Class Descriptions
When & Where: Victoria/Sooke Schedule | Cowichan Valley/Shawnigan Lake Schedule
How to Register: Click here
West African
African Dance is not just movement for movements' sake but the embodiment of poetry, history, community and transformation.
Introduction to West African Dance
Immerse yourself in the rhythms and traditions of West Africa. Bare feet and comfortable clothing are the only pre-requisites! Live Percussion.
Intermediate West African Dance
Continuing students will be able to progress at a faster pace. Higher jumps! Faster pulses! Live Percussion.
West African Dance — All Levels
"I am touched by Africa. She lives through my spirited self. She has spoken to me. I move into myself by being myself."
Everyone welcome! Live Percussion.
8-12 year olds Kids' West African / Jazz Dance
Jump, shimmy, turn and swing in an exciting new West African and Jazz rhythm and dance class! Some live percussion to accompany the dancing.
Baby & Me West African Dance
Immerse baby and you in the rhythms of West Africa. All levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and a sling, wrap, snuggly or backpack to carry baby.
West African Drumming (Djembe)
Join MoonDance drummers for traditional West African rhythm and technique. Experience the benefits of hand drumming: increased clarity and focus, community building, joy and release.
Doundoun Dance Class
Love making music AND moving to it? In this class you don't have to choose. Play rhythms on the West African bass drum (doundoun) with sticks, while simultaneously carrying out dance moves! Even if you've never drummed or danced before, Mohamed makes it easy to follow. Treat yourself to a challenging new experience!
West African Dance with Aboubacar
Come laugh, dance, and drum in this lively class while enjoying a traditional cultural experience.
Other Classes
Adult Ballet
Join Lynn for body-friendly contemporary ballet. Our goal is not to be prima ballerinas, so let's listen to our body's wisdom, and have fun exploring the fluidity, grace, and power of ballet.
Afro-Colombian
Join Danny Mosquera for an exploration of contemporary Afro-Colombian dance. Danny's fast-paced, lively style will keep a smile on your face!
Asana Dance — Beginner/Intermediate
Find freedom of movement through strength and release. Using yoga as the foundation for an exploration of music and movement, the class builds on the body's natural abilities. No previous experience required.
Bhangra Dance
Bhangra is a lively form of folk music and dance that originates from Punjab. Punjabi wheat farmers danced and sang songs about village life to help pass the time while working in the fields. With time, these became part of harvest celebrations at Vaisakhi (April 13) festivals, as the sight of their crops growing invigorated the farmers. From here the dance quickly moved through all divisions of class and education, eventually becoming a part of weddings, New Year parties, and other important occasions. It has enjoyed a surge in popularity worldwide, both in traditional form and as a fusion with genres such as hip-hop and reggae. The music speaks to the spirit, the body responds with movement... the outcome is a dance to delight all who answer the call.
Bhangra for Kids
Bhangra is a great way for children to learn rhythm in dance, which provides a strong foundation for any kind of dance. More importantly, it's a lot of fun! Join Sunny to learn Bhangra movements, music and culture.
Big Play
The class engages ideas and methods of presentation, is multidisciplinary, and grounded in movement. Ideas for this session are around mythical monsters, poetry and space. Instructor: Chris O'Connor
Contact Improvisation
Contact Improvisation is a structured form of movement improvisation that emphasizes the role of touch between bodies through weight sharing and weight transfer. This class provides a chance to explore the wonders of gravity and flow through body contact in a safe and playful environment. See poster
Composition/Performance Art
Watch out! Kids have a lot to say and this class will provide strategies for those ideas to evolve into engaging performance pieces. Chris will be the ringleader for this fun and exciting class that will draw on elements such as movement, text and new technologies.
Creative Dance for Kids
Kids discover the basics of rhythm and dance in a fun and high-energy class. Includes story, song, poetry, role play, improvisation and percussion. Influenced by jazz, African and Latin movements. Classes for 3-11 olds.
Fitness Fusion Training
Blend of yoga & pilates.
The class has been design to integrate mind-body awareness involving breathing techniques, biomechanics of movement, exercise execution and mindfulness.
This program is designed to give participants a fitness, yoga and Pilates blended class format that integrates mind-body practices to create a more
meaningful workout.
Hip Hop
Fun, funky choreography is the foundation of this class. Includes "clean" age-appropriate music, and opportunities for collaborative choreography.
Inner Wisdom Yoga
Through an in-depth exploration of single asanas, come to see the power and meaning of yoga: UNITY. Class includes warm-up, deep exploration of a yoga "pose" (asana), including journaling and time for reflection, and a final meditation.
Please note:
Lynn is not a certified yoga instructor. She has been practicing yoga all her life. (Her Mom is a yogini, and Lynn grew up doing yoga in the living room,
and occasionally attending classes with her Mom. As an adult she has always had a regular practice and studied with many fabulous instructors.)
She feels that her extensive dance knowledge and teaching experience allow her to effectively and safely offer this class.
This method of journaling yoga has been a transformative and deepening experience for Lynn, and she is looking forward to sharing this.
For local certified instructors, please see two of Lynn's favourites: Nicola Cusi and
Robin Massey.
Introduction to Flamenco Dance
Experience the magic of Spanish Romany (gypsy) tradition through the artful movements of flamenco dance. Learn 4- and 12- count rhythm structures, hand-clapping (palmas), footwork and upper-body styling. Character shoes (preferable) or bare feet.
Introduction to North African Dance
The traditional dances of Morocco, Tunisia, and upper Egypt offer an ancient method for developing co-ordination and strengthening core muscles, while integrating posture and balance. Classes include deep stretches. Taught by a professional dancer with forty years experience.
Latin Dance
Details coming soon.
Meditation
This is not a meditation class or workshop, but rather a space for you to gather in community to meditate and share your bliss and peace. It has been noted that people find it easier to meditate in a group, and with the structure of the time set aside for that. Our actual time meditating will be approximately 1/2 hour. You do not need to sit on the floor: you can sit on a chair, or lie down, or have a moving meditation. There are no "rules" that need be adhered to! This is time for you to deepen to connect to the Source.
Modern Dance with guest teacher Jung-Ah Chung
Jung-Ah teaches a centre class that has challenging choreography, physicality, focus awareness, combinations across floor, stretching and most importantly charged with a love of dance and full of energy. The class is intended to build the foundations of technique in combinations that provide an exploration of movement and a sense of dance. The class will combine her own movement vocabulary as well.
Pilates
A fabulous addition to your exercise regime! A workout designed to give you a more balanced and aligned body that looks fit and feels revitalized. Overall programming aims to refine muscle tone and strength (not add bulk) and improve flexibility and posture. Focus is on bringing an awareness to breath and alignment of the spine as a way to help strengthen the deep torso stabilizing muscles and improve body awareness. Correct imbalances for a body that moves efficiently. Modifications are given in class to allow for a personalized safe and effictive workout.
Sacred Rhythm Stretch & Strength
This class meets the physical and the spiritual aspects of Self by deepening an internal connection to the sacred flow. Designed to cultivate strength in both your body and mind while increasing overall well-being. Groove to beats from around the world as you cultivate flexibility of body & spirit. Take time out for you in this relaxed and positive class.
Tot & Me Dance
Explore rhythmic play and creative dance with your child in a fun and relaxed atmosphere! Includes song, story, percussion, and role play. For children aged 1 to 3 years with a caregiver participating.
Yin Yang Yoga
This class explores postures based on the philosophy of Yin Yoga to relax the mind and body, and stretch to release the deep layers of the muscles. It is different from Hatha Yoga in that the postures are held for longer in stillness to assist the body in releasing the upper layer of muscle and deepen the stretch to the underlying muscles. As a result your body will feel looser, and the muscles, ligaments and joints will feel spacious and fluid. Safe for all levels, including beginners.
Yoga Shimmy
Yoga Shimmy is a fun fusion of Hatha Yoga and introductory / beginner level Middle Eastern Dance (aka belly dance) instruction. The blend is provided to introduce you to the basics of belly dance while enjoying the benefits of a body, mind & spirit connection through yoga and its philosophies.
Zumba
Zumba classes bring together high-energy Latin and world beat rhythms with a dynamic aerobic fitness program that inspires and energizes. Experience health benefits while experiencing a fun fitness party that tones and sculpts the body! Zumba works for all fitness levels and is easy to follow. "Ditch the work out and join the party!"
Private lessons are also available (in Drumming, Stretch & Strength, West African, and Ballet). Workshops are available in any of these disciplines.
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