The true beauty of dance comes from your soul!
Raqia

2007 Louisville Magazine Award/
Belly Dance Instructor: Raqia (Critics’ Choice)

Hip shimmy, shoulder shimmy, camel walk, knee locks. These are all parts of the ancient art of belly dancing — and, apparently, the modern art as well. The Middle Eastern tradition, with roots in the 14th century, is coming out from behind the veil at several studios in the Louisville area. For the growing number of belly dancing students, instruction is a must, and tops among teachers is Rachel Reich (performing as Raqia), who conducts weekly sessions in the Gypsies of the Nile Studio at the White House Building (222 Pearl St. in downtown New Albany). She also instructs at workshops in other venues, including schools and education centers.

She goes over every step several times to ensure that each student can perform it and creates CDs of appropriate music and worksheets, handing them to her students for at-home practice. A master at sensing each student’s interests, she makes the classroom a relaxed environment where her pupils feel comfortable making mistakes and asking questions. “My vision is to encourage women to discover self-love, sisterhood and a sense of well-being,” says Raqia, who also takes the stage as a member of the Gypsies of the Nile troupe.

She began belly dancing in 2003 after battling a life-threatening illness. Belly dancing offered her a way to reconnect with her soul and regain confidence in herself, positives she now makes available for each and every one of her students.

Belly Dance Basic Moves/Choreography/Veil
Wednesdays/Ongoing
6:00-7:30pm
$15 per class
4 wks package for $50.00 (exp 2 mths)

In this class you will learn or review the art of Belly Dance, basic steps, veil movements, expressing emotion through dance and finally putting it together with a small choreography, All classes will begin with a full body warm-up to prvent injury and towards the end a cool down period with slower movements to lower heart rate.

@Gypsies of the Nile Studio
White House Building /basement
222 Pearl Street
Downtown New Albany, IN 47150
To register or for additional info contact Raqia;
www.raqiabellydance.com