Hi! I'm Heather. I teach belly dance classes in Selah, Washington (Yakima Valley). I'm also a professional belly dance performer. I study with master teachers from all over the world to further my skills. I used to study classical ballet, but I kept breaking myself. So....I had to find another way to dance. Dancing is like breathing to me. I HAVE to do it. I can't imagine a life without dance.
Dance = Happiness : )
I used to like to bake....
For seven years I ran a kitchen tools business and had a great time doing it. I've got a kitchen FULL of all sorts of stuff for doing all sorts of tasks. You know, the right tool for the job! I've got 'em. Now, my most ambitious endeavor in the kitchen is the yearly Thanksgiving turkey. I've come a long way in 24+ years of marriage from that first turkey. (It was sad.) Now I'm the official "Turkey Roaster" of the family.
I pretend to be a gardner....
I did pretty well a few seasons ago. I actually grew things we got to eat! My husband calls me "The Plant Murderer". I suppose I have earned that title over the years. Plants usually let out an audible cry whenever I buy them and bring them home. It's like they "know" what awaits them. However, THIS year was a banner year for my backyard garden. I suspect my trouble is merely a deficient attention span more than anything else. Mine is pretty short sometimes. I want to see progress and I want to see it quickly. I have high hopes for next year. Perhaps I'll pull off a repeat performance.
(*Addendum - It didn't happen. Maybe next year?)
For seven years I ran a kitchen tools business and had a great time doing it. I've got a kitchen FULL of all sorts of stuff for doing all sorts of tasks. You know, the right tool for the job! I've got 'em. Now, my most ambitious endeavor in the kitchen is the yearly Thanksgiving turkey. I've come a long way in 24+ years of marriage from that first turkey. (It was sad.) Now I'm the official "Turkey Roaster" of the family.
I pretend to be a gardner....
I did pretty well a few seasons ago. I actually grew things we got to eat! My husband calls me "The Plant Murderer". I suppose I have earned that title over the years. Plants usually let out an audible cry whenever I buy them and bring them home. It's like they "know" what awaits them. However, THIS year was a banner year for my backyard garden. I suspect my trouble is merely a deficient attention span more than anything else. Mine is pretty short sometimes. I want to see progress and I want to see it quickly. I have high hopes for next year. Perhaps I'll pull off a repeat performance.
(*Addendum - It didn't happen. Maybe next year?)
I like to golf, though I'm not very good at it....
I took up golfing in Japan with my husband. The General LOVED to have golf outings. If you had said to me several years back that I'd EVER have my own set of golf clubs, I would have certainly scoffed at the thought. However, I DO have my own set and truly enjoyed golfing with the ladies every Thursday morning on Ladies Day at the Links. Every now and then, my husband was my golf partner. We didn't golf together often. It urked him that though he could certainly hit it farther than I could......I hit it straighter : )
I took up golfing in Japan with my husband. The General LOVED to have golf outings. If you had said to me several years back that I'd EVER have my own set of golf clubs, I would have certainly scoffed at the thought. However, I DO have my own set and truly enjoyed golfing with the ladies every Thursday morning on Ladies Day at the Links. Every now and then, my husband was my golf partner. We didn't golf together often. It urked him that though he could certainly hit it farther than I could......I hit it straighter : )
I have a seriously large kimono and obi collection from Japan....
I couldn't help myself. I had to collect them. You start with one. Then another.....then another. Then pretty soon there's a whole stack of glorious silks with yummy textures, rich colors and patterns. I learned how to dress myself in kimono (from what I understand is very uncommon even for Japanese ladies of the younger generations, let alone a western lady!) Most ladies hire a kimono dresser (they're certified!) to dress them for special occasions. I wore almost every kimono in my collection at least once while in Japan. They're not very comfortable, but they sure do make you stand and sit up straight. They also make you feel very elegant.
I couldn't help myself. I had to collect them. You start with one. Then another.....then another. Then pretty soon there's a whole stack of glorious silks with yummy textures, rich colors and patterns. I learned how to dress myself in kimono (from what I understand is very uncommon even for Japanese ladies of the younger generations, let alone a western lady!) Most ladies hire a kimono dresser (they're certified!) to dress them for special occasions. I wore almost every kimono in my collection at least once while in Japan. They're not very comfortable, but they sure do make you stand and sit up straight. They also make you feel very elegant.
I LOVE belly dance....
It's inherently feminine. It's totally okay (and preferred) to have curves and a little something extra to put into your shimmy. It's pure girl power! But it's not just for girls. Guys belly dance too! It's naturally body friendly and low impact. The moves might make you feel a little dorky at first. But then there are the "Eureka Moments" that come with practice. (I love those moments!) There is so much waiting to be explored.....music, history, drum rhythms, different styles of belly dance, costuming, etc. You can explore as much or as little as you like. It's all good : )
I first began to study belly dance in 2007 while living in Okinawa, Japan. It's much more body-friendly than my previous ballet studies. My area of concentration is in classical Egyptian style belly dance. It's very feminine and flowing, yet controlled with wonderful accents. It's all about knowing and feeling the music. I am influenced by the teaching and style of Hadia of Canada, Ranya Renee of New York, Sa'diyya of Dallas, Nadira Jamal of Boston, Dalida of Dallas, Ruby Beh of Portland, Randa Kamel, Lubna Emam, Osama Emam, Mona Said, Raqia Hassan and Dandash all of Egypt.
The best part about belly dance is how great it makes me and my students feel. No matter what kind of day I've had, when I get into our studio space, it all melts away. You can have that too! It is my goal to lead belly dance classes in Selah that will leave you invigorated and refreshed, but challenged and looking forward to the next one.
In short.....belly dance is "the bomb.com.org!"
So what are you waiting for? The next session of classes will start soon. Click the "Join the Class" tab at the top of the page to see the current class schedule. The only thing you have to lose is the regret of not having done it sooner!
If you have questions, please be sure to contact me. I'm looking forward to shimmying with you! Belly dance classes in Selah/Yakima are waiting just for you!
It's inherently feminine. It's totally okay (and preferred) to have curves and a little something extra to put into your shimmy. It's pure girl power! But it's not just for girls. Guys belly dance too! It's naturally body friendly and low impact. The moves might make you feel a little dorky at first. But then there are the "Eureka Moments" that come with practice. (I love those moments!) There is so much waiting to be explored.....music, history, drum rhythms, different styles of belly dance, costuming, etc. You can explore as much or as little as you like. It's all good : )
I first began to study belly dance in 2007 while living in Okinawa, Japan. It's much more body-friendly than my previous ballet studies. My area of concentration is in classical Egyptian style belly dance. It's very feminine and flowing, yet controlled with wonderful accents. It's all about knowing and feeling the music. I am influenced by the teaching and style of Hadia of Canada, Ranya Renee of New York, Sa'diyya of Dallas, Nadira Jamal of Boston, Dalida of Dallas, Ruby Beh of Portland, Randa Kamel, Lubna Emam, Osama Emam, Mona Said, Raqia Hassan and Dandash all of Egypt.
The best part about belly dance is how great it makes me and my students feel. No matter what kind of day I've had, when I get into our studio space, it all melts away. You can have that too! It is my goal to lead belly dance classes in Selah that will leave you invigorated and refreshed, but challenged and looking forward to the next one.
In short.....belly dance is "the bomb.com.org!"
So what are you waiting for? The next session of classes will start soon. Click the "Join the Class" tab at the top of the page to see the current class schedule. The only thing you have to lose is the regret of not having done it sooner!
If you have questions, please be sure to contact me. I'm looking forward to shimmying with you! Belly dance classes in Selah/Yakima are waiting just for you!