Belly Dancing Classes
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Classes & Lessons >
Dance > Belly Dancing Classes
Dec 2012
Looking for a class where I can learn some Belly Dance techniques & have my 4 year old
child looked after at the same time...any suggestions?
Mom looking for artistic workout
Holly Shaw is a fabulous belly dance teacher with classes in Berkeley and Oakland, and
she offers onsite childcare. Her website is www.hollyshaw.net.
Susan
I love my belly dance class! Our teacher, Holly Shaw, is a beautiful dancer who creates
a joyful atmosphere in which to learn a spirited, flowing dance style. Her class also
includes conditioning and guided breathing meditation. I leave feeling both refreshed
and energized...and the class includes child care! I take her class at the Garden Gate
Creativity Center, 2911 Claremont Ave in Berkeley, but Holly also teaches in Oakland.
See her web site: www.bellydanceformamas.com Holly C.
Jan 2009
I am six months pregnant, and recently was told that belly dancing
is good for pregnant women to keep their abdominal muscles loose
and strong(has anyone else heard this?). --I'm looking for
recommendations for where to take belly dancing classes/lessons,
ideally with someone who has experience with pregnancy and dance.
Any other suggestions regarding dance classes and pregnancy would
be appreciated.
thanks!
I've heard, too, that belly dancing is good for prenatal
exercise. And it sure sounds like fun! In the past, the Nurture
Center in Lafayette (nurturecenter.com) has offered prenatal
belly dance classes -- maybe they'd have a lead for you.
JP
I did belly dance during my pregnancy, up to the week before I
delivered, but I had been doing belly dance for 5 years at that
point. While I think it is great pre-natal exercise, I am
hesitant to recommend *beginning* at 6 months pregnant. How is
your fitness level in general? Have you been active through the
pregnancy? Any other dance experience? Belly dancing is pretty
low impact, but you're going to have a baby sitting on your
bladder, and your growing belly will throw off your balance.
All those caveats having been made, if you still feel it's
something you want to pursue, I can recommend a class though
Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda taught by Wendy Allen of Fat
Chance Belly Dance. It's the same format I took during my
pregnancy and Wendy is a solid instructor.
Carrie
BirthWays offers pre and post natal belly dancing. To find out
more info, you can go to www.birthways.org and click on classes.
Rebecca
I really enjoyed the prenatal belly dance class I took with Jen
Miriam Kantor (puppets@jenmiriam.com). I didn't start until 37
weeks, but got in three or four classes. I had fun and thought
the exercises and moves were very good for that stage of
pregnancy and for labor.
Loren
Contact Miriam Peretz in Berkeley. She's a fabulous dancer and
teacher, mom to a 2 year-old, danced through her pregnancy, and
has been teaching pre- and post-natal belly dance.
anon
Jen Miriam Kantor teaches prenatal and post-natal belly dance in
Berkeley. I haven't been to the classes, but she was my doula
and was amazing! Here's a link with more information:
http://www.birthways.org/
Good luck!
Oct 2006
I am a reasonably fit mother of two interested in exploring
belly dancing. Any recommendations for the Oakland area?
Karen
There are several different styles of belly dancing that you will
see in the bay area. The 2 main ones being egyptian style and
tribal style. Egyptian style is the traditional style you think
of originating from the middle east. Tribal style originated here
in the Bay and it is more of an egyptian/gypsy fusion style with
many different influences of dance (flamenco, bhangra, turkish
roman, even hip hop, etc.) Usually done in a group lead and
follow and the music is anywhere from asian underground,
electronica, hip hop to more traditional music. Two of my favorite tribal
style teachers in the east bay are Jill
Parker of Ultra Gypsy (http://www.ultragypsy.com). She has
classes in Berkeley and SF. And Frederique of Belly Groove
(http://www.bellygroove.com). Fred has classes in Rockridge and
Temescal. Both are beautiful dancers. It is a great form of
exercise and expression, you will become addicted! Have fun!
April 2006
I'm looking for recommendations for a belly dance instructor
who is willing to teach a class for a 6 year old's birthday
party.
Thanks.
Theresa
I attended a party last fall [for a 4 and 6 year old], and they
had hired a wonderful belly dancer that had all the kids
dancing, along with many of the moms! The kids didn't want to
let her go. She brought her own music and even had veils for
the girls to dance with. She was dressed in a beautiful,
colorful gypsy costume which was tasteful and appropriate for a
child's party. I highly recommend her. I got her contact
information which follows:
Name: Nahara
email: naharadancer[at]aol.com
phone: (415) 257-5042
jill
March 2005
I know I've seen a flyer for pre-natal bellydancing, but I can't remember where I
saw it. Can any one refer me to a *specifically* prenatal belly-dance class? I've
checked the archives, but didn't see anything for this, just general bellydance. I
really want to take a class in this, as I have heard that this is what belly dance
originally developed for! Thanks for any help you can give me.
Longing to Shake My Pregnant Belly
I belly danced through my entire pregnancy (I performed at a
belly dance festival at 6 months along and kept taking classes up
until my baby was born). It was great conditioning--posture is
really important in belly dance, and it helped me avoid back
problems in pregnancy (no waddling for me). So good for you!
That said, I don't know of any pregnancy-specific classes, and I
hope someone can point you in the right direction, since that is
what you are interested in. However, if you have been active and
aren't too far along in your pregnancy, you could probably take
regular classes with no difficulty. I would, however, choose an
instructor who emphasizes posture and body mechanics. I take
classes at Fat Chance Belly Dance (in SF) and couldn't be more
pleased. Good luck!
Carrie
Oct 2004
Where can I take belly dancing lessons or classes? Seems like a
fun and great way to get exercise.
Karen
Recommended:
Ashkenaz
this page was last updated: Jan 22, 2013
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network