The Goddess Garden

If your question isnt answered here feel free to email us at kahleabellydancer@gmail.com

(NO spam or sales please!)

What should I wear/bring to class(es)?

Your comfort is of the most importance but in dance classes generally your instructor will want to be able to see your body move to determine if movement is being correctly executed and to insure you dont injure yourself by doing poses incorrectly. Most students will wear a comfy yoga or exercise pant, a tank top or other form fitting top, bare feet (shoes are not permitted in the dance space) and in the case of bellydance classes, a hip scarf, coined scarf or hip belt (sold int he studio or bring your own). In yoga classes you should bring your own mat or Cotton/wool blend blanket similar to those Mexican blankets. Studnets should also bring adequate hydration although water is sold in the studio should you forget to bring your own. 

What are your hours?

We dont have regular "business hours" as we are only open during class times. During the holidays we are available for shopping by appointment and you may email us at the address above to make an appointment or to order gift certificates and to schedule for pick up of them. 

What methods of payment do you accept?

Luckily we accept many different forms of payment. We can take Visa, Mastercard, debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo, paypal and of course, cash. We do not accept check payments until a student has been with us for an 8 week session first.  

Can I bring my child/friend to class with me?

We ask that you do not bring anyone with you to classes who hasnt paid for the class. We ask that you do not leave your child or friend in the reception area during classes either. Further, our classes are currently only for those 18 and older, however teen classes may be added at a later time.

 I may be too old or too heavy to bellydance. What do you recommend?

We recommend that you come in and see how fun it can be for any age, any size and all backgrounds of women. Our instructors are trained, skilled and in many cases certified in various areas of fitness, dance, yoga or physiology and are equipped to guide all sizes, shapes and ages through dance, fitness and yoga. At the time of print, the owner has taught two formerly obese students to dance their way fit, as well as women considered senior citizens. As long as you mind your body when it speaks to you and take it at your own pace, we want you here getting fit and feeling joy!  

Is it true you offer FREE classes?

Welp, you caught us! Since we are trying to spread the joy of bellydancing, yes, during October 2008  we do offer you your first bellydance class FREE. No commitments are asked of you at all. Buy nothing. Come in, try it and hopefully fall in love with it so we see you again.  

I want to learn Improvisational Tribal Style Bellydance. How do I go about that?  
Improvisational Tribal Style Bellydance (ITS) is a popular and fast growing concept in bellydance, originated by Fat Chance Bellydance's (FCBD) American Tribal Style (ATS) which refers specifically to their vocabulary, formations and format. ITS is also a group dance, performed improvisationally, spur of the moment, with no set choreography. Students learn a vast vocabulary of moves and formations to use on the spot in performances or gatherings. ITS very much relies on group "vibe", feeling, energy and exchanges. 

At The Goddess Garden, currently the path to tribal is this:
Students start out in a Fundamentals class until it is determined they have the basic skill set for ease of placement into tribal classes. Tribal classes require consistent, dedicated attendance because each lesson builds on previous lessons' material. Classes move at a steady pace so any missed classes will set a student back. There is no way of making up missed material and even just one missed class can stall the rest of the class, since this is a group oriented dance style. Therefore, all tribal classes are pre-paid registration required for each 8 week session. We feel this aids in regulating attendance, insuring that by requiring students to pay up front, session by session, they are in essence, committing to attending all classes in that 8 week session. Furthermore, with ITS being a group oriented dance style, classes with fewer than five students arent conducive to learning the group style nor to learning the group formations used in tribal. Tribal classes work best with a minimum of six students in each class level. There are four levels of Tribal available to the public. Level Five is a closed, troupe only class which never ends. It is in place for review, polish and expanding on material already learned. As you can see, there is much to learn in Tribal!
If minimum registrations arent met then a waiting list is created and once six students agree to pre-payment for 8 weeks, a tribal class for their level is set in place.

Students who have prior bellydance experience with other teachers are still asked to come into some Fundamentals classes so our teachers may evaluate if they are prepared for Tribal lessons and if so, which level of Tribal they should be placed in. 

How many students do you have in each class?

Our class sizes vary but we do not accept more than 16 students per class. Most of our classes average about 4 to 12 students. We dont want to overfill classes simply for the sake of making money. We want students to be comfortable and to get the attention they each deserve. Too often gym-sized classes can engulf students in the back rows and they dont get the personal guidance they need. 

I'm kinda shy or have an odd schedule. Do any of the instructors teach private lessons?  

Your very best bet is to try to combat that shyness and come in. But if you simply cannot, yes, some of our instructors offer private one on one sessions in our studio for $45 per hour. For two students to take a private lesson together the rate is $40 per student. For a group of three the rate is $35 per student. Groups of four or larger please email us at the address above to inquire. An example of a group private lesson might be a girls night out, a bachelorette lesson or a birthday party lesson. we can surely accommodate these special occasions as well.  

My mate/spuse/partner isnt fond of the idea of me attending bellydance. Isnt it like stripping?

This is a common misconception and one we really aim to dispel. Bellydance is a feminine dance teaching women grace, confidence and beauty. Bellydance has NEVER been a strip tease nor has it ever been a dance of prostitutes for the master of the harem. These are Hollywood-ized myths and tales meant to entertain audiences. Bellydancers also do not typically wear a jewel in the navel, nor do they wear a high pony tail and pink see-through chiffon.  Nobody dreams of Genie, really. If your husband/mate/spouse/partner/parent is concerned we invite you to one of our student showcases and you can judge for yourself! 

I am a total beginner with no dance experience. I can hardly walk a straight line. What class should I attend?

We are glad to see you are considering a class with us. Since our classes rotate with each session it is best to email us at the address above so that we can help place you in just the right class.  

I have some bellydance experience. What class do you recommend I start out in?

We have bellydance classes in varying skill levels so again feel free to email us at the time of your inquiry so we can help place you in the best class suited to your skill set.