BEGINNING

Beginning Belly Dance Classes are once a week. They are approx 90 minutes long. Sessions are 6 weeks long/$50 (Yep.... pretty darn inexpensive, eh?)
CLASS SESSIONS BEGIN: in 2008 - March 18 & 19 [Cymbal/Faster Dance class will be offered during the Beginning 1 Time Slots and the Beginning Veil/Shimmy class will be offered during Beginning A time slots. It does not matter which unit you take first... both are Beginning level on different topic sets],  April 29-May 1 [Beginning 1 is Veil/Shimmy; Beginning A is Cymbal/Faster Dance], July 15-17  [Beginning 1 is Cymbal/Faster Dance; Beginning A is Veil/Shimmy], Aug 26-28 [Beginning 1 is Veil/Shimmy; Beginning A is Cymbal/Faster Dance], Oct 21-23  [Beginning 1 is Cymbal/Faster Dance; Beginning A is Veil/Shimmy]
TIME SHIFTING: Each class session title is offered at multiple times and you may attend your choice of one of those times each week.
THE BEGINNING CURRICULUM TAKES TWO 6-WEEK SESSIONS TO COMPLETE:

1. You can check the Calendar-At-A-Glance at any time to see what the current session topic is in Beg 1 or Beg A. It does not matter which one you take first.
2. You should take BOTH beginning curriculum sets ("Veil/Shimmy" and "Cymbals/Faster Dance") before attempting to continue on in Intermediate and Int/Advanced classes, though you will be competent to dance in each curriculum set as you complete it. Some material is repeated in both beginning curriculum sets, but there is a vast amount of material that is not. The curriculums alternate in any time slot, so if you were taking "Beg 1 at Tu 6pm" this six week session may be cymbals, and the next six week session would be veil, so it is possible to take both topic sets by coming to the same time for two sessions.
3. Yes, it is possible to take both curriculum sets at the same time by taking both Beginning 1 and Beginning A at the same time... they are both Beginning level classes but in different curriculum sets.

• To REGISTER: please show up at the first class of the new session at the time you desire. For our planning it would be appreciated if you email saqra@saqra.net to let us know you are planning on attending. Cash and checks are preferred payment. We do not accept credit cards on site, but if use of credit cards is mandatory arrangements can be made to pay by Paypal.
• LATE START: The last recommended date to join the beginning class already in progress would be the third week of any session.
• SCHEDULE CHANGES: Occasionally classes during a session are cancelled or the schedule is modified instead of simply being every week. For advance notice of these schedule changes please see: Calendar-At-A-Glance
• MISS A CLASS? If you miss a class you may make it up by coming to class twice in a different week during that session. You must complete any make-up classes during your session.
• DIRECTIONS: http://www.saqra.net/lastoasis.html Note - whether you registered through Kent Parks & Rec/Kent Commons or through the studio ALL CLASSES ARE HELD AT THE STUDIO
• BEGINNER'S FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) - PLEASE CLICK HERE

Saqra does have a Beginning Isolation Breakdown Video available (DVD - PAL also available). Please see http://www.saqra.net/Shopping/musicvid.html for information.

BEGINNING CERTIFICATE

This option is NOT REQUIRED to continue on to INTERMEDIATE or INT/ADV CLASSES! This is an OPTION ONLY!

To earn a BEGINNING BELLY DANCE MASTERY CERTIFICATE you must:

Complete both Beginning Curriculums
Plan a 3-5 minute dance and perform it for a Beginning Class. Contact Saqra to discuss scheduling your performance and to plan if you want a little help preparing.

INTERMEDIATE BASICS

CLASS LEVEL: Low Intermediate through High Intermediate. NOTE: you ARE also eligible for Int/Adv or Int/Adv LIVE MUSIC classes.
PREREQUISITES: You probably should have had both Beginning Sessions through Saqra's studio (if not, you may want to do Int/Adv instead). You are expected to generally understand if not execute well: Lines & Circles, How to link movements ("Glowing Green Goo"), Finger Cymbal Counterrhythms (Gallops & Rolls - once again, not well!), Basic Veil handling (at least a few moves), at least 4 kinds of Shimmies when reminded, and you should be able to control your butt cheeks individually for "Locks."
Intermediate Basics Belly Dance Classes are once a week. They are approx 75-90 minutes long. Sessions are 6 weeks long/$55. Material builds from one week to the next with a focus in an area. Each new session has a different focus. For the session focus see  Calendar-At-A-Glance
CLASS SESSIONS BEGIN: in 2008 - March 18 & 19,  April 29-30, July 15-16, Aug 26-28
TIME SHIFTING: Intermediate Basics is offered Tu 1:30 and Wed 5:30
MISS A CLASS? If you miss a class you may make it up by coming to class twice in a different week during that session. You must complete any make-up classes during your session.
To REGISTER: please show up at the first class of the new session at the time you desire. For our planning it would be appreciated if you email saqra@saqra.net to let us know you are planning on attending. Cash and checks are preferred payment. We do not accept credit cards on site, but if use of credit cards is mandatory arrangements can be made to pay by Paypal.
LATE START: The last recommended date to join the beginning class already in progress would be the second week of any session.
SCHEDULE CHANGES: Occasionally classes during a session are cancelled or the schedule is modified instead of simply being every week. For advance notice of these schedule changes please see: Calendar-At-A-Glance
DIRECTIONS: http://www.saqra.net/lastoasis.html

INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATE TESTING

This option is NOT REQUIRED to attend INTERMEDIATE or INT/ADV CLASSES or ALAHAD SHAMAL TROUPE! This is an OPTION ONLY!

INTERMEDIATE COMPLETION CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE AT THREE LEVELS:

INTERMEDIATE 1 COMPLETION CERTIFICATE you must complete three INTERMEDIATE BASICS units (not required they be in a row), then plan and perform a routine between 5 and 7 minutes incorporating material from all three units. This routine may be performed in public (at Moonraker or another approved venue -- see Saqra for recommended upcoming events and to plan if you want a little help preparing.) or simply recorded for Saqra's review.

• INTERMEDIATE 2 COMPLETION CERTIFICATE you must complete five INTERMEDIATE BASICS units (not required they be in a row), then plan and perform a routine between 5 and 7 minutes incorporating material from at least three different units. This routine must be performed in public (at Moonraker or another approved venue -- see Saqra for recommended upcoming events and to plan if you want a little help preparing).

• INTERMEDIATE 3 MASTERY CERTIFICATE you must complete seven INTERMEDIATE BASICS units (not required they be in a row), then plan and perform a routine between 7 and 9 minutes incorporating material from at least four different units. This routine must be performed in public (at Moonraker or another approved venue -- see Saqra for recommended upcoming events and to plan if you want a little help preparing).

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

CLASS LEVEL: Low Intermediate through Professional. NOTE: you ARE also eligible for Int/Adv LIVE MUSIC classes. ONGOING CLASS. Drop in any time. This is a special topic course taught workshop style. Because of Saqra's layered-concept focus this class is ALWAYS a challenge for all levels. You must not be afraid because there will definitely be things you can't do as more concepts are layered together. Everything is broken down, so it IS suitable for newly intermediate through professional levels, but it can be intimidating some weeks if you are new. Class: approx 60min.
PREREQUISITES: Live beginning classes somewhere preferred as "video trained" students usually do not have the level of technique necessary to allow the class to progress normally for others. Growing up in an appropriate ethnic background usually does not create technically skilled stage dancers either. 
SCHEDULE CHANGES: Occasionally classes are cancelled or the schedule is modified instead of simply being every week. For advance notice of these schedule changes please see: Calendar-At-A-Glance
FEES: DROP-IN $10/class.. or purchase a 7 CLASS PUNCHCARD/$55 (use within 3 months) or a 10 CLASS PUNCH CARD/$75 (use within 4 months) - punch card good for drop in to ANY class. (NOTE: There are also 4 week blocks offered through Kent Parks and Rec)  CARDS ARE ALSO GOOD FOR BEGINNING DROP IN and INT/ADV LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE CLASS
TOPICS: Topic names repeat at least every10 months. Common topics (Different Types of Combos with Cymbals, for example) repeat more often than more exotic topics (sword dance... flamenco steps converted to authentic oriental...) Do remember that I try very hard to make certain whatever steps I am using in a focus topic include ones I have not taught in a long time. I have many students who have taken from me for years and years and years because of this. It is also why I originally hesitated to publish a topic list ("oh, I already had advanced veil from her..."  uhhhh, yeah, but did you have all 120 distinct veil move combos from my archive files?), along with the fact that each warm-up section also focuses on different material each week.
UPCOMING FOCUS TOPICS ARE LISTED AT: Calendar-At-A-Glance NOTE:   Though TOPIC NAME may have been offered in the past THE MATERIAL is ALWAYS DIFFERENT.  THERE IS WAYYYY  MORE THAN ONE HOUR OF INFORMATION FOR EACH TOPIC NAME.
DIRECTIONS: http://www.saqra.net/lastoasis.html

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED TOPIC LIST

ARE NOW LISTED AT: Calendar-At-A-Glance

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - SPECIAL LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE CLASS

CLASS LEVEL: Low Intermediate through Professional. NOTE: you ARE also eligible for REGULAR INT/ADV WORKSHOP STYLE CLASSES. ONGOING CLASS. Drop in any time. Class: approx 90min.
PREREQUISITES: None.  This is a special performance focused class customized for whoever is there that week. Live music by members of RaqsBand provided for your practice or your education. Request a critique on any or all sections of your dance to live music, request a certain type of music for practice, receive information about how to handle different sections of a live set, practice or select music for a future live music performance, or simply practice in front of a mirror to whatever is being played. Time of day and class topic guarantees low attendance so you get what level of attention you want! This is not a substitute for a steps or technique class and is only offered 4:30-6 on Tuesdays (okay to start late or leave early... primarily a self-guided opportunity with Saqra ready to assist if desired) .
SCHEDULE CHANGES: Occasionally classes are cancelled or the schedule is modified instead of simply being every week. For advance notice of these schedule changes please see: Calendar-At-A-Glance
FEES: DROP-IN $10/class.. or purchase a 7 CLASS PUNCHCARD/$55 (use within 3 months) or a 10 CLASS PUNCH CARD/$75 (use within 4 months) - punch card good for drop in to ANY class.   CARDS ARE ALSO GOOD FOR BEGINNING DROP IN and INT/ADV CLASSES
DIRECTIONS: http://www.saqra.net/lastoasis.html

Please, no refunds on class fees, and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

• Got a question ? email saqra@saqra.net or call 253-813-8580 for info.

PRIVATE LESSONS & SPECIALTY TOPICS

Middle Eastern Drumming class available. Snake & Sword dancing classes available. Private lessons in these and all the topics listed in her workshop offerings at http://www.saqra.net/workshoptopics.html

INSTRUCTION ON DVD

INSTRUCTION ON DVD: LINK TO AVAILABLE TITLES

Copyright(c) 2008 Saqra. All rights reserved.
saqra@saqra.net