Dancing Isis Dance! » Testimonials

Club Al Sharqi – Chai tea, laughter & dance

Maria — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:58:04 +0000

Dear Maria,
I found myself a few days ago in your wonderful centre. I had arrived at your Club Al Sharqi night. I was so happy finding myself surrounded by fellow dancers whom i shared a lot of laughter with. It was so amazing how strangers quickly became friends. I am new to the world of dance and your night gave me a chance to express some moves and some selfworth. I enjoyed the Chai tea very much! a first time Chai tea drinker, it just set the mood even more. Thank you so much.Will come again.
Mish xx

Easy to understand

Maria — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:49:14 +0000

I loved the classes, I found them really useful in so many ways, the way you explained the skeletal system and got me thinking about my bones rather than muscles was fantastic. The ways in which you described the movement was easy to understand and it was all at a good pace I thought. I looked forward to coming to each class. I enjoyed the before and after stretching etc a lot also. If anything I was going to ask you if you would consider making a CD of your talking through the breathing and movement to buy so I could do it at home as I found that part so useful and meditative!
The dancing was great, I felt movement in parts I had never used before and the use of parts of the body which I hadn’t consciously thought of before also and this is of great benefit I think to health and awareness. I thank you for your teachings and beautiful space in which to learn, I felt your encouragement and approachability.

Recreational Egyptian Dance class – Naomi 2009

Purifying and healing

Maria — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:57:43 +0000

What Yvonne had to say about SensingFeelingDancing the Charkas 2009

“Thank you, Maria, for providing an exquisite space in which our inner feelings, our inner life really, can be explored and expressed through dance. I’m finding this experience tremendously purifying and healing. Each week, as another Chakra becomes enlivened and strengthened, the process has assisting me in my journey from fragmentation to wholeness.”

It brought me back to my body

Maria — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:22:21 +0000

I also especially love the way you really focus on the belly being our dance centre. I think for me this is what inspired me the most. It brought me back to my body and my feeling centre. I can quite easily lose my centre; a lot of stress from every day running of a business can be overwhelming

Melissa Christina – Teacher – Prof. Development training 2004

You teach in a way that’s like magic

Maria — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:20:19 +0000

You teach us in such a way that’s like magic . . . the next thing I know I am in my body & dancing

Yoka Jones – Student 2007

How great & unique our class is

Maria — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:18:13 +0000

I went along to another class this Saturday for a little extra practice, & while it was a good class, it definitely gave me an appreciation of how great & unique our class is, & what a great teacher you are.
Lauren Butler – Student 2008

You style of teaching is like no one else

Maria — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:16:38 +0000

Your classes had given me the foundation and grounding to be able to learn from other people. You style of teaching is like no one else

Cassandra Longley – Student 2008/9

Women’s Summer Retreat 09

Maria — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:54:10 +0000

This is what some of the women had to say about the last retreat:

Beautiful Maria the last couple of days flash back in my mind I smile and giggle with delight . . . and at your beauty. I bow down in honour & appreciation for what magic you have sparked in me by being you and sharing it. Thank you AT

I still feel the ongoing joys and peace of that weekend and especially of connecting in such a special way with such amazing women. (Very like the image of the card I pulled on the first evening: the three dancing fates. I remember saying there was so much music and harmony in that image.) It continues to feed a small sacred sanctuary within me: my home, my springboard for dancing, enjoying good food, connecting with an open heart, living with all the messy, noisy, loving, peaceful vigour which is being without boundaries. Thank you!! NM

What a beautiful few weeks since the retreat . . . I am exploding with creativity and possibilities Thankyou to all of you,
Love and sunshine and hugs C

I feel so blessed to have met you all and to have shared such a beautiful time with you! I came back feeling sooo refreshed and ready to look for new possibilities and to get more out of life than I have before. It was so special being with people who are like-minded and I felt that every woman I met connected with me, especially during our dancing! What a wonderful and liberating experience it was. Thank you all for your kindness and sharing your beautiful spirits with me!

Lots of love DD

Dancing with the bones of the body

Maria — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:14:34 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed your workshop about dancing with the bones of the body.

After seeing my own drawings of the pelvis looking like a strange butterfly and the ribs a birdcage it was a real eye-opener. I have belly danced for 6 years but never really thought about the bones, just about muscles and weight etc. So it was good to bring it back to fundamentals of anatomy, and what moves when we do.

Also the simple principles of weight transfer with a bounce, rather than just ‘pushing up’ with the hip I really appreciated – because while I sometimes move into that step, I had never considered that much of our dancecan be broken down into those two simple movements. It frees things up a lot.

I did find the ‘bounce’ helped in the Yasmina workshops today (and more to go tomorrow). Also DEFINITELY for a performance I did in a show last night, I did a character stint as ‘Fifi Abdo’ complete with dark wig and scarf in big bow on my head, totally improvised to some great music I’d found that morning, HEAPS of bouncing and none of it choreographed. Definitely far more liberating! And a whole lot of fun

Thank you! The day was very worthwhile, and I enjoyed dancing with you.

Love & best wishes,
Vicki
Thanks again,

Have not been able to stop dancing

Maria — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:11:37 +0000

I would love to give you some feedback regarding the workshop! (I have been thinking of this everyday) I gained so much out of it and I think it took a week to really sink in. Since then I have not been able to stop dancing and I have a new perspective about moving my body and also a total revival of curiosity and need to learn more! I have been spending lots of time on the net and just a lot of time moving in a new way which feels really beautiful.”

I started my classes again on Monday night in a new venue that I sought out with great lighting and fantastic mirrors and sound system and the women loved it and had a great time. I also had a great time and was able to pass on new knowledge which really caught the imagination of some of the women. I just feel more enthusiastic and I think more privileged to be sharing this ability to feel as you do when you dance in this way. I think I could just rave on for ages and ages about it!

I just want to thank you again and to tell you that I become so energised and peaceful after attending workshops with you and I am still buzzing from it! It has been great to read your newsletter and read your ideas and feel your love of the dance.’

Sharon Stephens, Summer School

Geelong