The Raqs Flow Level system
The Raqs Flow program is designed for students who seek to achieve personal growth and development through completion of all 4 levels. Levels 1 and 2 are open to anyone interested in learning more about Raqs Flow or just looking for in-depth training with Sadie, without the obligation to test. Levels 3 and 4 are closed to students who are certified in Level 1 and 2.
- Raqs Flow Level system 100%
Philosophy
Raqs Flow celebrates the belief that our bodies are innately designed for dynamic movement. Dancing is one of the most natural and primitive forms of self-expression, devotion, cultural heritage and social bonding.
Dance is very therapeutic and healing on both a personal and social level and is accessible to all! Aspects and benefits of dance are accessible even to those who are physically impaired or immobile.
Raqs Flow seeks to instill a deep understanding and appreciation of the technique, history and culture of Bellydance as well as examining the art form in terms of its historical and current context, relevance and application.
The training program allows students and professionals a safe, non-judgemental space to discover and study the many facets of the subject on a deeper level than would otherwise be possible.
The program empowers students with the knowledge and know-how of understanding their body and expressing themselves through dance movement; helping to removing all blockages, physical, mental and emotional that keep us from our flow. Raqs Flow respects each person’s unique way of interpreting this art form as well as the journey that brought them to it, while honoring and preserving the traditions of this dance for future generations to enjoy. There is so much wisdom and culture of this ancient yet ever evolving dance.
Curriculum
The 250-hour—4 level program— educates, motivates and inspires students through direct interaction and participation in program intensives and immersion opportunities; such as retreats, workshops and tours. The program requires students to fulfill a required amount of hours toward intellectual study, projects, assignments and personal practice which can be done on their own time and at their own pace within the guidelines of the program.
The design of the program allows students to stay dedicated to the style of their preference while exploring and learning about the relevance and importance of all the styles that make up the art form. Students completing and earning certification in all 4 levels of the program will be eligible to participate in advanced level graduate courses which will offer specialized, focused training in certain professional topics. More information will be made available upon enrollment of Level 4.
*Upon registration for Level 1, students will receive a fully detailed program Welcome Packet.
Open to all levels of dancers though this is not a beginner’s course. Dancers should have some basic training in Bellydance.
Overview and Topics
- History and cultural examination
- Level 1 Strength training and conditioning to develop the core, enhance stamina, flexibility, balance, and well-being
- Implementation of posture and arm positions.
- Introduction to applicable classical dance movement techniques and body mechanics
- Level 1 Raqs Flow technique and movement vocabulary
- Introduction to the Raqs Sharqi movement vocabulary
- Level 1 Rhythm identification and timing
- Level 1 Drills designed to enhance stamina, coordination and rhythmic consistency
- Level 1 Choreography to enhance and develop “Flow”
LEVEL 1 TEST
A 2-hour testing will be scheduled at the conclusion of the Level 1 intensive to evaluate comprehension of the material covered.
The test will consist of:
- A physical test
- A written test
Open to all dancers who have participated in Level 1 whether they tested or not.
Overview and topics
- Continuation of history and cultural examination.
- Level 2 Strength training and conditioning to develop the core, enhance stamina, flexibility, balance, and well-being
- Posture and Level 2 arm positions and stylizations. Analysis of their modes of use
- Level 2 Raqs Flow technique and movement vocabulary, introduction to isolations and layering
- Level 2 Raqs Sharqi technique and movement vocabulary
- Foot patterns and transitions
- Development of spins and turns
- Level 2 Drills designed to enhance stamina, coordination and rhythmic consistency
- Level 2 Rhythm identification. Introducing finger cymbals and basic darbuka techniques with musician
- Level 2 Choreography to enhance and develop “Flow”
LEVEL 2 Prerequisites
Disseminated to students as they register for Level 2. You are only required to fulfill the prerequisites if you intend on testing in Level 2.
LEVEL 2 TEST
Testing will be scheduled at the conclusion of the Level 2 intensive to evaluate comprehension of the material covered.
The test will consist of:
- A physical test
- A written test
LEVEL 2 Additional requirements to certify
- Level 2 projects and reading assignments of blogs, research papers and books on related topics of Level 2. The Level 2 written test will test for competency in the reading material
Closed Level for dancers who have tested and passed both Level 1 & 2.
Overview and topics
- History and cultural examination: an exploration of Indigenous and Folkloric dances of North Africa and the Middle East
- Level 3 Strength training and conditioning to develop the core, enhance stamina, flexibility, balance, and well-being
- Continuation of classical dance movement techniques and veil techniques
- Level 3 Raqs Flow technique and movement vocabulary. Incorporating all movements learned to this point.
- Phrasing and Transitions
- Level 3 Raqs Sharqi technique and movement vocabulary / folkloric dances
- Level 3 Rhythm identification. Intermediate finger cymbals and continuing darbuka techniques. Introduction to frame drum and riqq
- In depth musicality exploring rhythm, melody, lyrics and Maqam
- Improvisation to live music with assigned movements sets.
- Stage presence, emotion, tarab and stylization
- Costuming
- Level 3 Drills designed to enhance stamina, coordination and rhythmic consistency
- Level 3 Choreographies to enhance and develop “Flow”
LEVEL 3 Prerequisites
Disseminated to student upon registration for Level 3.
LEVEL 3 TEST
Testing will be scheduled at the conclusion of the Level 3 intensive to evaluate comprehension of the material covered.
The test will consist of:
- A physical test
- A written test
- 1 performance presentation
LEVEL 3 Additional requirements to certify
- Level 3 projects and reading assignments of blogs, research papers and books on related topics of Level 3. The Level 3 written test will test for competency in the reading material.
Closed Level to dancers who have tested and passed Levels 1, 2 & 3.
Overview and topics
- Examining the historical timeline of Bellydance, analysis of current context, relevance and application
- Level 4 Strength training and conditioning to develop the core, enhance stamina, flexibility, balance, and well being
- Level 4 Raqs Flow technique and movement vocabulary, advanced sequencing
- Level 4 Raqs Sharqi technique and movement vocabulary / modern styling.
- Level 4 Drills designed to enhance stamina, coordination and rhythmic consistency
- Level 4 Rhythm identification, performance of a live composition playing your choice of finger cymbals, frame drum, riqq or darbuka
- Study, analysis, formulation, creative process and presentation
- Staging
- Level 4 Advanced professional choreographies to enhance and develop “Flow”
LEVEL 4 Prerequisites
Disseminated to students upon registration for Level 4.
LEVEL 4 TEST
Testing will be scheduled at the conclusion of the Level 4 intensive to evaluate comprehension of the material covered.
The test will consist of:
- A physical test
- A written test
- Level 4 Flow Choreographies
- Level 4 Finger Cymbal/Drum Solo (darbuka) choreography as a live group performance, your choice of playing cymbals, frame drum, riqq or darbuka
- 1 performance presentation
LEVEL 4 Additional requirements to certify
- Level 4 projects and reading assignments of blogs, research papers and books on related topics of Level 4. The Level 4 written test will test for competency in the reading material.
*Curriculum and course material subject to change at anytime.
Sadie’s Raqs Flow
I absolutely love the all encompassing approach of Raqs Flow. I feel the history and education on culture is invaluable.
This Raqs Flow journey has helped me grow as a student, mentor, teacher, choreographer and more.”
FAQs
WHY CERTIFY WITH SADIE?
The most common approach to learning Bellydance leads the majority of students to train in classes and “weekend warrior” style workshops that focus mostly on “bestselling” topics to sell out a class. This approach barely skims the surface of what this dance has to offer; if it even touches on it at all and ultimately leads dancers in the direction of imitation rather than creation.
This is a program for students looking to go a journey of personal development. My floor is open to students who are just discovering this beautiful dance as well as advanced professionals seeking a safe, non-judgemental space to continue honing their craft. As your mentor I will push you, challenge you and inspire you!
WHY DID YOU DEVELOP RAQS FLOW? WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED TO DO SO?
True, anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a “professional” but this does not mean that there are not really great and worthwhile programs out there with incredible teachers, quite the opposite actually. It just means that you should do your homework in researching dancers. Ultimately it is you who will make the decision on whom you deem qualified based on what you are looking for in a teacher and who you connect with. When seeking an instructor or mentor, align with your personal dance goals and the type of people you want to surround yourself with.
I was motivated to create Raqs Flow by my students and their enthusiasm and trust in me! My ultimate inspiration comes from a place of deep gratitude and insatiable desire to empower others! I want people to fall in love with this dance as much as I have!
In the nearly two decades I have been practicing Bellydance I have performed and taught thousands of hours and thousands of students, in hundreds of cities in over 40 countries. I have made dozens of instructional videos and shared the stage with some of the worlds greatest legends and stars. I have had the privilege to discuss the politics and issues that are of concern in the Bellydance community with many of my peers and respected artists.
I have learned hard lessons and have been challenged and pushed to my limits. My enthusiasm to continue dancing has ebbed and flowed. I won’t insult you by pretending that it is all glitter and glamour because it is not. To be great at anything takes patience, self-examination and growth.
To this day I train and study with our living grandmothers and grandfathers of the dance. I train my body through other modalities of movement and I strive to link the connections of a universal dance language as well as appreciate and perserve the uniqueness of Oriental Dance. Being a foreigner in love with an art form from Arab culture has motivated me to understand all that I can about it on a deep level. The journey never ends. I am a seeker! Teaching for me is the highest form of education.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE?
As a person who wishes to contribute to the beauty and kindness in the world you will not find any harsh, dogamtic teaching styles with me. While the Raqs Flow curriculum is physically demanding and challenging and I push my students to give their best and to break thresholds within themselves, at the end of the day, I treat all my students with respect for the individuals they are. There is no “one size fits all” conformity mentality in my program.
My ultimate goals is, once again, to empower students and leave them feeling better about themselves. If I can help anyone more deeply connect to their physical bodies, then I know that will positively impact all areas of their life.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Level 1 and 2 are open to anyone interested in learning more about Raqs Flow or just looking for in depth training with Sadie without the obligation to test. Levels 3 and 4 can only be attended by students certified in Levels 1, 2 and 3.
WHAT STYLE OF BELLYDANCE DOES RAQS FLOW TEACH?
HOW MANY YEARS DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE?
DOES CERTIFYING IN RAQS FLOW GUARANTEE A PROFESSION AS A BELLYDANCER?