Alay'nya (Alaynya) Studio and the Troupe Seraband; Lyrical Ancient-Modern Dance Expression (Belly Dance) Lessons Alexandria North Virginia (Bellydance; Mid-Easterm Dance, Lyrical Dance) Lessons, Instruction, Classes and Workshops in Greater Metro Washington DC and Northern Virginia NoVA McLean, Alexandria, and Woodbridge, including Fairfax County and Prince William County

<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Alay'nya (Alaynya) Studio and the Troupe Seraband; Lyrical Ancient-Modern Dance Expression (Belly Dance) Lessons Alexandria North Virginia (Bellydance; Mid-Easterm Dance, Lyrical Dance) Lessons, Instruction, Classes and Workshops in Greater Metro Washington DC and Northern Virginia NoVA McLean, Alexandria, and Woodbridge, including Fairfax County and Prince William County

Do you want to get started in dance - or help someone special get started?

Enter the world of women's multicultural dance, drawing on dance movements from the hills of Spain (Moorish "Zambra") to Upper Egypt's Beledi, from Turkish Rom ("Gypsy") dancing to ancient, archetypal dance patterns.

Review the Beginner's Course Overview to see lesson plans and study guides.

The "Classic" Series -- Advanced Beginner / Early Intermediate -- Tuesdays, 7:00 PM (Resuming September 18th, 2007)

The "Charisma" Series -- Advanced Beginner / Early Intermediate -- Sundays, 12:00pm - 1:30pm (Resuming September 23rd, 2007)

Visit our Autumn Quarter Studies page; studies include static principles (review), dynamic principles, beledi with zills, drum solos, and a reprise (during January) of the candle dance methods we learned before Winter Solstice.

If you are a regular student returning to class, please visit our new, updated quarter-by-quarter syllabus overview -- the basis for class organization.

For "mature audiences" only: "Of a Certain Age." This is the one to read if you've ever wondered how mature women could feel vitalized and "sexy." Check it out!
Are you ready for a "life transformation"? If it's time to do something just for yourself, go to Transformations,
Are you new to dance? Go to Your First Three Months in Belly Dance
And are you absolutely brand new (a "baby belly")? Go to Your First Three Weekss in Belly Dance
Do you want ideas and resources for what to wear to class? Go to Costumes and Customs

It took Joan Rivers over seven years to find her "authentic self" as a comedian. It was very scary for her to let her real self emerge. In Enter Talking, she says:

"When I finally did get on the stage, my heart would fall. I could not imagine that all those people in front of me would be my friends tonight. They were frightenting to me ... I was alone ... But the raw newness of this world was cutting me loose too. The process had ... liberated me ... from everything I had been taught about everything, from all the oughts and shoulds that had been holding me down -- ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes ...And from then on, year by year, a rope was cut here, a rope was chopped there -- and now it was happening in a big rush, until eventually, I was able to go up ... I was even more free, more honest, more able to say onstage the things that girls think about."

Joan Rivers, From: Enter Talking, 1986.

Are you new to dance? CLICK HERE to read about the history, culture, and evolution of women's multicultural dance expressions.

What does "esoteric dance" mean? Click on Esoteric Dance to start with a simple and free first lesson. (And you don't even have to be a member of our studio to do this!)

Do you want to learn how women's multicultural dance can help you with your health and fitness? CLICK HERE to read how you can get firm and toned using the graceful, sensual, and ancient art of women's dance.

Fun at our Different Class Locations! Alay’nya and students in a recent class.

(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES) Photo Credit: Leila Grimm, used with permission

Beginner’s Classes

Will start up again in the fall! Keep checking back for dates and times.

Sunday at 2:00PM, McLean (Alay'nya's private studio, by invitation only - please contact Studio Administrator Nancy: Nancy_AlaynyaStudio (at) yahoo (dot) com for more information);

Details and directions for each of these studios / locations in the next section. And look in the sections below for some cool links for beginners.

Intermediate-Level Classes

Sundays at 12pm and Tuesdays at 7:00PM, McLean (Alay'nya's private studio, by invitation only - please contact Studio Administrator Nancy: Nancy_AlaynyaStudio (at) yahoo (dot) com for more information);

"Second Sunday" Monthly Workshops - Women's Multicultural Dance

Our "Second Sundays" workshops will resume in Spring of 2008, and will be held at 10AM. They are open to anyone who would like to join us - from Studio regulars to guests from out-of-town and "sister studios," to those of you who would just like to check out this kind of dance. Please go to our "Calendar" page to learn about the specific topic that we'll address for each different monthly workshop.

McLean classes taught by Alay'nya; If you want other North VA classes, please contact teachers listed below.

Woodbridge: Beginner's / Advanced Beginner's - Sunday 2PM - Taught by Barb S. -- an email to nharris at yahoo.com will be forwarded to Barb.
Springfield: Beginner's / Advanced Beginner's - Taught by Carmen -- contact info forthcoming.
Sterling: Katayoun - link to Katayoun's website coming soon -- contact info forthcoming.
Reston: Amustela - link to Amustela's website coming soon -- contact info forthcoming.

McLean Classes at Alay'nya's Private Studio

Location: Northern McLean; please contact Nancy @ NHarris2004@yahoo.com for directions.
Intermediate / Advanced Beginner's Classes" are at 12pm on Sundays and 7:30 PM on Mondays (changing from Monday nights to Tuesday nights effective September 18th, 2007) Join anytime!

McLean "Second Sunday" Workshops at McLean School of Ballet and Jazz (Alternate Location for certain workshops in Spring, 2007)

Location: 1437 Emerson Ave., McLean, VA, 22101. Good off-street parking next to studio. Safe area.
CLICK HERE for directions to the McLean Classes on Tuesday Evenings at the McLean School of Ballet and Jazz.
"Mixed Classes" (one-room-schoolhouse) are open to all -Join anytime!

Are you a "Baby Belly"? If you are absolutely brand new to women's multiculturaldance, then you're what we call a "baby belly" - and we're so glad you're joining in the fun!

We've set up two web pages just for you; read these at your leisure:

CLICK HERE if you want to read about Your First Three Weeks in Belly Dance - our first "welcome in" page.
CLICK HERE if you want to read about Your First Three Months in Belly Dance - designed to give some useful tips for getting started; minimizing complexity while giving you useful options.

"Advanced Beginners" currently meet with Intermediates for a "layered" instruction - enhanced "basics" for Beginners, growing into more interesting patterns and greater internal awareness for those who have been with us for a while.

Current Intermediate Class starts at 12pm on Sundays and 7:30PM on Mondays. We start with warm-ups, and progress through core drills to enhanced basic / ntermediate techniques, and advanced / precision drills and "overlay" methods. We follow with choreographies, where you apply the new techniques and combinations you have just learned. In the different quarters, we study zill patterns, veil movements, and "special topics," along with appropriate energy practices.

Contact Alay’nya for set up advanced studies and/or private lessons. Please direct emails alaynya at ("@") alaynya.com.

We have different kinds of workshops, ranging from "Principles" to special techniques - such as candle dancing.

New to Women's Multicultural dance? Second Sundays BEGINNER'S Beginners Workshop, starting Late Winter / Early Spring 2007; from 10 - 11, either at Alay'nya's Private Studio (McLean) or the McLean School of Ballet and Jazz. $25.00. Please check our Calendar page, as we occasionally have to shift a workshop date.

Drum Solo Workshop

CLICK HERE to learn about our Drum Solo Curriculum. When condensed into a workshop, you will learn a dynamic, fast-paced One Minute Drum Solo. This drum solo workshop builds to increasing levels of technical complexity and dynamic expression. Beginners will gain precision and core, re-useable techniques from the first half of the choreography. More advanced students can build on this work to have a complete drum solo, very suitable for finishing out a short performance. The latter choreography half includes virtuoso techniques that will challenge you physically, mentally, and energetically. These latter techniques also provide you with a unique introduction to "energy work" in the context of fast-paced performance - a challenge even for advanced students! As a result, you will gain not only technique, and a deeper understanding of how to build choreography, but also a way to practice building the energy and excitement in a piece - all within a single minute!

December, 2006:

Candle Dance Workshop: This on is very special; it has a sort of "mystical" significance - working with fire. So we only offer it at the darkest time of the year. Our next REGULARLY SCHEDULED Candle Dance Workshop will be held in December, 2006. Over this year, we will continue to update the candle dance web page, so go to Candle Dancing to learn more!

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COSTS AND PRICING
How Much Do Classes Cost?

Classes are paid for either with cash or with Class Certificates. If you are a Studio member, you can buy Certificates in bulk and save money. The Certificates can be applied to regular class, privates, or workshops. You can also use your certificates at any time for a regular class, or for a private class.

Studio membership is $139.00 per year, and lasts for the calendar year. (Prorated for students joining during the last six months of the year; new memberships from Thanksgiving on will extend through the following year.) Studio membership renewals are due in January.

Classes are $54.00/class for non-members, and $45.00/class for members. By purchasing "certificate sets," you can get good price reductions. Details - and any ongoing specials - will be given when you attend your first class.

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FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Best Age Ranges for Starting Women's Multicultural Dance?

Between 18 and 81 is pretty good. Not kidding! These dance forms are intense, with very deep conditioning and toning. They also give you a no-impact exercise form. This kind of dance helps us develop our abdominal muscles as well as improving posture and releasing stress on our spines. Starting early is best, but any age is good. As always, if you have any health or medical concerns, consult with your doctor before starting this or any other exercise program.

For more "FAQS" about getting started in women's multicultural dance - CLICK HERE to go to Your First Three Weeks in Belly Dance!

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