We're raising money for Hope House! Join us Saturday, May 7, 2:30 at Aladin on Rte 17 in Fredericksburg, VA. We'll have performances, raffle prizes, a shimmy contest, and all sorts of other bellydance fun.

We're starting the next session of classes at Strictly Ballroom in Fredericksburg, VA this Monday, March 7. Both classes will learn choreography during the March/April session to perform at my 5th annual fundraiser hafla on Saturday, May 7.

The 7 pm "Continuing Bellydance" class is for Intermediate level and above. "Intro and Essentials" at 8 pm is suitable for beginners and advanced beginners. If you are new to classes with me and are unsure about which level is right for you, please contact me and let me know what dance training you already have.

The fee for all seven classes is $75, paid on March 7. You can still drop in for one class for $15, but $75 for seven is a much better deal! There is no class on April 6. Arrive 10-15 minutes before class on the first night of the session to sign up at the front desk.

Q: What if I can't attend March 7, but still want to learn the choreography?
A: Your best option is to sign up for the full session, even if you have to miss a class. Not only is it less expensive than paying for the remaining classes individually, if you sign up for all seven, I will put you on the class mailing list right away. You will receive video clips for practicing as well as song information.

Q: Where is Strictly Ballroom?
A: I have instructions with photos here on my site.

Q: I'm not sure I want to perform. Is it required to be in the class?
A: Performing is not required. I like to provide opportunities for students to share what they have learned, but it is optional.

Hope you can join us!

In late October 2015, I had my first (and only, so far) experience with sciatica. The strange pain that would either be in my right glute, back of the thigh, or even just above the back of the knee was alarming, especially since I had a troupe performance and a special Advanced Artistry intensive with Yasmina Ramzy coming up. While I could still function normally, certain movements (like getting up from a chair or out of the car) were very painful. I was amazed that my dancing was minimally affected, other than deep hip circles and dancing with caution. However, I knew dancing without treating it would make it worse, so I immediately started researching solutions. While the problem wasn't resolved before I went to Toronto for the intensive, all of my pain was gone within about six weeks. As of this writing in late February 2016, it hasn't reoccurred.

Sciatica can be caused by various circumstances, depending on your own lifestyle, so please consult a physician for guidance. I am not a health care professional.

Many people develop sciatica due to disc issues or during pregnancy, but I believe I personally developed sciatica because of not stretching the hip muscles enough following dance training and performing (this is very common among dancers, I found out) and from long sessions of driving without sitting properly. Plus, some recent life issues (day job and dance job) were very stressful for me and in general I was not taking the time to alleviate the stress, so my muscles were absorbing it. While I do get a monthly massage and my massage therapist worked on my hip that session, I knew I needed to spend some time researching solutions and putting the ideas into practice.

The sciatic nerve actually fascinated me. If it's under pressure, it can affect muscles all the way from the pelvis to the foot! From what I read, I needed to focus on the piriformis and psoas muscles, as well as the IT band. When these areas are tight, they can I already had "liked" the Core Walking Program on Facebook and found many of the posts helpful as I researched advice for stretching and posture corrections. Therefore many of the links here go to corewalking.com, though I am not affiliated with their program in any way. I recommend reading through the articles I have linked below and testing out what resonates with your individual situation.

Info about the psoas

Great stretch for the IT band

Pigeon pose for the piriformis muscle

Driving tips for sciatica and piriformis syndrome (this was especially helpful for me)

Reflexology for sciatic nerve disfunction

Best treatments for sciatic nerve pain

8 easy yoga poses to relieve sciatica pain in 16 minutes or less

Sciatic nerve pain relieve begs for good posture and core tone

Video of "frog belly" for stretching the piriformis (ended up being one of my favorite stretches)

Video for piriformis release

Video for using a tennis ball to massage for sciatic nerve relief

One last note, don't forget to acknowledge that you need to eliminate or at least alleviate stressful life situations. Getting away from my day job for a week while I focused on dance in Toronto did wonders for my sciatica. I was worried about the 10 hour drive there making it worse, but knowing I had a week to focus on healing while expanding my dance abilities helped me greatly. During the week away, I was able to spend quiet, quality time stretching and attending to the issue. It didn't hurt that I didn't have to drive in stop-and-go traffic for five days, either!

Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Fredericksburg, VA 

(At least six months of dance experience is recommended for these workshops.)

Time: 12 noon-4:30 pm  (30 min. break between workshops)  
Location: Bodyworks, Fredericksburg, VA    
Cost: $40 each or $70 for both        

Payable through PayPal. Or pay at the door via check/cash. Click here for form.

Shamadan with Kiyaana 12 noon - 2:00 pm $40	Saidi with Blythe 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm $40	Both Workshops 12 noon - 4:30 pm $70

Our workshop location is Bodyworks in downtown Fredericksburg, VA, approx. 10 minutes from exit 130A off of I-95. Find more details here about driving and parking. Park in the lot behind Bodyworks, off of Sophia (one-way street) and Amelia (also a one-way). **Use the parking lot entrance to get inside.** OR park in one of the visitor lots off of Sophia St. or the downtown parking garage (and walk several blocks to Bodyworks).

More about the instructors:
Blythe discovered her love of orientale dance in 2000 and found her mentor in master instructor, Faten, in 2007.  She is a company director and instructor at Saffron Dance, and is a member of Faten's two dance companies at Saffron. Blythe is also a member of Al Massraweya, a folkloric troupe dedicated to presenting Faten Salama's choreographies, with Eleni, Kiyaana, Sama, and Zaira.  Blythe is also a costumer who makes many folkloric and orientale costumes for groups and soloists.

Kiyaana has been a lifelong dancer, but discovered her true love in Raqs Sharqi, the "Dance of the East", or bellydance. She began studying bellydance over ten years ago and has warmly embraced the music, culture, and history of this Middle Eastern dance form. Kiyaana has been teaching weekly classes in Fredericksburg for over six years and is the director of her student group, Sameeha Bellydance Collective. Like Blythe, she is also a member of Faten's "Fellahi" performance company at Saffron Dance and a member of Al Massraweya.

Watch a performance showing Blythe and Kiyaana using shamadan and assaya here.

If you are not able to attend, the workshop fee(s) are not refundable. However, you may transfer your workshop(s) to another dancer. If the workshop(s) are cancelled, you will receive a full refund.