Sensual Bellydance

ALL LEVELS - 2 HOURS

In bellydance, sensuality has always been one of the most highly prized qualities. Sensuality (your enjoyment of the world and your own physicality as perceived by your senses) is not a special talent or skill—it is present in all of us. In this workshop you will learn how to discover it inside of you and translate it from an internal state to an expressive, easy-to-understand language of dance movement.

You will learn tips and techniques to make your dance more connected and expressive. You will also learn a series of poses and gestures that express the femininity that bellydance is all about.

Sensual Bellydance:
Gained in Translation

INT/ADVANCED - 3 OR 4 HOURS

Have you ever felt disappointed after performing? Come to a workshop that will boost your confidence while teaching you to move with more style, grace and poise. Make your bellydance steps more expressive, sensual and meaningful. Then crystallize your new skills by learning a a series of combinations that can be applied to your own routines. Don't let your hard work get lost in translation: learn to unlock the essential power within.

Rhythms Workshop

ALL LEVELS - 2 OR 3 HOURS*

Musicality is a precious quality essential for mastering the dance. In this workshop you will learn to identify, feel and dance to the basic Middle Eastern rhythms used in belly dance. You will learn how to create different dynamics with your body, as well as groups of movements and accents that suit each of the rhythms. Learn the secrets behind seamless transitions and successful improvisation in a fun and informative workshop.

Drum Solo Workshop

ALL LEVELS - 2 HOURS

In this workshop you will learn how to feel the rhythm and respond to the sounds of the drum with your body, using it as an instrument. You will also learn how to create different dynamics with your body, as well as groups of movements and accents that suit the rhythms and riffs of a drum solo. We will tie it all together learning a drum solo choreography.

Drum Solo Wokshop for Dancers and Drummers

The drum solo is the climax of any bellydance show. This is a great time for the dancer and drummer to improvise and communicate.

* For dancers: In this workshop you will learn improvisation techniques and how to perform drum solos that are both exciting and effortless-looking. You will learn how to communicate with the drummer when dancing to a live drum solo. This workshop will also greatly improve your musicality, improvisation skills and showmanship for all other types of bellydance music and shows.

* For drummers: In this workshop, you will learn how to build your own solos and improv techniques. You will also learn what the dancer is expecting from you and how to play something interesting and exciting for her.
This workshop is perfect for drummers who know the basics.

Choreography Workshops

Each choreography workshop is 2 hours long.

The following choreographies are available:

• Venus (advanced beginner and higher levels):
  sensuality, pacing, travel steps.
  
  
• Drum Solo (advanced beginner and higher levels):
  
  
• Nymph (advanced beginner and higher levels):
  hand veils, storytelling, rhythms, dervish turns.
  
  
• Karsiyakali (intermediate/advanced):
  veil work, footwork, musicality, group choreography.
  
  
• The Fool (advanced):
  fast footwork, running shimmies, precision, turns, falls.
  
  
• Moonwatch (intermediate/advanced):
  ethereal movement, running shimmies, group choreography.
  
  
• Two Rites (advanced):
  precision, advanced group choreography, lunges, hip work.

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As a teacher, Blanca incorporates her desire to share and her ever-increasing knowledge of dance technique, body awareness, and the healing / esoteric arts to develop new methods that will accelerate her students' training and increase their self-confidence. She equally respects all aspects of bellydance: as a social and fun activity, as fitness, as a tool for communication, as spectacle, as a storytelling device and as one of the most powerful healing tools she has encountered.

Blanca's teaching method incorporates:

PROGRESSIONS — sequences of steps building from simple isolated moves to the layered "look" where footwork, arm patterns, head angles and motions are gradually combined for the effect of total coordination and efforless control.

INNER WORK — awakening body awareness and sensuality through visualizations.

STORY-TELLING — to improve your performance, even if you are dancing alone.

MUSICALITY — this precious quality takes a dancer to a whole other level...

Student Testimonials

"And to you Blanca, honestly, when you came up with the Idea to do the nymph choreography for the show, that day Rie and I looked at each other with a bit of uncertainty that we could pull off such a feat. But somehow you sprinkled your magic pixie dust over our heads and turned us into those lovely, graceful beings on stage Friday night. I can’t believe those girls were us! I’m so happy a year ago this month, as if by fate, I stumbled upon the 92y’s website, and saw your video. From that moment, I knew I wanted to join your class. Words cannot express how this past year has transformed me inside. I never thought I would have the courage to dance in the circle at the end of classes, let alone on a stage in front of a live audience. Thank you not only for the gift of dance, but for your anecdotes, your deep insights, your drills, and especially your kindness. And most of all the time you spent with us to turn this into a kick-ass performance! I loved every minute of it!"

- Tawanna Faison

 

"I am so lucky to be in NYC where I can attend your class, Blanca. Since I fell in love with your bellydance teaching technique in Sensual Bellydance DVD and started taking your class, I have appreciated every class with you. Honestly, I couldn't imagine that I could be on stage performing bellydance when I started last year. I couldn't do undulation, shimmy, figure 8 etc.. none of those. I had no background in dancing. I was wondering how you put every movement together so beautifully with music, it was a magic to me.. But now, I have performed (!) in front of an audience. It's trully amazing. Bellydance changed my life, lifted my mood, gave me confidence and makes me healthy mentally and physically. Now I am almost addicted. It's your fault, Blanca!"
- Rie Bohn

 

"I have been bellydancing for three years now and I can only say that I wish I had discovered this dance in my teen years, when so many young women struggle with issues of self-esteem. This dance celebrates what is truly beautiful, mysterious and powerful about women, and as I enter my forties it becomes a vital part of remaining connected to what is beautiful in all of us, regardless of age or size.
There are many wonderful teachers out there, but Blanca stands alone in her grace, beauty, talent and ability to enable her students to connect with that part of themselves that is feminine in the truest sense. She is also unique in her ability to create narratives to her choreographies, giving them richness and meaning. Lastly, Blanca is supportive and encouraging, and her classes have become my favorite form of 'me' time!"
- Zoe Cuddy

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