bellydanceodysseyproductions

Last week I took my first Anti-gravity class with Hillary Ana Flecha at Dance Odyssey Studio.  I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly from a class entitled “Anti-Gravity,” but I was very intrigued.  I knew that Ana has had extensive training in Frey Faust’s Axis Syllabus, and that she has also studied aerial dance which has always appealed to me.

I am primarily a bellydancer, and I teach a bellydance fitness class right before the Anti-gravity class.  Ana’s class was such a refreshing change from bellydance.  We started out on the floor, letting our hips just roll and stretch.  We focused on our muscles staying loose and relaxed, while letting the momentum of our bodies carry us through space. Afterwards, I felt like I had just run a mile and then gotten a very nice massage.  I can’t wait to go back.

-Jalilah

On April 7th, 2007 Suzanne brought the very talented Karim Nagi to Santa Cruz. Karim taught a workshop on zill technique and another on dancer/drummer communication, both of which got rave reviews on BDSC.

That evening Karim headlined a show at Coastline Brewery in Santa Cruz. Special guest dancers were Janelle, Sorsha, Bellydance Odyssey, Sahar, and BellySema. Karim gave a very high energy tabla performance and ended the evening with an amazing cane dance.

We hope he pays Santa Cruz another visit soon.

Nafila, Yasmin, Karim, Jalilah, Vashti

Sorsha, Vashti, Yasmin, Nafila, Sahar, Jalilah kneeling

Post pictures if you’ve got them!

Dance Odyssey Studio opened its doors in June, 2007 and is the FIRST dance studio to be opened in Soquel. Dance Odyssey Studio is owned by four local bellydancers who share a common love of world dance and music, and whose goal it is to promote and support local artists.

Dance Odyssey Studio offers classes for teens and adults in bellydance, hip-hop, world dance fusion, pilates, yoga, cardio kickboxing, and dance fitness. Starting in the fall, Dance Odyssey will also be offering classes for kids classes in Capoeira, Hula, Musical Theater, Bellydance, and Dance Fusion.

Come check us out!

Bellydance Odyssey Productions, owned by Jalilah, Nafila, Vashti and Yasmin, is based in Santa Cruz, California. We produce theatrical belly dance shows and host a variety of artists from throughout the nation. We are the producers of the Luna Gitana Belly Dance Festival, now in its sixth year. We also regularly produce shows with reknowned artists such as Suhaila Salimpour (Bal Anat Tribal Karnivale) and AZIZA (Cairo Nights with Aziza). Most recently, we’ve opened a dance studio where we are offering regular instruction in belly dance and other complimentary dance forms. Welcome!