National and International Instruction, Seminars and Master Workshops
Raksanna teaches Beginning through Advanced belly dance classes at her studio, located in the western suburbs of Chicago (Naperville, Aurora) and travels both domestically and abroad as a master instructor to teach workshops at various events. Please see below for a list of Seminar and Master Workshop topics. For pricing information, please contact Raksanna at 630-978-1149 or Raksanna@raksanna.com.  

Energizing and Motivational Teacher
Raksanna emphasizes strong foundational technique through drills, choreography, improvisation, solo and group work. Students are encouraged to create their own style and are taught how the proper use of accessories such as veil, zills (finger cymbals), stick and, for her more advanced dancers, props such as Shamaden and Melaya.  Equally, Raksanna teaches the history of Middle Eastern dance, the differences between the various genres and issues facing belly dancers, both in the US and the Middle East, today.

Weekly Classes at Raksanna's Studio: www.roxfit.com
Classes run on a six week session, with a specific start date and end date. In Level 1 (Beginner), each session focuses on the 12 fundamental steps of belly dance, as well as a choreographed dance featuring veils, cymbals or no accessories. Beginner to Intermediate students in Level 2 increase their working knowledge of more complex patterns, polish their technique and experience different genres of dance. Intermediate students in level 3 concentrate on understanding subtleties, acquiring more in-depth experience and increased grace and fluidity with a ballet influence.  Advanced students in level 4 learn  richly complicated choreography on an on-going basis. For the most current schedule, please visit www.roxfit.com/schedule.

Weekly Class Tuition at Raksanna's Studio: www.roxfit.com
Students enroll in the entire course or may attend on a drop-in basis, providing space permits. Full session is $78 for one class a week for six weeks (total of 6 classes), $156 for two classes per week for six weeks (total of 12 classes) and $234 for three classes a week for six weeks (total of 18 classes). Drop in tuition is $15 per class, providing space permits.

For the most current schedule, please visit www.roxfit.com/schedule.

Seminars and Master Workshops
In addition to regular class schedules, Raksanna hosts regular workshops at her Studio and presents seminars across the US.  Seminars and master workshops can be tailored to individual requests and examples of workshops are listed below. To hire Raksanna for a seminar or master workshop, please contact her at 630-978-1149 or via e-mail at raksanna@raksanna.com.

Choreography
Choreography:
Learn full routines in Raksanna’s dynamic dance choreography workshops.  Modern Egyptian and Egyptian folk dance including Melaya, Nubian, Saidi, Beledi and more can be geared toward beginning or advanced levels, for soloists or for troupes. She can also choreograph a full show for soloists or dance troupes. And don’t forget explosive drum solos that excite your audience! Raksanna can choreograph a dance that they’ll never forget!

Choreography for Dancers: A Step By Step Workshop™ - Want to design your own dances, but feel uncomfortable with choreography? This practical, hands on workshop is a must for anyone wanting to learn how to choreograph a professional, exciting dance for themselves or others.  You’ll learn the overall structure of a multi-part routine, how to analyze the music, when to enter and exit as well as well as how to create transitions in between for a beautiful end result.

Technique
Belly Dance Basics™ -
Strengthen your foundation with this full series of pure technical workshops highlighting movements such as undulations, hip articulations, beautiful arm work, sensuous circles and more.

Shimmy and Shake™ – Learn exciting shimmies step by step and end with an exciting grand finale.

Shimmy with Layers™ – Take your shimmies to the next level! Intermediate to advanced dancers explore layering basic and complex movements with shimmies. 

Complex Combinations and Playful Patterns™ – Exercise your mind and your body with this challenging and rewarding workshop, which can be geared to beginner or advanced levels.

Tantalizing Taksim™ - Take a guided journey into tantalizing taksim work where you learn appropriate movements that match instrumentation, speed, size, weight change, energy distribution and control. Your body will move like poetry in motion.

Rhythms: An Essential Part of Your Belly Dance Toolkit™ - Any dancer worth her salt is familiar with and can recognize a wide variety of rhythms and know appropriate moods, movements and timing for each.  Learn the most popular rhythms, as well as some of the lesser known and increase your dance pizzazz!

Spellbinding Floorwork: Your audience won’t be able to keep their eyes off you with breathtakingly beautiful floorwork presented in this workshop. Learn essential exercises to prepare your body for the work, exotic movements and powerful dance combinations.

How-To Made Simple: Props and Accessories to Dazzle Your Audience™ - Increase your talents and dance repertoire by learning a wide variety of accessories such as Sword work, Raqs al-Assaya (stick or cane), veil, floor work, zil (finger cymbals) and Shamedan. Tailored toward your interests, choose between technique with combinations or full dance choreographies utilizing the accessories.  All workshops can be geared toward beginning or advanced levels. 

Improvisation: Experiment with all aspects of improvisation such as entrances, how to listen to music, exits and more. You’ll love this hands-on approach – whether you are just entering the dance world as a performer or want to have even more fun when you’re out for a night on the town.

Essentials for the Belly Dancer’s Toolkit™
Stage Make Up
– You can dance, but to be an unforgettable experience for your audience, you have to look like a belly dancer – not washed out and pale. During this 2-hour workshop, Raksanna unlocks the secrets of how to create a mesmerizing look that leaves a lasting impression.

Stage Presence – As a belly dancer, you must have the presence to command your audience’s attention. Through the use of interactive exercises, live examples and teamwork, you’ll shimmy away from this workshop a force to be reckoned with!

History of Belly Dance – An educated belly dancer is the sexiest woman around! Gain a solid education as you walk through the ages with Raksanna to trace our beautiful art form of Raqs Sharki from ancient times to modern days. 

If you would like to hire Raksanna for a seminar or master workshop, please call (630) 978-1149 or e-mail Raksanna at Raksanna@Raksanna.com.