Download 2009 Class Booking Form only
Download this 2009 Class page info
For further enquiries contact Shahara (07) 33690832
| Venues and Times | Term Dates for 2009 | |
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SUNNYBANK Paloma Reception Centre |
1st Term: Feb 2nd -Apr 6th 2nd Term: Apr 20th - June 22nd (8 weeks only. No class 4th May Labour Day, or 8th June Queens Birthday) 3rd Term: July 13th - Sept 14th 4th Term: Oct 5th - Dec 7th |
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COORPAROO Queen Alexandra House |
1st Term: Feb 3rd - April 7th 2nd Term: Apr 21st - June 23rd 3rd Term: July 14th - Sept 15th 4th Term: Oct 6th - Dec 8th |
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BARDON Red Hill/ Paddington Community Centre |
1st Term: Feb 4th - April 8th 2nd Term: Apr 22nd - June 24th 3rd Term: July 15th - Sept 16th 4th Term: Oct 7th - Dec 9th |
Terms and Conditions
(.) To join classes you are required to enroll in a prepaid course - 10-week course costing $140 , or $120 for pensions and students. (8-week course costing $112, or $96 for pensioners and students). Advanced class students have the option to pay as they go at $15 per class.
(.) Once the course has begun there will be strictly no refunds, however you may catch up a missed class at any of Princess Shahara's other beginner classes at Bardon, Coorparoo, or Sunnybank.Committing students to a whole term helps the learning progression making class easier for you and more productive. Stable groups are very friendly and lots of fun. Organized courses will also ensure classes won't be overcrowded.(.) Early enrolment with payment will ensure your place in the course.
(.) If you miss out on a place or if a minimum of ten places are not filled and the course is cancelled, your payment will be returned and you will have the option to go on a waiting list for the next course.
(.) Enrolments must be in no later than the Wednesday before the course commences.Belly dancing is an enjoyable, safe, gentle form of exercise. Even doctors and other authorities in health are recommending this activity. As with other forms of exercise, however, you should observe a few elementary precautions.(.) If you have any injuries or problems which may affect your dancing, let the teacher know so that she can tailor the exercise to suit you.(.) Similarly, if you fall pregnant the teacher will be able to guide you if she knows about your condition.
(.) Naturally, anyone beginning any new regime of exercise should check that they are fit for it before beginning. If you are over forty and haven't been keeping fit it would be wise to check with your doctor.
To obtain an Enrolment Form for Shahara's 2009 program either phone Shahara on 07-33690832
History
Belly Dance originated thousands of years ago in the cradle of civilization the Middle East. Through history it may have developed from ancient fertility rituals to become the social dance of the people, and performed at all their special ceremonies such as weddings, births and circumcisions. It has been embraced by millions of women locked away behind harem walls as a form of exercise and entertainment.
Belly Dance is also known as the BIRTH dance, Raks Sharqi and Danse Orientale. The pure movements of the dance have been passed down through the ages. The dancer uses the movements to express the soul of the music.
Each person's interpretation is different, making this a soloist's dance, traditionally performed by one dancer at a time. However, choreographed dances are becoming increasingly popular due to the growing amount of women wanting to perform in groups.
Styles
There are varied styles of the dance from different regions.Folkloric dance styles are usually danced by the country folk in groups, wearing covered layered costumes.
Egypt Saidi, Fellahin, Ghawazee, Zar, Nubian
Turkish Karsilima, Gypsy
Greek Chiftatelli
Saudi Arabia - KhaleegyBeledi - is urbanized folk style where a solo dancer requires much skill and emotion to follow the unpredictable and intricate music. Costume is full-length dress with slits to allow leg movement and sash at hip.
Classical - Cabaret - Pharonic and Fantasy styles have been developed for shows and theatrical presentation. Costumes with bra and belt are mostly worn with these styles, however these days almost anything goes.Props such as cane, sword, veils and finger cymbals can be used with appropriate styles to enhance performance.
Movements
Although the movements are natural to the body we don't use most of them in our western culture. The use of isolated muscle groups create the movements which can be
1. Soft and fluid Serpentine undulations and circles
2. Sharper rhythmic (or percussive) movements
3. Shimmies small but fast continuous rhythmic movement.
Other movements involve Walks, Glides, Turns and arm work.
The movements keep the muscles well toned and massage the internal organs. Belly Dance is an enjoyable total body workout with particular attention to the pelvic floor, hips, thighs, belly, ribs and shoulders.
Benefits
If this beautiful feminine art form is practised regularly you will gain increased body awareness, control, flexibility, co-ordination and fitness. You will also improve your posture, feminine grace, self-esteem and confidence.
Health benefits range from aiding women in childbirth and women with gynaecological problems, including period pain, endometriosis and incontinence, to helping people with arthritis, postural and back problems, constipation and many other health problems.
Belly dancing is a great escape from our stressful lives. It can be very relaxing and you can easily make new friends.
About the Academy
Since the Academy came into being in 1989 The Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (AMED) has been spreading the art of ME Dance. Beginners and advanced classes are taught at many locations throughout Brisbane. The Academy regularly provides workshops with AMED,national and international master teachers.
These workshops attract students and teachers of all levels from all over Australia and New Zealand.
Teachers of the Academy are highly regarded for their dedication to excellence in the art. All the teachers continue to be educated, keeping abreast with modern techniques and other developments.
As well as teaching and giving talks and workshops to all sorts of groups from pre schools to retirement homes, the teachers also perform professionally, presenting Brisbane's largest troupe of professional dancers, filling most of Brisbane's professional bookings.
Highlights of the Academy calendar include the Oasis Dreams Belly Dance competition for our students and students of our sister school, Araby Belly Dance Academy, Gold Coast.
Also performance nights and the Annual "Extravaganza Concert" (2009 at Coffee Club RNA showgrounds) with performances by schools from all over SE Queensland and northern NSW.The Academy's expertise in the field of ME dance is wide and varied. It covers
. Education including children's classes and workshops
. Entertainment including Belly Dance parties for children
. Azziza's Belly Dance supplies for all music and costuming needs
To find out more about the Academy please visit our Academy Website on the Internet :The Academy of Middle Eastern Dance http://www.amedbrisbane.com.au
Right: The 'Oasis Dancers'- the Academy's main performance troupe
About the teacher
Inspired by extensive travels throughout the Middle East from Morocco to Afghanistan and a passion for beautiful exotic things, SHARON DALEY (Princess Shahara) in 1990 started learning at the Academy of Middle Eastern Dance and instantly fell in love with Belly dance.
Within a short time she was accepted into the Academy's professional dance troupe 'The Oasis Dancers'. By 1992 with AMED teacher training Princess Shahara had begun a career in the art and by 1995 this had developed into full time employment teaching and performing professionally. Princess Shahara continues her personal dance education, attending as many workshops and conventions as possible, often travelling interstate to do so.
Princess Shahara’s students have been prominently placed in the annual ‘Oasis Dreams’ competition event where students compete dancing their own choreographies, and several have gone on to join “The Oasis Dancers”.Princess Shahara is also the creator of “Belly Dance Parties for Little Princesses”.
About the classes
You are never too young or too old to start belly dancing. Women of all ages from all walks of life, with different shapes, sizes, and fitness levels and most of them with no previous dance experience come together for Belly Dance classes.
Each of the new students will absorb technique and develop the dance at different rates.
Some will find the movements more natural and easier to obtain than others. Some may be disheartened to find the control required to execute a movement is a little slow in coming.
As mentioned earlier, the movements are natural, but totally foreign to our culture. When starting to learn this amazing art form you must be prepared to give yourself lots of time to understand and begin to master the movements gracefully. In time your skills, and confidence and knowledge of the dance will blossom enabling you to enjoy belly dancing at home alone, socially or advanced to a skilled art form.
Because everyone develops at different rates, the 10-week beginner courses are designed to cater to all levels of beginners. Students are usually required to complete at least 3 to 4 terms gaining the skills to be moved into a more advanced class.
Safe dance will be practised in class. This will include warm up and stretches and cool down and relaxation.
Through the 4 courses in one year you will learn all the basic movements and some variations of them. You will learn a choreography and may use props such as veil and cane. Different styles and music interpretation will also be taught.
What to wear and bring
Come in cool comfortable clothes that do not restrict body movements. It is not necessary to bare your belly so long as you are covered with something hugging your midriff - such as leotards, tight t-shirt, or singlet (top or dress).
Alternatively crop top or bra tops are nice and cool. Bring a hip scarf - hips need to be accentuated so everything is pulled down from the waist and worn on the hips.
For this any of the following will be quite suitable elastic waisted skirts, wrap around skirts, sarongs, harem pants, hipster bike pants, leggings. Of course scarves and jingly belts look great tied around the hip to emphasize the movement.
Being a bare foot dance you won't need shoes. Bring drinking water. Some students like to bring a towel or a flexible mat for the cool down and relaxation at the end of the class.