Classes

Hala offers classes in Authentic Middle Eastern dance (also known as belly dance, Oriental dance, and Raks Sharki).

• Schedule of classes
• Unique benefits of Hala's approach to teaching dance
• What our students have to say ...
• This is how much fun it is!!
• A traditional Middle Eastern dance experience
• Dancing with Hala

Hala's classes are open to all ages and abilities, and offer a fun, informal environment to experience this increasingly popular dance form with a true Middle Eastern flavour.

Hala also offers personal instruction at all levels, from beginners who would like to explore the dance in a more personal environment, to professional dancers who wish to improve their skills, or prepare for a performance.

Schedule of classes

There are a variety of very affordable classes throughout the Bay Area, so why not give it a try, you won't be disappointed !!
Just click on a class for more information ...

What our students have to say ...

Here are comments from some of Hala's students. To share with us your comments, please fill out our Contact Form. Please let us know if you'd like your name included or not.

• "We had the great opportunity to learn dancing with Hala. She is talanted, enthusiastic and amazing teacher. During her lessons women of all ages become flexible and "unlocked". In addition, we enjoyed beautiful music and Egyptian traditional movements." (Olga)
• "Thanks for the wonderful dance classes, it was certainly one of the most memorable classes I ever took. With your dance, you represent so much feminine embracing energy, I can feel so much welcome and happiness from the dance. Certainly good to develop as a life long habit or an exercise routine" (Emma)
• "I love your approach to teaching, your emphasis on expression & the details in the messages & the language. You are such a valuable resource for belly dance, your cultural understanding is so needed in our genre. I hope a continuing number of people have that realization so that they may support you. I wish you the greatest success & I hope you realize how much gratitude & appreciation you are due. It was lovely to experience your class. Thanks so much!" (Bellydance Star Nanna)
• "I sincerely thank you for all your encouragement and patience. It is very uncommon to be mentored by someone who only wants to share the beauty and ensure the student succeeds rather than just going through the motions and wanting something in return. I will always try my hardest not only for myself, but for you as my teacher who is trying her hardest for me. Maybe the dance looks so beautiful when you do it because you already are a purely good person. Thank you again" (Christine)
• "It was great fun to dance with you". "All of us felt very happy after each session. Thank you for making it so enjoyable". "You are an awesome teacher". "Your smile is contagious!!" (Bay Area Creative Dance Company members)
• "Thank you for all the wonderful dance classes, choreographies and dance experiences you have shared with all of us. You are a very special person that can pass on the magic of dance and music  to all around you." (Diane)
• "I really appreciate your authenticity and am so happy to have found you" (Jamie).
• "Last weekend was my one year anniversary dancing with you and it's been one of the best years of my life" (Christine)
• "Thank you for your wonderful classes. I always feel so happy when dancing and hearing all the great songs" (Saija)
• "Thank you for another wonderful year of dance. I thought about giving up a few times this year when I would struggle and felt I could never get it right but somehow you seem to know just when to drive us harder, raise the bar, encourage and inspire and also be patient just when we need it. Your classes are challenging and fun and I love the comaraderie with you and my fellow classmates. Also I never thought I would ever be able to take a workshop with Tito and help out at a workshop with Mohamed El Hosseny. I was a little terrified but what fun to watch those incredible dancers! You are a great mentor, teacher, choreographer and dancer and we are lucky to have you in this area!" (Diane W)
• "It has been such a pleasure to work with you over all these years, and I always enjoy the chance to attend your performances. You have a real gift for teaching the cultural context of dance, as well as the dance itself" (Gwyn Dukes from Stanford University)
• "Hala is my favorite dance teacher. She has an ability to make the clumsiest of us feel strong and graceful and full of life."
• "Thank you for sharing your incredible gift of dance and inspiration with us! I would like to share a little story with you. I performed our dance for my family on Thanksgiving. It was a magical moment for me. I was so nervous I was actually shaking. I also didn't know how they would react, they might laugh or get bored and what would the little three year old think? Would she start walking around or cry? Anyway I don't think they moved a muscle, just had eyes wide open and a big smile on their face to the end , even our little three year old grand daughter. They were so excited for me and wanted to see my scarf , zills, asked me how to do the movements and our kids now want to take dance lessons as they saw how fun it was for me. I had no idea that this wonderful world of dance could or would open for me again in my retirement after I sadly said goodbye to it many, many years ago.
  You are giving us all a gift that we can share with our family and friends and for me I have been able to share with my family a side of me (my love of dance) that they didn't know before in such a real and tangible way. Many, many thanks!" (Diane W)
• "I REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy your class. It is like a meditation for me! Many times I'd be feeling rushed and stressed out from my day's work, but after your class I always feel very uplifted, relaxed and happy. I like how you flank the dance session with the quite moments, it's very grounding. Thank you so much!"
• "I have been dancing for a year, and your class is definitely keeping me challenged since you introduce new things, which I like alot, it's alot of fun to dance!"
  
• "What makes taking classes with you so enjoyable? You are a very good teacher. I am in education, so I can tell who's a good teacher and who is not. I've had a lot of teachers who are so good at what they do that they don't know how to teach it. You are not only good at what you do, you also know how to teach it. That's quite rare."
  
• "Growing up with a Middle Eastern background, belly dancing has always been a challenge to participate in because of the misinterpretation it has for being 'too provocative.' This has all changed ever since enrolling in Hala's class. This class has not only proved the misunderstanding of the dance, but has taught me that this dance is part of a culture and something to be proud of. Taking this class has offered me enjoyment, improved my posture, and given me a more positive perspective on life"
• Thank you so much for all the fun dancing! I had a great time. Again, thanks so much for your excellent and fun class!
• Hala is an excellent teacher! She sets high standards by example but establishes an atmosphere in which students are encouraged to do their best and be happy expecting no more.
• I appreciated her ability to put us at ease, frequently encouraging us and eager to help us in any way possible.
• Thank you for enriching my life with the beautiful Egyptian culture, music and the visual art form of Raks Sharki (oriental dance). It has made a world of difference in my life. The movements have strengthened my back. Because of this, I now live a healthier, happier life". (Patricia)
• Teaching: feedback. I particularly appreciate your encouragement to feel the dance, that we should just allow ourselves to feel beautiful! What great encouragement. And I like the quotations on the [Halanda Studio] wall too--and the music. It's all these things that I appreciate.
• Hala uses the class time very well, never wasting time but also not trying to cover any more material than we can handle. She is very knowledgable, talented and likeable. A great pleasure to work with!
• It was so good to be in your class. Thank you for being so patient and cheerful. I have learned to begin dancing even at my age (55) and will continue to take lessons. Thank you again for sharing your wonderful ethnic dance of Egypt! I'm so glad you are in this country to share your culture with us!
• "Dear Hala, My daughter and I performed the dance you taught me at my 70th birthday party. My friends loved it! It was an experience I will always treasure. Thank you so much for making it possible."
• "Thank you for all you have taught me in your marvelous classes. You are an excellent teacher, and I will recommend you highly whenever I have the opportunity. Hopefully, I can continue with this form since you have introduced me to the magic of dance. Know that I will always walk taller as a result of your influence and will be forever grateful for the many ways you enriched my life."
• "Two years ago, I was a little depressed, and seeking some change. My friend dragged me to take your class. It was the best decision I made that year. I've learned a lot in the class, not just dance."
• "Excellent teacher! I really like her style and ability to teach well and bring the best out of everyone"
• "I like the analogies the teacher uses, it makes things easier to understand"
• "Thank you so, so much for sharing your culture and dance with us. What an honor!"
• "Hala is an excellent teacher! takes time to go over moves, welcomes questions, we also learn about the history of the dance. A very fun informative class. Great for all levels of dancers!"
• "Hala is extremely knowlegeable. She encourages questions and goes over steps as needed. She's always encouraging."
• "Thank you for my wonderful introduction to Middle Eastern Dance! You are a superior teacher with much passion, knowledge, insight and humor"
• "[Hala] gives individual attention. No one is ever ignored"
• "Taking your class and being a part of your troupe has really changed and influenced my life. Thank you!" (Linda)
• "Wonderful teacher! Great class atmosphere, lots of fun"
• "I left [your workshop] feeling energized. It was a surprisingly good workout, especially for my middle back, where the hand movements and warm ups soothed my tight computer muscles. I could even see a little more definition in my stomach from that two hours of standing in good posture, and the subtle twisting. Certainly a more enjoyable way to tighten my stomach than crunches"
• "I participated in Hala's Middle Eastern dance class and wanted to let you all know I thought it was great. I have taken other Middle Eastern dance classes and found Hala's approach to be superior to the other intructors from my past experience"
• "I like the way she explains the fundamentals and background and then does the practical dance"
• "We had a great time at your workshop. We really appreciated the culture you taught along with the small combinations"
• "If you are looking for a dance class that will be a good workout without muscle strain or impact to the joints, this is it. She knows a lot about the history of the dance and explains the philosophy behind it"
• "I loved the energy I felt afterwards. I felt alive, energetic and grounded"
• "The class was really awesome. I really like the movement"
• "Instructor is great in explaining and demonstrating dance steps - also how to practice great body posture"
• "[Hala] insisted on perfect posture and asked us to be patient with ourselves"
• "[The class] was very helpful in loosening up the body"
• "I enjoy dancing with you, and dancing to your beautifully choreographed pieces. I especially want to thank you for your continual encouragements, and constructive criticisms. They have helped me grow and expand as a dancer. Much appreciation to you"
  
• "I liked the fact that Hala explains the meaning of the songs and the dance"
• "I think we did it all (meditate, stretch, warm-up and dance), I like your teaching style; very clear and detailed"
• "The teacher really knows the subject matter"
• "Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this class. I love to dance, any kind of music, any kind of dance...the history is just a bonus. Your joy and passion for the whole package is very attractive to me"