About Iona's Belly Dance Lessons
Iona is currently available for performance coaching and individual or group lessons
in the Greater New Orleans area and southeast Louisiana.
in the Greater New Orleans area and southeast Louisiana.
BEGINNER LEVEL Lessons include:
Focusing warm-up
Technique: body isolations, shimmies, travel steps, dancer poise, undulations, and more; emphasis is placed on proper posture, and centering/balance
Coordination of movements to belly dance music and simple combos
Yoga-style cool down
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL/ TROUPE lessons generally have the same format as the Beginner Level but with the addition of more challenging movements, layering of movements, choreography, trouble shooting/coaching, and practice with dance props. Students in the intermediate class are invited to participate in troupe performances but are not required.
ADVANCED/ TROUPE and SPECIALTY LESSONS address technique suited to specific dance styles or props, like zils, sword, cane, etc, and are intended for dancers who already have a basic foundation of belly dance technique beyond beginner; teacher consent may be required if lessons are designed specifically to culminate in troupe performance.
OPEN/ MIXED LEVEL: practice with a variety of moves for beginners plus. Focus is on honing technique, while expanding range and flexibility in a choreography. Geared to accommodate dancers of all levels.
GROUP PARTY LESSONS: Come shake your shimmy! Have a belly dance lesson for your party or special event! Visit Booking Options for info.
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTION: Iona is available for belly dance workshop instruction in the continental US. Visit Booking Options for current offerings.
What to wear: for any class level, wear clothes that allow free movement, like gym or dance wear. A hip scarf is also suggested, but we have some to borrow for class time. Optional: midriffs to show off your belly, whether it's big or small; comfy dance shoes, such as lyric or Hermes sandals, which can be helpful for those with sensitive tootsies, but bare feet do just fine! Props are required for specialty classes.
Focusing warm-up
Technique: body isolations, shimmies, travel steps, dancer poise, undulations, and more; emphasis is placed on proper posture, and centering/balance
Coordination of movements to belly dance music and simple combos
Yoga-style cool down
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL/ TROUPE lessons generally have the same format as the Beginner Level but with the addition of more challenging movements, layering of movements, choreography, trouble shooting/coaching, and practice with dance props. Students in the intermediate class are invited to participate in troupe performances but are not required.
ADVANCED/ TROUPE and SPECIALTY LESSONS address technique suited to specific dance styles or props, like zils, sword, cane, etc, and are intended for dancers who already have a basic foundation of belly dance technique beyond beginner; teacher consent may be required if lessons are designed specifically to culminate in troupe performance.
OPEN/ MIXED LEVEL: practice with a variety of moves for beginners plus. Focus is on honing technique, while expanding range and flexibility in a choreography. Geared to accommodate dancers of all levels.
GROUP PARTY LESSONS: Come shake your shimmy! Have a belly dance lesson for your party or special event! Visit Booking Options for info.
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTION: Iona is available for belly dance workshop instruction in the continental US. Visit Booking Options for current offerings.
What to wear: for any class level, wear clothes that allow free movement, like gym or dance wear. A hip scarf is also suggested, but we have some to borrow for class time. Optional: midriffs to show off your belly, whether it's big or small; comfy dance shoes, such as lyric or Hermes sandals, which can be helpful for those with sensitive tootsies, but bare feet do just fine! Props are required for specialty classes.