206.351.4740
amiraofseattle@aol.com
|
|
Calendar
July 18 @ RCC
6:50 pm Troupe Practice
July 21 @ NPRC
9 am ZUMBAŽ
10 am Belly Dance Beg/Int
11 am Troupe Practice
July 22 @ Hiawatha Park
4 pm MedFest Performance
July 28 @ NPRC
9 am ZUMBAŽ
August 1 @ RCC
5 pm Belly Dance Bonanza
August 11 in Tacoma
for the rest of August: enjoy the sunshine! Classes start up again in Sept. as follows:
Sept 5 @ RCC
7 pm Belly Dance Perf (Adv)
8 pm Belly Dance Beg/Int
Sept 8 @ NPRC
9 am ZUMBAŽ
10 am Belly Dance Beg/Int
11 am Troupe Practice
Sept 10 @ RCC
10 am ZUMBAŽ
Sept 12 @ RCC
10 am ZUMBAŽ
Youth Belly Dance classes start Sept 19 @ RCC, 6 pm
Also coming up Fall 2012:
Workshops with Mish Mish!
Sept 29, Oct 27 & Nov 24
1-3 pm @ NPRC
Watch for details!
Locations:
Normandy Park Recreation Center (NPRC) 801 SW 174th, Normandy Park
Renton Community Center (RCC) 1715 SE Maple Valley Hwy, Renton
|
Videos Du Jour
I love this video of famous Egyptian belly dancer, Dina. She's just so juicy!
|
And this one is just so darn cute...thanks to one of my troupe members for sending it over!
|
|
|
| What's Shakin'
JULY | 2012
|
Welcome to the What's Shakin' newsletter! You'll find some fun tips and ideas to stay active and healthy, and exciting events and classes for this summer and beyond. Enjoy...and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from you.
With hugs and shimmies, Amira
|
|
Belly Dance Season Finale
 | |
My gorgeous dancers getting ready for a show
|
July brings the biggest belly dance event of the year: the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival! This beloved festival is now going on its 25th year and features back to back performances on two stages all day on July 21 & 22.
MedFest (as it is fondly called) also marks the grand finale of Amira's Dancers' 2011/2012 performance season! We'll perform at 4 pm on Sunday, July 22 on the outdoor stage, so please come out and support us. There will also be lots of vendors and delicious food. It's a hoot and a half...hope to see you there!
Mediterranean Fantasy Festival
July 21 & 22, 2012
Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave SW in West Seattle
|
 |
 Party On! ZUMBAŽ Classes Growing Our Normandy Park class just passed its one-year anniversary and what a great year it has been. I have truly enjoyed getting to know the awesome people who have been showing up to dance and sweat with me on Saturday mornings. We'll dance through July 28 and then take a break for August before returning Sept 8.
Starting in the fall, there will be even more opportunities to shake it: I'll be leading ZUMBAŽ classes at the Renton Community Center on Monday and Wednesday mornings! We're also planning some fun ZUMBA@ parties and maybe even a Zumbathon, so stay tuned. It's exciting to see the classes grow and I can't thank my students enough for keeping me energized!
|
 |
|
Fit and Fun in the Sun
Summertime is a great time to be active both indoors and out. Plus, shorts and sundresses are good motivation for looking your best. I hope to see you in my ZUMBAŽ and belly dance classes through July, and then join us for the two-hour Belly Dance Bonanza on August 1. But while dance is great for cardio and for building core strength, it's also a good idea to do a few weight-bearing exercises for strong bones and muscles. Use that gym membership if you've got one. If not, chair dips, push ups, squats, lunges and crunches are all exercises that can be done without special equipment...and could even be done at a park or on the beach! Give yourself a pat on the back: by mixing up your exercise routine with dance, you are already well on your way to lifelong fitness.
|
|
|
NEW! Youth Belly Dance Classes
 It has been a dream of mine for a long time to start a class for youth. Belly dance is such a wonderful, healthy way to nurture confidence, especially during those challenging pre-teen and teenage years when appreciation of all body types can be more important than ever. Plus, how lucky for these young dancers to get a jump start on learning this amazing dance form! Students will focus on age appropriate belly dance technique including posture, isolations, veil, finger cymbals and traveling steps. No prior experience is necessary. Classes start September 19 on Wednesdays, 6 to 7 pm at the Renton Community Center. The class is designated for ages 8-14. For exceptions, please contact me. Registration will be available this summer at www.cybersignup.org
And for all ages... Come and dance and bring your friends! We're doing a two-hour Belly Dance Bonanza at the Renton Community Center on August 1, from 5-7 pm. Snacks, prizes an discounts on upcoming classes. ONLY $5! Download the flyer. |
|
|
Stay Refreshed with a Honeydew Smoothie
I love fresh fruit in the summer. This is a recipe I invented so I could take my fruit to go as I head off to dance class (and get a protein kick, too!) Enjoy!
Do ahead:
Cut one honeydew melon into 1-inch chunks. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and place in the freezer. Once the melon is frozen, put pieces into a plastic freezer bag and store in the freezer.
To make the smoothie (2 servings): 1-1/2 cups nonfat plain yogurt 1-1/2 cups frozen honeydew melon 1 cup pale juice such as pear, guava or white grape 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves 1 tbsp honey 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend well. Pour into two glasses or "to go" bottles. |
|
