You can choose from these workshops or ask me for a special topic:
Shimmies / 2 - 4 hours
One of the most popular topics! There is not only just "the
shimmy" but various techniques to make your body parts
shake and vibrate as well as walking with shimmies. These techniques
can also be combined with other movem
Arms and hands / 2 hoursArms have different functions in dance: to frame, accompany and lead movements or to express music, moods and personality of the dancer. This workshop is focussed on raising your awareness of your arms and their possibilities.
Steps and combinations - 2 - 4 hours
MEISSOUN teaches her special concept for steps in Oriental
dance. Few basic steps develop into interesting, varied combinations.
The basic understanding of how combinations are built allows
you to master complex step combinations and to create your
own.
Spice up your dance! / 2 - 4 hours
The accents of the music are expressed with different body
parts. The possibilities and variations are nearly endless.
Be it with your hips, head, hands, chest... there are movements
for every accent. Another way to make your dance more interesting
are level changes - be it as a slow element or fast accent,
level changes broaden every dancer's the repertoire.
Round movements / 2 hours
Round, soft movements such as figure eights, circles,
waves etc. can be danced with various body parts, on one
or both sides, and in variations of speed, level and intensity.
Find out new ways do dance these moves
Spins and turns / 2 hours
Turns make your dance more dynamic. They can be done on
the spot or through space, initiated by different body parts,
fast or slow, with various step techniques, in combinations
etc.
Slow Dancing / 2 hours
It sounds so easy - but dancing slowly is often the most
difficult part for many dancers. Learn how to dance slowly
in a powerful, elegant and engaging way. Techniques and tips
to make your slow dancing "juicy" and expressive.
Cymbal dance / 2 - 8 hours
Dancing with cymbals (zills) is fun! With some feeling for
the rhythm and a lot of practice (yes, it won't happen without
this...) every dancer can accompany herself with cymbals while
dancing - be it with simple patterns or refined techniques. Here's an article that will tell you more.Veil dance2 - 6 hoursThe veil is the favourite accessory of many dancers. Besides
some basic techniques there are various ways of swaying or
throwing, spinning with a veil or wrapping it around the body.
A topic with endless varieties!
Double veil dance / 2 - 4 hours
The impressing dance with two veils is an American creation.
Learn how to move the veils together or alternatingly, how
to build up a double veil routine and different ways of moving
the veils while standing, spinning or moving in space.
Tambourine dance / 4 hours
The tambourine is an instrument that has been linked to dance
for a very long time. It invites to play with the rhythm, create
lively step combinations with turns and accents. Apart from
techniques you will also learn some background information.
Balance and isolation / 2 hours
Be it a cane, a candle tablet, a sword, a chandelier,
a basket or any other object... Many things can be balanced
on the head or other body parts. Balancing is a good show
effect and not even too difficult. Learn how to build up
a balance part in your dance, which movements are suited
best for it, some tricks etc.
Bring the objects you would like to balance.
Dance like a big star / 2 hours
All the great star dancers in the Middle East have their
own unique movements. The goal is not to become a copy of a
star but to enrichen your repertoire by incorporating these
movements in to your own dance. Such as Amani’s dynamic
turns, Nagwa Fuad’s arm poses, Dina’s accents and
the famous Suheir Zaki step. (2 hours per “star”)
Lebanese dance style / 2 - 8 hours
Technique and choreographies in the style of Lebanese
dancers – taught by MEISSOUN, one of the few Western
dancers who actually learned directly in Beirut!
Raqs Sharqi choreographies / 2 - 8
hours
Choreographies can be used in many ways: To excell at a performance
or simply to practice certain movements. MEISSOUN has a large
repertoire for all levels of dance.
Dina choreography / 4 hours
Dina's choreography to her trade mark song "Tahtill
Shibbak" with a lot of expression and surprising moves.
Naima Akef choreography / 4 hours
The original choreography as Naima Akef performed it in the
film "Tamra Henna" (with or without cymbals).
Expression / 2 hours
Dance without expression gets boring, no matter how many
technical highlights a dancer presents. It's important to really
feel and express the music. It also helps to know some acting
techniques and body language. MEISSOUN shows you how you can
display various moods, feelings and characters.
Available for general expression or focus on "dramatic dancing"
Improvisation / 2 hours
Improvisation is the basic form of Raqs Sharqi. But what
can you to if you if you run out of ideas while improvising?
There are tricks and techniques that will help you get over
that black out.
How to create your own choreographies / 4 hours
MEISSOUN teaches various aspects such as choosing the
right music, using space, building up energy, music interpretation,
variations and more. All this will be used to create a short
dance sequence.
Raqs Na'ashat / 2 hours
The dance of the women from the Arabic Gulf countries
(also called Khaleegy dance or Samri) is a fun, lively folklore
dance for everybody. Its characteristics are the swinging
of a large thobe and of the hair. It’s especially great
for improvising in a group. Learn movements and possibilities
for formations.
Saïdi cane dance / 2 - 6 hours
Originally a powerful fight dance of the men in Upper Egypt,
the cane dance has been adapted by the women who do it with
a smaller, sometimes glittery cane to make fun of their men.
Typical steps, twirls and background information.
Indo-Arabic choreography / 4 - 5 hours
There are only few dancers who have a profound knowledge
about Middle Eastern and Indian dances at the same time and
MEISSOUN is one of them. In this dance she joins both worlds
into varied choreographies for different levels.
Tango Oriental / 2 - 4 hours
MEISSOUN has been dancing Tango Argentino since 2003.
She shows you how to fuse elements of this passionate couple
dance with Oriental dance and explains how the two dances
differ and where they have similarities. Best danced in shoes
with heels.
Surf Sharqi / 2 - 5 hours
Fun, Fun, Fun! From the Twist to the Shimmy back to the
Mashed Potato... let's shake to 1960ies surf versions of
popular Middle Eastern songs like Miserlou or Ya Mustapha.
Tribal Style Bellydance / 4 - 8 hours
This style developed about 40 years ago in California and
is getting more and more popular in Europe as well. The most
important element is group improvisation.
Introduction for beginners or inspiration with new combinations
and cymbal patterns for existing tribes.
more information on www.dancelikeanindian.ch
Bollywood Dance / 2 - 8 hours
The dances that are part of most Hindi films are entertaining
and fun to do. Depending on the film and scene songs can be
interpreted in a modern, traditional, folkloric or Western
style. Learn choreography and technique. These workshops are
for both men and women.
Dandiya Raas / 2 - 4 hours
This popular folkdance comes from Gujarat. It's danced by
men and women together in big circles or group formations.
The partners rhythmically hit two short stick against each
other. Dandiya is easy and a lot of fun. Sticks can be bought
in the workshop.
Bhangra / 2 hours
Bhangra is a lively, powerful music and dance style from
Punjab. Traditionally danced by farmer men it is now a popular
dance for everybody.