classes include a short opening meditation, a slow flow through a variety of gentle poses, then ending with a short shivasana and closing meditation.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
Students will be asked to watch a short intro video.
ON-DEMAND: Previously recorded archived Zoom recordings.
60-75min sessions.
1 Year access from time of purchase
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Return to Yoga page for price and to register.
BEGINNER BELLYDANCE
Dive into the beautiful world of Arabic dance and music! In this progressive, full-experience course, you will learn about the history and cultural context of Raqs Sharqi/Raqs Beledi (aka "bellydance"). Learn correct posture and alignment, breakdown and drill basic isolations and movements of this beautiful Middle Eastern art form in a safe, inclusive, body-positive, learning-focused environment from dedicated teacher Rahel, AND get a great workout! For class, wear comfortable, breathable clothes you can move in. Bare feet are best but socks, ballet slippers or jazz shoes work too.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
Students will be required to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context on their own time prior to attending class.
IN-PERSON: at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre.
Weekly 75min sessions on run as seasonal progressive series.
Drop-ins for returning students ONLY.
Save 10% on early bird registration until 1 week before 1st class.
Note: all registration AFTER the first class has passed requires permission from instructor.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for dates, time, address, price and to register.
BELLYDANCE FUNDAMENTALS
Everything you need to lay a solid foundation for your dance. This is like Beginner 2.0 or Beginner Plus. Everything you’d learn in Beginner (see above) and MORE! In this comprehensive pre-recorded, high quality On-Demand course, you will learn posture and alignment, history and cultural content, nearly 50 different movements (with technical breakdown and drills), 8 mini combos and one master combo to put it all together. This is the perfect bridge between Beginner and Intermediate, or a practice companion or replacement for beginner, or a great way to review the basics. Comes with a PDF with time stamps for each move and section so you can easily navigate around the course to review or skip specifics.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
Students will be required to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context on their own time prior to the first class.
ONLINE: On Demand. Pre-recorded in 4K.
10 Modules (each 1-2 hours) plus a bonus module with a master combo.
1 Year access from time of purchase
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for price and to register.
INT BELLYDANCE
INTERMEDIATE BELLYDANCE DRILLS+COMBOS
Bellydance for more experienced dancers. Here we will break down technique, practice (or "drill") movements, and put them together in fun little combinations (or "combos"). Options will be given to make moves easier or harder to accommodate dancers of various levels, ranging from intermediate to advanced. Some weeks will be more focused on technique, others on drilling and combos, and sometimes even a little improvisation!
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED; Minimum one complete beginner course, preferably with Rahel, or at least a year of other bellydance experience. Students will be required to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context on their own time prior to attending class.
IN-PERSON: at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre.
Weekly 75min sessions run as seasonal progressive series.
Drop-ins for returning students ONLY.
Save 10% on early bird registration until 1 week before 1st class.
Note: all registration AFTER the first class has passed requires permission from instructor.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for dates, time, address, price and to register.
INT/ADV BELLYDANCE CHOREO
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED BELLYDANCE CHOREOGRAPHY
Choreography for intermediate to advanced dancers. Each series you will learn a full length choreography to a single song over course of the several months. Learn context, lyrics/translation (where applicable), stylization, musicality, transitions, stage presence and more. We will also breakdown the technique for more advanced level moves as they show up in the piece. Modifications offered by request.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: For intermediate to advanced level dancers. Suggested 2-3 years experience, preferably with Rahel.
Students will be required to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context on their own time prior to attending class.
ONLINE: Live on Zoom, Recordings included.
Recordings available for the duration of the course plus an extra 2 weeks.
Weekly 75min sessions run as progressive seasonal series.
NO drop ins.
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Special loyalty discounts for returning students.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for dates, time, price and to register.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR VEIL
A comprehensive 3 part series all about veil! Learn tips and tricks to help you gain more grace, control and confidence with the veil. Includes history, concepts, technique, movements, drills, and combos. A fabulous learning tool kit whether you're brand new to veil or are an experienced practitioner ready to take your skills to the next level. In this 3 part series, learn increasingly difficult technique, moves, and combos with each module, ranging from beginner to advanced. This technique is specific to SILK. A 3.5 yard 5-6 momme silk (or synthetic alternative) veil is recommended.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. While the first module covers beginner veil technique, a minimum of beginner to advanced level bellydance experience is highly recommended.
Students will be required to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context on their own time prior to the first class.
ONLINE: On Demand. Pre-recorded in 4K.
3 Modules (each 1-2 hours).
1 Year access from time of purchase
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for price and to register.
PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY
This 2.25hr lecture covers almost all there is to know about performance psychology. The first part of the lecture dives deep into performance anxiety and managing stage fright for a more grounded, present performance. This includes understanding some nervous system basics, foundational knowledge on stress and performance anxiety, managing stage fright, creating compassion and cognitive reframing of our body's response to fear, understanding why performing feels scary from a developmental and evolutionary perspective, and some psychological and psycho-spiritual approaches to making performing less intimidating, as well as practical tips for making maximining your performances. The second section touches on stage presence and emotional expression, including face and body language, breath, and mapping out the emotional landscape of your piece.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
While this lecture does not require any experience, it is targeted towards dancers interested in or with experience in performing.
ONLINE: On Demand. Pre-recorded in 4K.
One 2.5 hour lecture style workshop with visual slide presentation.
1 Year access from time of purchase
Save 10% when you take multiple classes at once.
Save 20% when you refer a friend.
Return to Bellydance Classes page for price and to register.