Persian Dance | A Graceful Iranian Movement Language

Experience this elegant and unique Middle Eastern dance. Technique, movement patterns, choreography and pure joy.

What you'll learn
Foundational principles of Iranian dance: body line, wrist motion, hand shape, relationship between the hand and gaze
Technique: arm and hand movements, shoulder isolations, basic turn, foot placement and patterns
Layering Movements: Learn how to layer simple movements to create more complex movement patterns within the style of Iranian dance
Transitions: Understand how movements connect to create flow specific to Iranian dance
Choreography: Iranian/Persian dance choreography broken up into short sequences
Musicality: Become familiar with Iranian music and how movement and music fit together
Requirements
Some experience in any style of movement or dance practice
Comfortable attire: form-fitting and comfortable dance/workout clothing to best see movement when checking in the mirror, hair at least partially pulled back to optimize your view of shoulder, neck and head
A nearby full-length mirror is highly recommended to check movements while taking class (a hanging door mirror works!)
Description
Enhance your fluidity and grace in your everyday life through the practice of this beautiful dance form. Enjoy moving in an intricate, graceful way using a world-renowned and definitive Iranian dance technique. Foster a strong mind and body connection through layered movement patterns that will challenge your coordination.About the CourseGo at your own pace in this student-centered course which accommodates all types of learners. Iranian Dance Academy instructors, Sharhzad and Delsie, will guide you through a course that builds from simple movement vocabulary to challenging movement patterns.Learn to embody cultural aesthetic elements through movement exercises while connecting with traditional music.Experience joy and vitality and leave feeling graceful and serene with this brief, but powerful immersion into Iranian dance.The lessons are organized into short, easily accessible sections, while maintaining a smooth flow throughout the course. What is Iranian Dance?This dance style is characterized by fluid arm and hand movements that embody iconic shapes and images found in the aesthetics of Iranian art, and distinct cultural nuances and social mannerisms. Graceful body lines reflect the rich aesthetics of Persian/Iranian culture. Rhythmic foot patterns texturize the movement and connect it with the music.Note: The terms “Persian” and “Iranian” are often used synonymously and there is some confusion and much discourse around the appropriate term for this dance genre. In the West this dance style is often referred to as Persian classical dance, however, in Iran it is called Iranian Dance.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction and Foundational Principles

Lecture 1 General Course and Instructor Information (Including Instructor Performance)

Lecture 2 Course Overview

Lecture 3 Welcome

Lecture 4 About Shahrzad Technique

Lecture 5 Take a peek! Course Choreography Excerpts

Lecture 6 Foundational Principles

Lecture 7 Warmup for Iranian Dance

Section 2: Sequence 1 Movement Vocabulary and Choreography Sequence

Lecture 8 Lesson 1: Elemental Hand Movement

Lecture 9 Lesson 2: Isolation and Layering

Lecture 10 Lesson 3: Integrating Hands and Feet

Lecture 11 Lesson 4: Assembling Sequence 1

Lecture 12 Sequence 1 Practice

Section 3: Sequence 2 Movement Vocabulary and Choreography Sequence

Lecture 13 Lesson 1: Bodyline

Lecture 14 Lesson 2: First Part of Sequence 2

Lecture 15 Lesson 3: Integrating Arms and Feet

Lecture 16 Lesson 4: Second Part of Sequence 2

Lecture 17 Lesson 5: Assembling Sequence 2

Lecture 18 Sequence 2 Practice

Section 4: Sequence 3 Movement Vocabulary and Choreography Sequence

Lecture 19 Lesson 1: Steal the Heart Away with this Movement

Lecture 20 Lesson 2 Challenging Transitions

Lecture 21 Lesson 3: Assemble Sequence 3

Lecture 22 Lesson 4: Adding the Ending Phrase

Lecture 23 Sequence 3 Practice

Section 5: Assembling the Choreography

Lecture 24 Practicing Tips from Delsie and Shahrzad

Lecture 25 Assembling Sequence 1, 2 and 3 into a Full Choreography

Lecture 26 Full Choreography Shahrzad

Lecture 27 Full Choreography Delsie

Lecture 28 Cool Down and Closing

Lecture 29 Music Information

Lecture 30 Congratulations! What's Next?

Anyone looking to expand into new kinds of movement and creating new mind-body connections,Anyone searching for a low-impact activity that will be kind to their joints and offer love to their spirit,Anyone with an open mind and heart and a desire to learn a beautiful, graceful dance style,Dancers and dance students who have been wanting to try Iranian/Persian dance in a structured, accessible and engaging way,Dancers and dance students who have a passion for Iranian dance and want to continue to develop and refine their technique and expression