Our studio is a unique collective,
formed by classes taught by several independent area dance
companies. Please read below for more information about the
individual instructors and companies, and if you have any specific
questions regarding one of the classes, please contact the
appropriate instructor. If you don't see what you're looking for,
feel free to call the studio at 901.605.5520. Thanks!
Memphis Raqs is one
of Memphis' top bellydance companies, offering professional
quality classes and performances in this ancient art. The
word raqs (pronounced rocks) is an Arabic term that
roughly translates to dance. The traditional term
for the dance Americans have come to known as "bellydance"
is Raqs Sharqi, which means Dance of the East.
Memphis Raqs combines elements of traditional Middle
Eastern, North African, and Asian dance with a modern, urban
American flair. Our classes focus on laying down a
solid foundation of basic bellydance technique, including
muscular control and isolation, as well as movements and
combinations commonly used in tribal style group
improvisational dancing. Whether you're looking to try a new
hobby with friends or start a new fitness program,
bellydance is for everyone!
Hooping is not only a revolutionary
aerobic fitness activity, but also a creative form of
self-expression. Circus-style tricks, on and off-body
hooping, and one's own rhythm can combine to create a
unique dance - one that is sure to get you happy and in
great shape! Join us as we offer different techniques
each week, all important in beginning (or expanding)
one's journey into hoop dance. Lessons will cover
everything from hooping on the core, movement on the
floor, off-body hooping, and transitions from different
moves. Gain some fundamental vocabulary to begin
writing your own hoop dance!
Isadora
began her flamenco studies in Brazil in 1995, taking
classes and workshops from several flamenco artists such
as Irene Madureira, Andrea Guelpa, Yara Castro, Daniel
Moura, Georgia Gugliotta. In 1999 Isadora went to
Seville, Spain, where she studied flamenco at Manolo
Marin’s School of Dance taking classes with Manolo Marin
and Adela Campallo. In Brazil
se was part of a group named Sangue Flamenco, formed by
seven dancers and 4 musicians, which performed several
public presentations in the city of Salvador.
Flamenco Description
Flamenco dance (baile) is a highly-expressive,
Spanish dance form. The flamenco is a solo dance
characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork,
and intricate hand, arm and body movements.
With roots in Indian, Arabic, Spanish cultures,
flamenco dance is known for its sweeping arm
movements and rhythmic feet stomping.The steps a
dancer performs are dependent on the traditions of
the song being played. Perhaps the greatest joy of
flamenco dancing is watching the personal
expressions and emotions of the dancer, which change
many times during a single performance.
Tango with Maximilliano Gluzman
Far from any dramatic cliche, this dance is about
sharing the emotions of the music in an endless creative
improvisation.
Maximiliano Gluzman learned to dance tango in his
hometown of Buenos Aires and has been teaching and perforing tango
since 2005 across Europe and the Americas.
Bridging Souls Productions is a company of performance
artist united together to share their love for dance and
other performance arts media in the
surrounding community of the mid-south. Artistic Director, Tamara
Prince-Parrish is native Memphian who has danced,
choreographed and with Memphis City Schools, Children's
Ballet School, Performance Art Network, Nu-World
Contemporary Danse Theatre, MADCO, and many more.
Classes will fuse the dance techniques
of Modern Dance pioneers Eric Hawkins, Martha Graham,
and Lester Horton to bridge fluidity and initiation from
the core incorporating Tamara's own style to focus on
principles of the use of breathe, body awareness, range
of motion in the torso, floor work, and movement phrases
to develop strength, stamina, and flexibility.
Bjorna is a Memphis native who spent a few
years living in St. Louis and a few in El Paso, TX.
While away, her passion for street style hip hop dancing
grew into more than just a hobby. She found herself dancing
professionally solo and as part of several groups, including
the Fly Girls in El Paso.
Upon returning to Memphis, her dancing
took a back seat to the 'real world' and she found herself
putting on unwanted pounds. Now, she returns to the
dance scene, starting with a fitness-style class to help her
and anyone who shares her story and her love for dance.
Her classes combine hip hop, club music,
and pop to keep you moving and dancing for the full hour.
She'll sprinkle in some kickboxing, and floorwork for abs to
make sure you get an all-around workout. "These are the
things that have helped me lose the most weight, so that's
what I'm sticking with. I just love to dance, so join me and
we'll lose the weight together!" - Bjorna
When Diane Sable saw Teacher Jean demonstrate tai chi
chuan to the students of the Massage Institute of
Memphis in 1993 (where she was a student) she knew she
would have to learn this beautiful art form. Grace,
specific application of martial art moves, intention,
the flow of energy and meditation are the perfect
combination of discipline and play. She began studying
with Teacher Jean in 1994, using these wonderful
movements to enhance the lives of her students and
clients.
The
Feldenkrais Method® is an innovative system that approaches
human development and the improvement of functioning through
the medium of physical movement. Our posture and the ways
that we move are learned, even if that learning was not
conscious. Thus, physical difficulties or limitations are
seen, from the Feldenkrais perspective, as the result of
either incomplete learning or trauma that can lead to
dysfunctional habit patterns. When it is necessary to change
or create a new pattern, the Feldenkrais Method provides the
means to know what to change and how to change it
In an Awareness Through
Movement®
class the
Feldenkrais®
practitioner guides the group through the specific movements
by vocal direction. Typically, the beginning of the
lesson features a ‘test movement’ such as raising an arm or
turning the head. As the lesson progresses, each student
works within their own range of comfortable movement. By
the end of the session, students are able to notice the
improvement within that specific movement and sense how it
integrates with their movement in general-such as the
actions of walking or sitting.
Dance is a universal language.
People can dance with each other and have fun without even knowing the
language of their partner. Dance Simply speaks for itself and dancers can
communicate what they feel through dancing. Dancing started out to celebrate
victories in battle, enhance fertility, or as a means to have a bountiful
harvest. But today, people dance for enjoyment. There are some dances that
speak to people more than others though and here are some of the most popular
dances throughout the world today.
.
The Waltz – this is a romantic dance
between couples and it is easily observed that people from the
around the world use the waltz for special occasions such as proms, birthday
debuts, and weddings.
Swing – although this traces its roots
in the United States from the Black American community,
the Swing has made its way to various destinations throughout the world
and it remains as
one of the world’s top favorite dances.
Disco – disco dance is widely practiced
anywhere in the world that has nightclubs. There are actually many variations
from the disco dance but the end result is the same, people have fun dancing
Disco.
Foxtrot – this has been a popular dance
for a long time already and it is still being practiced today. Foxtrot
is smooth dancing and it is a classic dance that is practiced worldwide.
Cha cha – tracing its roots to Latin
America, cha cha is one of the best-liked dances anywhere because it of
its exciting and upbeat rhythm.
Mambo – stimulating rhythms and playful
moves characterize the Mambo. This kind of dance emphasizes the second
beat with the Latin-style hip movements.
Merengue – this is a simple dance that
has a marching style. It is easy on the ear and the feet and people feel
happy after dancing the Merengue.
Rhumba – the combination of Latin and
African influences make the Rhumba one of the most exciting and sensual
dance.
Salsa – this is one of the favorites
among young people today. They pack different nightclubs to dance to the
tune of Salsa music.
Samba – this is a very distinctive
dance that has different rhythms occurring at the same time within one
song. The Samba music is rich so it is a very upbeat and cheerful dance.
Belly dance - a Western-coined name
for a traditional Middle Eastern dance. The term "Belly dance" is a misnomer
as every part of the body is involved in the dance; the most featured body
part in raqs sharqi being the hips. Belly dance takes many different forms
depending on country and region, both in costume and dance style;; and
new styles have been invented in the West as its popularity has spread
globally.
Bhangra - a form of music and dance
that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Began as a
folk dance conducted by Punjabi farmers to celebrate the coming of Vaisakhi,
a Punjabi festival.
