This course is paced out as a 4-week program with a new set of lessons landing in your inbox every week! That being said, it's a self-paced course so you can go through it as quickly or as slowly as you'd like. I recommend carving out an hour-ish per week, spread out or all at once, to dance. You'll have lifetime access to the course materials, and can access them from any device, including screen mirroring them onto your TV. As soon as you register, you get 4 weeks free membership into our community. After that, you have the option of staying connected, getting support, inspiration, exchanging videos, and joining live Q&As for a $7 monthly subscription. 

Each week of this course includes warm-ups, which include some moves that you may recognize as review from Belly Dance Basics, new moves that you can practice from six different positions, opportunities to dance it out with me virtually at some of my favorite outdoor locations, and a wind down, where we settle back into our bodies. In addition to the regular course materials, you'll get weekly prompts in your inbox that include a link to that week's materials, an assignment for the week, and an opportunity to connect with the community. Throughout the program, you can always ask for clarification on movements, additional support or accommodations if you need them, and you can share videos of your own progress so we can celebrate your movement in a safe, supportive space!

Absolutely! This course is designed to be accessible for everyone, regardless of your dance experience. I definitely recommend doing Belly Dance Basics first, if you haven't already. You can find a full breakdown for some of the movements like the shimmy and front-to-back hip pops in Belly Dance Basics, but in this program, I teach them briefly in the warm-up as a review. That being said, you can still do this full program as a stand-alone, if you prefer. Think of it like you're watching the sequel to a movie without having seen the first one. There's always some level of recap, but if you want all the juicy details, you'll want to watch both! As for the new moves taught in this program, I break them down step by step and give you ample opportunity to practice them from different positions to really hone the core of the movement. Whether you're brand new or a veteran, this program can help build your flexibility and mobility.

Belly dance is a great way to re-enter movement, no matter what your condition. It played a major role in my recovery from gun violence, chronic pain, and child birth. I survived a shooting when I was 21 years old, and belly dance helped me get back on my feet again. I use accommodations for myself whenever I'm in pain, and I make sure to provide accommodations as much as possible. I always encourage participants to share any concerns with me so I can support them, and I encourage you to find movements that feel best to you. It's important to go at whatever pace works best for your individual body.

*Note: Please make sure to check in with a specialist before you decide to join if you have concerns beyond minor aches and pains.

That's exactly what this course is for. This is a safe and supportive environment where you can learn to express your anger without judgment. It's all about creating an opening so you can start to express your anger in a healthy way. I completely understand feeling scared of your own anger, especially if you've experienced violence or if you've held it in for a long time. It can feel overwhelming, and you might be scared that your anger will completely take over. It's important to remember that violence often comes from people bottling up their anger without having an outlet. Let this program be one of many safe outlets you create in your life so that you don't unintentionally lash out at the people you love. Anger doesn't have to be a source of destruction; it can be used as a tool to create healthy boundaries, advocacy, and even art in your life.

All you need is a bottle of water to stay hydrated and a scarf to tie around your waist, if you want to highlight the movement like we do traditionally. You'll also want to make sure you have enough space for movement. Because I teach the movement from so many different positions, it's helpful to have a chair, a yoga mat (or comfortable place to lay, which can include your bed), and something sturdy to lean on, like a table or counter. You don't need all of those things at any given time, but if you're planning on practicing from all of the different positions I teach, it's helpful to have those props! That being said, you can dance from your living room, kitchen, bedroom, yard, a park, or in any place you'd like. Find anywhere that works best for you!

A lot of people imagine that you have to have your stomach showing, and that you have to wear some fancy outfit to belly dance. I usually just wear traditional loose-fitting dresses to dance, and stretch pants and a tank top to teach so you can see the details of the movements. I encourage all participants to wear whatever feels comfortable on your body! I will be wearing stretch pants for the teaching aspects of the program, because that's usually what my students prefer. That being said, something loser allows for more bounce when I'm shimmying or popping, so the constrictive clothing does change the aesthetics of the dance. Maybe you'll be able to notice the difference! I also love using a hip scarf to help with isolation. You can use any kind of scarf for that, but you don't need one in order to participate.

In short, no. The point of this program isn't to stop feeling angry altogether—anger's a natural part of life, and it can actually be a healthy motivator. It can help you recognize the things you care about, set healthy boundaries with the people in your life, and it can help you make the impact you want to see in the world. While anger can be an uncomfortable emotion, the point of this program is to get more comfortable expressing it as it comes up. You don't have to bottle it up, let it fester, and ultimately implode or explode. You can find satisfaction in letting it out in a safe space, and using it to drive your creativity.

My belly dance programs help you discover and enhance your natural rhythm, flow, and sensuality. In each lesson, we play music and I invite you to find different beats to move to. The more practice you get, the more comfortable you'll be with finding the rhythm to different kinds of music. You'll also get access to my playlists so you can listen to them whenever you want, and get familiar with the beats!

Absolutely! Belly dance helped me heal physically and emotionally after six pregnancies, including three miscarriages. It's used in different parts of the world to assist with birth and recovery, and it's a powerful way to reconnect with your changing body. Because each participant is encouraged to go at their own pace, you'll discover movements and practices that feel good to you. That being said, it's important to prioritize guidance and recommendations from your midwife or obstetrician.

The best part about having a self-paced program is that you have lifetime access, so you can revisit the lessons whenever you want! They're designed to become regular practices to help build strength and agility over time. The goal of this course is to help you build healthy habits that are easy to implement during and outside of the program. You can also continue your membership inside the community after the 4-week free access by paying a monthly $7 fee. You'll be able to continue getting tips, inspiration, you can reach out for support, and you can join any live lessons that take place inside the community. If you love what you get in this program, I encourage you to join one of my other online or in-person programs to deepen your experience. And if you love the flexibility you find here, make sure to stay connected so you can be the first to know when I put out new, more advanced programs!

The best part about having a self-paced program is that you can schedule it out however you want. You can do 10 minutes a day, one hour a week, or incorporate the lessons into your life as your go. The other benefit of this program is that it's broken up into bite-sized pieces, so you can do one lesson while you're standing up and washing the dishes, and another lesson while you're sitting down and typing on the computer. One of the goals is for you to incorporate movement into your everyday life, so the more you do that when you're in the program, the better!

I do have older mini-lessons on my YouTube page, so feel free to subscribe here! It's not the same as getting that direct support with the full lessons and community, but it's a start. It can be so hard to justify investing time and money on yourself sometimes. I completely understand! I have to remind myself regularly that my emotional and physical health are worth it. I've found that when you take the step to invest in yourself, you're so much more likely to show up and get the most out of it. If there's something inside you that's calling you to sign up, take the leap if you can! Your life and well-being truly are worth it. Otherwise, I hope we can stay connected and belly dance together one day soon!