Keep Cool and Bellydance with Alia

Belly dancing doesn't require a bare belly! So put that idea to the side! This Summer class will be a slower, gentler Bellydance session with our wonderful teacher Alia, utilising flowing scarves to better visualise our movements.

Belly dancing is a wonderful form of movement and dance that focuses on isometric exercises, where one muscle group works in the opposite direction to other muscle groups.

It's such an effective form of exercise as it doesn't require going down to the floor, or stretching beyond any comfort zone. But it does allow a fascinating journey of ancient dance wisdom to exercise all 800 muscles of the body from toes to head! Belly dancing can also be as expressive or as practical as you choose.

Come and try something new in a fun and friendly environment, loosen up your whole body, and maybe even fall back in love with our under-appreciated bellies!

What will we cover?

In this workshop we will explore:

• Warm ups and safe dance/movement techniques
• An introduction to Middle Eastern dance and dance fusions
• Learning traditional dance combinations and muscle movements from belly dancing cultures
• A cool down based on belly yoga (again standing or chair-based, no floor work)

This is a total beginners class, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with no floor-based activity.

Please wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement (jeans not recommended!). The venue is carpeted and will be shoes off.

Scarves provided, but feel free to bring your own - the longer and floatier the better!

Accessibility

• Wheelchair Accessible Venue
• Gender Neutral Bathrooms
• Quiet Spaces
• Free Tickets for First Nation Attendees

Who will be Teaching? 

Deborah Kananghinis (she/her), who also goes by her stage name Alia, is a Bellydancer and Teacher with over 30 years of international experience. She has danced professionally in Egypt, and has taught, performed and delivered workshops in the USA, Singapore, New Zealand and around Australia.

Deb's background is Ethnic Gypsy, so she's grown up with belly dancing as culture, and her own family lineage goes from NZ (where she was born and grew up), to the UK, the Middle East and to the Berber people of Morocco.

Deb is also part of LOTUS - a group dedicated to honouring and sharing ancient traditions of MENAGaT (Middle Eastern, North African, Greek & Turkish) dance traditions, in their performances and in their teaching.

Important info:

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Photo by Gianluca Carenza on Unsplash

Other questions or accessibility requests? Just shoot an email us at melbourne@lanewaylearning.com.