Belly Dance, Hula, Zumba and World Dance Workouts are so much summer fun

3 01 2011

Have you ever wondered about what a Belly Dance, Hula or Yoga class is like…well jump in!  Below are the classes at Over the Top Studio in Dallas/Fort Worth…great affordable mini adventures… 

Belly Dance beginner class 101 Monday a.m.
9:00-10:00…..The ancient art of Belly Dance make a wonderful start to the week…new class…sign up
today! Come on in and see how fun a workout can be:0)

NEW- Zumba on Tuesday  and Thursday evening at 6:00 cost is $5, pay
by the class…no monthly commitment required…instructed by Zumba certified
instructor Candy Miller

Beautiful Belly Dance 102 Monday
evening 7:00-8:00 pm  (adv beginning intermediate) Our studio off of
114 is convenient to Grapevine, Keller, Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Trophy
Club, Flower Mound, the Mid Cities and Southlake. … placement required…

Beautiful Belly Dance 102 Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. (adv beginning/ intermediate) This is more advanced bellydance and great fun to expand on the inner Goddess…we are on the Southlake/Grapevine border…for this class placement required…

Beautiful Belly Dance 101 7:00 PM- For the beginner, belly dance is too much fun…start anytime learning this ancient art.

Beautiful Belly Dance 103/104 Wednesday 7:00-8:00 – Expand your knowlege of the beautiful art of Middle Eastern Belly Dance while working out and meeting other dancers with the same spirit! !..to register email nacheska@nacheska.com This is intermediate/advanced level. (advanced placement required)

Hula/Polynesian Class for Performance - Thursday 7:30-8:30 p.m. - This class is open to all ages of hula dancers and we do two types of Hula; Auana (modern) and Kahiko (ancient) This class explores the rich history of Hawaii through their specific dance style…this class on Tuesday is for those who will learn a basic knowledge of the moves and style of Hula and want to proceed with their training and perform.  The class is performance based…ongoing and…currently working on Tahitian studies (multi-level) come share aloha with us in our new studio and become a Texas Hula Honeys

Beautiful  Belly Dance multi level Saturday a.m. 9:30-10:30 -Start your weekend with a fun workout and dance the joy of
another day… join your sisters shimmying into the weekend! This is a multi-level class challenging the beginner and helping the intermediate/advanced
dancer keep her technique tuned…we have two spaces left…

Cost of dance
classes are $35/4 classes mo. $5 for each additional class
$10 per class is
the pay by the class rate; (this is good if you have a changing schedule or would like to try
a class…)  
Ask about our family discounts for dance…no other
fees apply…we are a not for profit studio.

Lessons at
our Private Studio or at your event:  Each private dance lesson is
one hour – and includes warm-up with gentle dance stretches, isolations, steps,
combinations as well as working on dance, choreography or specialty work;
Nacheska can also spice up your event with a program that will shimmy and shake
you up and give you a great overview of this amazing dance form.

Belly birthday- Spice up your birthday with you own private Belly Dance class for your friends at our studio…bring refreshments, a sense of humor and workout and giggle and wiggle….

Studio Locations:
 The studio is at 280 Commerce street in our new location…the
studio has it’s own entrance at the front left (entrance says Spanish school and
Renaissance Massage…we are upstairs in suite 245) 

Private Lesson Prices and
Information: There are lots of fun reasons for a Belly Dance Private
class…batchelorette party, friend/sister outing, club outing, or bring
Nacheska to your next meeting to speak about or teach Belly Dance or Hula…this
ancient art form is fascinating and she would love to tell or show you why.

$85 at our location for your group or
private…$100-125 at your location…these are approximate prices due to vary
based on drive times, events, amenities, amount of students etc….call us. We would love to share our love for the dance with
you …these private classes are 1 hour and you are
welcome to bring refreshments with you to enhance your celebration

Phone: 817.798.7185

Happy Shimmies,

Nacheska


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Why can’t you start a dance class at any time?

30 03 2010
belly dance class, nacheska teaching

Nacheska teaching

As a former teacher of ballet, modern, jazz, and tap and a current teacher of Belly Dance, Hula, and Childrens theater, I get a lot of “interested in signing up” calls.  Often you will find that a studio cannot take you straight away.  This is for several reasons.  Dance is like building something…the teacher will give you the foundation (which is called technique) and then build on it piece by piece (making single moves or techniques into combinations) and finally you have a completed structure…(a dance or series of dances)  When there is an established class over two months old, they are a bit ahead of you so the teacher/instructor may feel that you would be behind (left out) of the growing process….

Some of my classes can be attended by someone new at any time if they are very beginning…but at the end of a season, the dancers in the beginning class are ahead of any basic beginner and to keep them back at the expense of a new beginner is just not fair.  They also may be working on a dance which takes up a large chunk of class time so a new student would just have to watch or “fake it”…

Usually I only have one month a season where I do not take new students…just before the show and promotion of the dancers to the next level…so if you call a dance school and they cannot welcome you right away, then mark your calendar for the next season or call another school that may be on a different schedule…you will love dancing and the performance arts…dance is life at it’s best.


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The Aging Dancer

29 11 2009

As an aging dancer over 50, I have noticed in the last year physiological traits such as joint stiffness and foot sensitivity to abrupt pressure. (Metatarsal pain not exactly Metatarsalgia)  I am certain these are common to other aging dancers but uncertain whether this might be common to all aging folks of other occupations.  I still dance at least 5 to 12 times (hours) weekly teaching classes or just putting together choreography but I do not noticed increase or decrease in these new aches and pains if I move more or less (though I rarely move less).  After exploring articles on the internet, I found very few, if any about the “aging” dancer and how we might age differently than other folks.   Should I expect more joint pain or less…am I susceptible to more arthritis or less?  What about hips…are they more likely to break because of mileage or less likely because of good nutrition and exercise?  This blog is a call to other dancers of any venue who might have insight into how a dancer ages differently because of the stresses we subject our body to…I have done extensive (in order of the most to least) Modern, Belly Dance, Ballet, Gymnastics, Hula, Tap, Flamenco, Ballroom…what about you?  Is this related to folks who have parents with arthritis…do dancers get arthritis more or less and what factors do genetics play…Can you share your experience and articles with me?


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Belly Dance makes you Beautiful

25 07 2009
Dancers of Odyssey
Dancers of Odyssey

There is a magic to BellyDance that is different for everyone…it embraces you in it’s ancient arms as a wonderful dance for young and (in my case) old whether you have absolutely no dance experience or have danced all your life.  Wow!  It absolutely has the power to transform your life and each dancer has a different story.  Let me share a few…

One of my students was going through a horrible divorce, had put on 60 pounds and was feeling overwhelmed, sad, and ugly.  She related to me that literally this one little class I was teaching at a local recreation center was the one bright spot during very depressing, “just get to the next moment” days.  I moved to my own studio and she followed as an avid student.   She wound up being the absolute best dancer in my troupe, an high energy teacher and was a joy to watch and see with her sparkling smile and silly demeanor on stage.
Another stopped me after class to tell me that she started the class when her children were gone from home to fill a void and curiosity…now she actually has trained well and teaches this class herself.
My story as a dance teacher of Ballet, Modern and Jazz is probably typical…Ballet can wear out a body in two decades and the strain on bones is the hardest…especially when one is teaching 30 hours a week and trying to raise a family.  There is a new muscle pain or stress everyday and then you are over 40 knowing that something has to give but you must dance…Belly Dance fills that void with challenges, grace and ease to the body.
Sometimes I see students come into class with a misguided notion that bellydance is some kind of hoochie mama indulgence only to find that it has technique, style and grace that is compared to Ballet (which is a much younger dance style by the way)
When you are fluffy, Belly Dance does not care.  It wraps it moves around you with style and grace…When you are thin it can make you look like you have an imposing presence, when you are sad it can bring you joy…when you are young it makes your dance mature…if you are mature, it makes you move youthfully…and the costumes????  Wow! (but that is another article)
I just read an article that wanted to figure out why Belly Dance makes you beautiful.  It is what it is…ancient earth mother of dance for us all, nurturing the best in us.

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Pattern for Belly Dance Circle Skirt…very easy!

25 06 2008

If you are like me or even if you are a better seamstress than I am, this skirt pattern will come in handy.  By changing the fabrics to cottons…you can get a folkloric style…sheer fabrics will make a great underskirt and metallics are great for nightclub or restaurant work.  Enjoy!

Cabaret Circle Skirt (3 Half Circles)

Materials:

  • Measure from your hip to your ankle and add 6 inches. Multiply this number by 6, then divide by 36 to find the total number of yards to purchase (45 inch width fabric).
  • Purchase 1 inch wide grosgrain ribbon (hip size + 5 inch for overlap)

Cutting:

  • Cut or fold the fabric lengthwise into thirds. Stack the 3 pieces on top of each other to form 3 layers. Cut the skirt bottom edge and the hip radius as shown in the drawing. It is easiest if you pin a fabric tape measure to the center point and then use the tape to swing an arc, cutting as the arc is swung.
  • Note that the 5 inch hip radius will span a ~40 inch hip measurement. For larger hips, cut the hip radius SLIGHTLY larger – a little goes a long way!

clip_image001

Sewing:

  • Keeping right sides together, sew two of the circles together along one set of selvages (this forms the back of the skirt).
  • Zig-zag stitch the top edges if the fabric frays. To aid in gathering, run two long basting stitches 1/8 and 1/4 inch from the top edge.
  • Mark the location of the front panel on the grosgrain ribbon as follows: Leaving ~5 inches for overlap to one side, mark the ribbon at the center of each thigh.
  • Mark the location of the back panel on the grosgrain ribbon as follows: Wrap the ribbon around your hips and mark where the ribbon meets the first mark for the front thigh.
  • SLIGHTLY gather the upper edge of the front and back skirt piece. Stitch the single half circle onto the grosgrain ribbon between the marks for the front thighs. Stitch the back piece onto the grosgrain ribbon between the other marks. Note that you may choose to either leave space between the front and back panels, or leave no space for more coverage.
  • Let the skirt hang for at least a few weeks before recutting the hem to the correct length (the skirt will stretch considerably, since it is cut on the bias). Stitch a narrow hem or finish with trim.

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Hula Dance comparison to Belly Dance

23 06 2008

Many of my Belly Dance students and people I talk to at bookings for Hula and Belly Dance actually compare the two dance styles as quite similar.  Though they are both beautiful, quite exotic to us in the continental U.S., they have fewer similarities and great differences. 

Hula and Belly Dance share some hip movement styles though executed much differently.  There is also a finger styling like sifting sand that is similar…and finally the control of the upper body is the same.  Overall, both dance forms are ancient and lovely.  They both utilize the Goddess in different ways.

Hula is a language as much as a dance form.  There was no formal written language in Hawaii until the 1800′s when the Missionaries came to the islands and utilized their influence to make an alphabet and language so that communication and the teaching of their bible would be easier.  Hawaiian is a very unique language.  In 1826 the missionaries established a written  language and King Kamehameha III helped by enacting a Hawaiian Language constitution in 1839.  Until then history was passed down in “stories”, verbally and Hula dancers translated a lot of these stories in the dance.  Hula dance is a translation of song and stories and is divided into two types Modern (Auana) and Ancient (Kaheko).  Though the dance of Auana evolves due to more modern music being written, Kaheko does not change except for a few unique stylings by different Kumus. (esteemed and knowledgeable teachers of the dance) The ancient Gods and Goddesses of tribal lore, i.e. Pele (Goddess of Fire, volcano Goddess or Laka Goddess of Hula) are important to the Hawaiian history and mentioned often in the ancient Mele. (stories through chant) Costuming for ancient Hula stays in the full skirt and fitted top realm or ti leaf skirts with men wearing fitting shorter garment to accent movement.  No grass skirt is utilized for ancient hula since they are not authentic to the Hawaiian Islands. (grass skirts are Gilbert island garb)  In the Auana almost anything goes, grass skirts, Holoku, Holomu, and dresses or sarongs…whatever is audience pleasing and will enhance the movement of the dance. (here the belly/midriff is shown more often) Leis, worn around the neck are important to the dance and are also a rich unique part of the Hawaiian Islands history. (ahhhh, a future blog post)

Belly Dance has different routes in history evolving from the Gypsy tribes moving through Persia and the surmise is that they split off to separate parts of that area of Asia (or what is now known as Asia)  The history spans thousands of years.  There is a unique Egyptian and Turkish Styling of the ancient art of Belly Dance and in the last century, Belly Dance has evolved to be fused with other cultures as well. (African, spanish, ballet, Indian and more)  Tribal Belly Dance evolved in America as a fusion style of Belly Dance based more on cues and less on choreographed pieces and costuming runs the gamut from full skirts to fitted skirts; bellbottoms to full harem style pants.   Like Hula there are dances done for specific ceremony’s like weddings but unlike Hula the movement can vary from dance to dance though

Here you see the Dancers of Odyssey in more folkloric garb….

here are similarities in both styles but huge differences…my favorite similarity is that Hula and Belly Dance are amazingly challenging to me as a dancer and very exotic.  I hope you get to try one or the other sometime…joyous dancing,

Nacheska


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Pattern for Harem pants

13 02 2008

Enjoy this pattern that I have found is the easiest one to start with for harem pants that can go under costumes, as character pants for ren faires, and great for class wear in Belly Dance.  Click on the picture to print and expand to view…just two pieces sewn together and you can make to fit you exactly…the best thing is, you do not have to be an amazing seamstress…this is super simple.

Harem Pant Picture

Costume Tip from the Sheikhani Dance Troupe of Colorado Springs (thanks)

Easy Harem Pants

Materials:

  • Measure the length from your hip to the floor and add 3 inches. Multiply this number by 2 (to have enough fabric for both legs!). Then divide by 36 to find the number of yards of fabric to purchase. A 45 inch wide fabric will make “normal” harem pants; wider fabric will make the pants correspondingly fuller.
  • Purchase 1 inch wide elastic for the hip casing, and 1/2 inch wide elastic for the ankle casings.

Cutting Directions:

  • Cut the fabric length in half. Lay the two pieces of fabric on top of each other, right sides up; if the fabric has nap or a one way design, be sure that the direction is maintained (i.e., don’t put the “bottom” edge of one piece on the “top” edge of the other piece). Now fold the 2 layers of fabric in half lengthwise. You now have 4 layers of fabric, with 4 selvage edges together (see drawing).
  • Starting about 8 inches in from the selvage edges, cut a crotch about 10 inches deep (see drawing).

Sewing:

  • Fold each leg in half, right sides together. Sew the inside seams of each leg piece.
  • Put the two leg pieces together, with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew the crotch seam.
  • Turn under a 1.25 inch casing on the hip edge, and a 3/4 inch casing on each ankle edge; stitch.
  • Insert elastic and stitch the elastic ends. Finish off the casings. You’re done!

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Finding a teacher

11 02 2008

In the course of my 32 years as an instructor of dance, students come and go…some stay a month, a year and some for a decade or more becoming more like family.  I hear stories from students that “overstay” with a teacher because of fear to move on, or fear of hurting feelings, or even veiled threats of being ostracized  by the other dance sisters.  The important thing in life and in art is to grow and be nurtured.  Once this is not happening then move on and be generous with praise and love for where you have been.

To find an instructor, you have the normal means…friends, phone book, or the Internet.  Once you have identified a few that are conveniently located for you then call or email and ask if you may visit a class.  Do not watch, but participate so that you may grasp the “feel” of the class, studio, and instructor. (sometimes there is a fee but better this than registration for the unknown)  If the instructor/studio will not let you participate or watch, be wary…why?  I personally will not allow watching but it is for the comfort of the paying students…I love to have interested dancers take my class to get the feel of my particular (or is that peculiar) personality and technique that is uniquely mine.

One more thing to research besides the obvious do you like this instructor, can they relate to you, can I afford the fee,  the physical studio, space to dance, etc. is “do they want you to perform?”…and “do I want to perform” or even “are there opportunities to perform if I want to?”  I often hear of “pay to play” types of studios meaning the dancer pays to perform even a booking where the instructor is being paid.  Set your comfort level with performing, do I want to, am I ready, do I have talent to offer that would be appreciated.  There are so many facets to this topic but set your expectations up front so that down the road, when you are ready to perform, you know what is available through your studio and troupe.


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Categories : Belly Dance


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