Aalim Belly Dance & Arabian Silk
- St Louis, MO
- Belly Dancer
- 1 Verified Booking
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Ignite your world with dance! Shyama is the preeminent professional dark metal fusion belly dance performer and instructor in the St. Louis area.
Shyama offers belly dance lessons for beginning and intermediate learners. Lessons are made to fit each student, and are paced as the student needs. She teaches belly dance fusion, sword dance, veil dance, voi spinning, and metal belly dance. Lessons can be held on weekday evenings and flexible times on weekends. Shyama can also teach workshops at larger events if a space is provided.
Shyama also brings a unique dance experience to events from receptions to live music shows! Performance in traditional or metal fusion belly dance available.
I've been so grateful to be taking belly dancing lessons from Shyama for the majority of this year. It began as an activity that my future mother-in-law and I could do together for fun and a way for me to interact with Shyama even though we were no longer at the same workplace, but it turned into so much more. The first time I tried belly dancing, I could barely do a hip slide. Now I am putting together sequences of moves in dance routines. Shyama is extremely patient, always letting me try steps over and over until I feel comfortable. She always has a pleasant demeanor and has great ways of describing moves, especially if I'm not getting it and a more creative explanation has to be used. Belly dancing is difficult and can be hard for someone, especially if they are not comfortable with their body. Shyama makes me feel at ease and more comfortable expressing myself with my body, which is a beautiful thing! Also, she is an incredible dancer herself but very humble. She also invites her students to belly dancing events, which is very inclusive of her, recognizing that all who are interested in the art of belly dance have something to contribute to the community's belly dancing culture.
I took private belly dance lessons with Mandy earlier this year and loved every minute of it! She has a real passion for dance and it shows in her work. Although feeling a little self conscious at times dancing in front of her, she always made me feel comfortable and relaxed. Her skill is astounding (just ask to watch HER!) and it was so much fun to learn from a girl who loves what she does. Shimmies!!
Price Range: $150-300 per hour
Gig Length: 30 - 120 minutes
Languages: English
A student can expect a fun, relaxed environment for class with a sociable and supportive instructor. Shyama is very flexible in time to meet as well as what is completed each session. She will adjust her teaching to fit your learning style, pace, and personal dance interests. Each lesson will begin with warm up stretches to prepare the body for dance. Then the lesson will begin with review of previous sessions, learning new moves step by step, and adding them together for combinations and possibly choreography depending on the lesson. The lesson will end with a short cool down. If you have special requests for your lesson, be sure to ask and receive!
For performances, one can expect to be mesmerized with the talent, stage presence, and excitement of Shyama's dance. Bringing a variety of music and props, Shyama is sure to please any audience!
Shyama began her study of belly dance in January 2012, after being mesmerized by gypsy-style belly dancers at several renaissance faires. She started by taking classes at the Urbana Park District under the instruction of the spectacular Cindi Adkins. Shyama quickly caught on to the intricate moves involved in belly dance, and always wanted to learn more, and more... Shyama continues to study under Cindi, take workshops with other professionals, and do extensive research on all styles and techniques of belly dancing. Her obsession grew into a lifestyle as she joined her class troupe, briefly performed with a heavy metal troupe, and did solo work. Shyama's musical tastes have always involved metal in all its forms, and upon meeting like-minded dancers, the troupe Stygian Sisters was born.
Shyama specializes in fusion belly dance, sword dance, veil dance, zils, and voi spinning. As her following has grown, she has begun teaching private belly dancing lessons.
Lessons are held at Hybrid Performance Arts in Urbana, and drop ins are welcome.
For performance, Shyama must be provided with clean space to perform, sound equipment and/or electrical hook ups, appropriate lighting, and a dressing room.
Available Lessons:
**Beginner's Fusion
**Intermediate/Advanced Fusion
**Basic Choreography (learn a simple dance of Shyama's, or build one to your own music with Shyama)
**Advanced Choreography (learn a complex dance of Shyama's, or build one to your own music with Shyama)
**Metal Choreography (learn one of Shyama's personal metal choreographies)
**Sword Dance
**Veil Dance
**Belly Dance with Zils (finger cymbals)
**Voi Spinning (space allowing. May have to be held outdoors)
My wonderful instructor Cindi Adkins is a constant inspiration.
Others include Rachel Brice, Ariellah Aflalo, Ashley Lopez, Zoe Jakes, Kimberly Larkspur, Acushla, Diana Bastet and Mahafsoun.
And of course, my fellow dancers in the Stygian Sisters.
Clean flooring
Open space
Sound equipement, or electrical hook ups
Dressing Room
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