Astarte Studio Online & Live Classes

* Class Timetable
* Class Descriptions
* Dance Safety for Online Classes
* Setting up a Dedicated Home Dance Space
* Tips for Getting the Most Out of your Online Dance Classes 

​TUESDAY
6.00pm  A-Z BELLYDANCE & NAWARA - with Kylie 
Join Kylie for a Saiid Party. We'll be exploring the traditional and modern versions of Cane dance from Tahtib to Saiidi style, to the the stages of Cairo with Baladi.  Learn fun combinations from A-Z bellydance as well as engaging in some merriment with some tricky tricks. We'll wrap up the term with a choreography to Saiidi Party by the Upper Egypt ensemble. Bring a cane to online class, or if you room is small and you don't have a cane, you can practice with a feather duster and clean while you dance.  :)
TUESDAY
7.00pm World Fusion - with Kylie
This term we'll be exploring the art of old school slink, drilling lots of slinky movements and combinations inspired by Rachel Brice, The Indigo and Deb Rubin, then combining them to create a sassy and fun choreography. Get ready to get gooey with a big splash of sassitude! ​
WEDNESDAY
6.00pm FCBD World Fusion Bellydance with Mandylynne
Take a step back in time to Vintage style FCBD with Mandylynne. Explore vintage movements to create variety in your FCBD vocabulary and solo work. 
7.00pm LIVE Specialty Classes and Workshops  with Kylie*
***NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE***
(5 x WEEK Sword intensive running week 6-10.)
SWORD
​ Pre-requisite: Participants will be expected to know the 8 directional sword dance kata prior to entering this class. Please contact me to organise a private lesson within the first 5 weeks of term 3 if wishing to participate. Private sword tuition is also available to students who wish to learn sword dance, review content, advance their skills, or polish their technique. 

THURSDAY
6.30pm-8.00pm LIVE Drumming Workshops
Learn the rhythms of the Nile in our fortnightly live drumming classes. Suitable for all levels. See Workshops & events page for links

SATURDAY
​9.30am Steampunk Vagabonds professional troupe rehearsals (*Closed rehearsals)
​All our ONLINE classes are recorded for students to access for up to 12 weeks or more.
​Classes run for approximately 45-50 minutes, allowing for check in and chat time, as well as questions. 
​*See workshops for specialty class information
​**Live classes will take place in Kylie's home studio in Oak Flats (unless otherwise notified).
ONLINE CLASS PACKAGES
Single class enrolment - $130
2 x class enrolment - $230
3 x class enrolment - $300
(*Excluding specialty workshops)
*** Please book separately for ​our LIVE Sword and drumming classes as spaces are strictly limited.

Dance Safety for Online Classes

In any dance or exercise program, your health and safety always comes first. Please read through the following information to ensure you are aware of potential risks, and how to alleviate them. 
  • Ensure you have completed a pre-exercise health screen, and that your information is up to date (available at www.bellydanceshellharbour.com ).
  • Please inform your teachers of any illness, injury or unusual pain that may be interfere with your ability to exercise at the beginning of any live class. If you wish to keep it private, you can use the personal message option on Zoom.
  • Please ensure you have a clear and clean space to dance in, with no obstacles that could be a potential trip hazard, or loose or hanging objects that could pose a danger, or potential threat in terms of injury.​
  • Be aware of the surface you are dancing on. Slippery surfaces may require soft soled shoes.
  • Every physical activity, however gentle, can still pose an element of risk. Understand that you are participating at your own risk, and that self monitoring is essential.
  • Move within your personal capacity. If a specific movement causes you unusual pain or discomfort, cease the movement immediately, or choose a modified variation.
  • Please do not hesitate to ask questions or seek advice, especially in a live Zoom class. Your teacher is there to help you and will be happy to offer a modification or variation.
  • If a specific exercise or movement results in continuous or chronic pain, or you experience unusual shortness of breath or change in heart rate not related to exercise, please cease the activity and seek the advice of a health professional.
  • If you are arriving late to class, or catching up online, please ensure you are adequately warmed up in your muscles and joints prior to commencing the class. If you are not sure what to do you can refer to our Astarte Studio Belly Dance library, where you will find a variety of different 3-5 minute dance warm ups posted.

Setting Up a Dedicated Home Dance Space

Ensuring you have a dedicated space for dancing in will assist you in creating a mindset and routine for regular classes, as well as providing you with a space for personal practice. Your dance space doesn’t need to be expansive, just big enough for you to be able to move relatively unencumbered with most basic movements.
  • Choose a space with a level floor, and adequate lighting.
  • Ensure you have enough space to travel forward, back and to the sides, and that you have room to stretch up and lift up your arms.
  • Clear your space of any potential trip hazards or unstable objects. Take note also of any hanging lights or fixtures that may inhibit movement or need to be worked around.
  • Have your dance props stored in the designated space or close by. A stylish basket or small shelves or bookcase can store most bellydance items.
  • Room dividers and screens are handy for creating the feeling of a whole new space, and also for maintaining an element of privacy.
  • Set up your screen so it can easily be seen. If you are fortunate enough to have a space set up with a smart TV, this is the best option. However, laptops and tablets can also work extremely effectively when positioned on a table or at eye level.​
  • If participating in live classes, ensure that your teacher is able to see your whole body, and if not, that your camera can be adjusted if needed for any focused work.
  • Add a personal touch to your exercise space that makes it feel nice to be in, such as a plant, an inspiring image, motivational quote, a splash of colour, draping fabric, or piece of decorative furniture. Mirrors are entirely optional.
  • This is the space I have set up for teaching live Zoom classes from home. It is in my front lounge area, close to my wi-fi router.

Tips for getting the Most out of your Online Dance Classes

  • Make sure you have the latest update of Zoom installed on your device.
  • Ensure that your device screen can easily be seen from your exercise position, and/or adjusted accordingly.
  • Ensure you have all the dance props you need close by or set up for each session. Your teacher will let you know what you need ahead of time.
  • Check in at the allocated time for a pre-class chat, and discussion of any tips, techniques, or things you need to know.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions at the beginning or end of each session, or even throughout sessions. Zoom classes are meant to be interactive and your teacher is there to help you.
  • Use the comments/chat box if you are having difficulties with your microphone, or wish to send a message to your teacher or the group.​
  • Try not to watch the screen the whole time. Once you are settled into a movement, focus on your posture and alignment, and how the movement feels in your body.
  • Get to know your fellow online attendees, and feel free to engage in positive discussion with them both onscreen as well as in your class groups. Although we may not be in the same physical space, we are all here to support each other in the virtual space.
  • Dress up for class and practice, even if it is just adding a hip scarf, putting a flower in your hair, or adding some lip gloss. Make it feel like a special occasion, or a special date with dance.
  • Mirrors are entirely optional. If you do not have mirrors, but want to check your movements, you can put your camera on reverse and use it like a mirror, or even film yourself dancing.