Home of Memphis Raqs Bellydance troupe

 Our classes are  held in our
fabulous new bellydance studio, The Dance Oasis.

Dance Oasis is located on Stage Road at Elmore Park,
next to Bartlett Lanes (2964 Stage Plaza N)

Interested in taking a bellydance class?

Not sure where to begin?

Relax, we've got you covered from head to hips!
 
 

Why bellydance?
The beauty of bellydance is - all women can do it!  Mothers, daughters, grandmothers...business executives, lawyers, doctors, cashiers, waitresses, college students... no matter what physical shape you are in, you were made to bellydance. Why? Because you're a woman! Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) has historically been a dance celebrating the feminine mystique, from swaying those hips to flashing a flirty grin over your shoulder. This dance embodies the epitome of womanhood! For more information on the history of raqs sharqi, click here. 

And, it's great exercise!    Bellydance works the core muscles - abs, thighs, and glutes. If you're looking to slim down your waistline and say goodbye to those love-handles (who isn't?!) then bellydance is a great addition to your workout.   Furthermore, bellydance is low-impact, so even if jogging and step-aerobics are too hard on your knees or back,  you can still benefit from our classes. We are careful to keep you in good posture that will reduce pressure on your back and knees. The movements you'll learn in class work your muscles in a way that most regular aerobics classes don't touch, especially the obliques and lower abs around the bellybutton.  And the best part is that you'll be having so much fun dancing to exotic beats and admiring the way your jingly scarf shimmers with every hip movement,  you won't even realize you're working out!

Classes are available in both theatrical folklore and oriental dance. Commonly known as "Bellydance", this performing art has origins in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Bellydance has been widely embraced throughout the world and is very popular in the United States. Women of all ages, sizes, educational and cultural backgrounds find this dance to be an empowering, healthy, and fun dance form.

When you step inside the Memphis Dance Oasis, 
you leave all your inhibitions and daily stresses at the door!

We seek to maintain a comfortable, learning environment.   Kick off your shoes, tie a scarf around your waist, and join the ranks of smiling faces. What could be better than dancing alongside sisters who don't care what size pants you wear, what you scored on your ACT, or how much money you make?

Our instructors cater to each student's individual goals. Whether you're looking to lose weight and get in shape, immersing yourself in the practices of a foreign culture, or simply looking for a fun weekly get-a-way from daily stress, our classes will suit you. 

We let you set your own pace. Our ultimate goal is for you to enjoy yourself in class -  not rushing to get you stage-ready! All students move at a different pace, depending on their prior body movement experience.  Our ongoing fundamentals classes allow students to stay in the beginner-level class as long as they need to master each movement before advancing to the next level. 
 
 

So, you're ready to sign up - now what?

Step 1: Check our current schedule of classes

Step 2: Call or e-mail the instructor for availability and the code to the studio door

Step 3: Head to class! (it's a good idea to get to your first class 10 minutes early to meet your instructor and get your information packet)

And if you still have any unanswered questions, check our our Frequently-Asked Question page!