Technique classes:
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*Technique Classes are the center of our dance program at Solstice Studio. It is here that the dancer builds stamina, Bellydance movement, East Coast Tribal Styling, and integration of steps into dance-movement. Technique classes share a curriculum, common goal, and methods for expanding the movement capacity of the body .
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General Description of Technique classes:
East Coast Tribal Bellydance classes focus on technique and concise movement as well as expressive movement. The movement curriculum is created to develop strong, individual, confident dancers through the development of flexibility, posture, stamina, mental focus and a sense of beauty and grace through movement. East Coast Tribal styling is contemporary and challenging. Movements are rooted in Tribal Fusion Bellydance, Hip Hop, Modern, and Martial Arts to make our innovative form: East Coast Tribal. Class format is upbeat, focused and continuously moving.
Determine your class level:
If you are just beginning to Bellydance, you should start with Beginner I. If you feel that you have a foundation of Bellydance already established from prior experience, you may try a Beginner II class. Regardless of prior experience outside of Solstice Studio, you should start with a class no higher than Beginner II.
Each class level should be repeated at least 3 times or until you feel that you can easily execute the isolations, in time with the music, without following an instructor. To move on to the next level before having established a strong movement foundation can lead to poor form and sloppy execution of movement. This dance is meant to be savored and realized through the body.
Beginner I:
Learn the foundation of Bellydance through technique, muscle development and dance movement. This class is an absolute beginners course in Bellydance in which you will discover your innate sense of grace and confidence and the potential you have to develop the dancer in you in a fun and safe environment. You will find that learning to bellydance is very challenging, but if you are patient with yourself, you can do it. It is suggested to take this session for 3 times in a row before advancing to the next level to build a solid foundation.
Beginner II:
This is for dancers who have taken the Beginner 1 class a few times OR for dancers who come from other studios but are new to the East Coast Tribal styling. Before taking this class, you should have mastered isolating hip movements, basic arm carriage and posture.
Beginner III:
Continuing to build your movement vocabulary, this class is very important for establishing the dancer's form. We will begin to work on styling elements, pop 'n lock, controlled shimmys, undulations and many more basic and very important movements. Before taking this class, you should feel as though you have a very strong foundation. Be able to do Omi hip circles, horizontal figure 8s, chest isolations, hip lifts and drops driven by gluteus muscles, snake arms, Arabic Undulation, rhythmic shimmy in-time with music and be able to remember and execute basic combinations of steps.
Intermediate I:
Building on the foundation you have established, this class moves into strength-based movements, requiring prior development of flexibility and strength. This class is for dancers who have already taken East Coast Tribal bellydance classes and want to focus more intensely on technique and styling. Before taking this class, you should have a strong understanding of: Umi hip circle, vertical figure 8s, chest slides/lifts/drops and stops, hip lifts/drops and stops, 3/4 shimmy walking forward and back and automatic posture. A choreography will be taught throughout the session for optional participation in a student recital/party at the end of the session.
Intermediate II:
This class focuses on intense layering, speeding up the timing of movements and developing dance-movement through fusions of Modern, Hip Hop and Martial Arts. Many new movements will be introduced, requiring a complete understanding and ease in execution of chest and hip figure 8s traveling and still, vertical chest undulations, belly rolls up and down while traveling, all popping arm movements and total control in 3/4 shimmy traveling.
Intermediate III:
Diving deeper into styling and fusion, this class, taught by Sera, explores the innovative and amazing potential and creativity that our dance has to offer. This class is expected to participate in performances once a choreography is complete. To be in this class, you must have taken classes for at least one full year at this studio. For most, you will require a greater amount of time, perhaps a year and a half at least. You should be able to execute the above movements, plus be able to do these movements in layers.