MANDY HABERMEHL
Mandy was first introduced to bellydance when taking Egyptian Drumming classes in 2002. She found immediate enjoyment in the Middle Eastern music and began studying under Alana Miller (now in Hong Kong www.uulady.com). Mandy has also studied under Dharlene Valeda, and Khizmet of Khizmet Bellydance in Cambridge, where she was a member of Khizmet’s troupe “Karma” from 2007-2009, andwith Hiba (Guelph). She has participated in workshops and master classes with other bellydance greats, such as Jillina (bellydance superstars), Bozenka, Yasmina Ramzy, Aida Nour, Hadia, Aziza, Hannan Sultan, Ranya Renee, Autumn Ward, Lesya Starr, and Razia.
In 2007 Mandy took interest in the development of Tribal Fusion Bellydance. She has taken classes or workshops from many instructors including the well known Valizan from Hamilton, Amy Sigil of Unmata, Kami Liddle (Bellydance Superstars), Audra Simmons from Dark Side Studio in Toronto, Sera Solstice, Kim Green (Flamenco), Andrea Fryett of Montreal, Marie-Chantal of Les Trib’elles, Neefa of Khafif, Mira Betz and Safa.
Mandy had previously taught dance at Haft Vadi Studio, Lifeline Fitness, outdoor festivals, community groups and special events. With no prior experience to dance or music, she is able to understand the hardships of learning a new form of movement from a beginner level. She seeks to find the enjoyment and confidence that bellydance can bring, and to help her students achieve their similar goals in the artform in a relaxed and enjoyable way. With a love for the supportive environment of bellydance, she tries to promote confidence and fun for women of all shapes and sizes and ages, while being aware of proper technique to avoid injuries.
In 2009 Mandy opened up Down Hips Dance Studio as a home to many dance instructors and students with the endeavor to create an adobe for a variety of instructors and bellydance forms in an open and supportive community. Shortly after she founded the Down Hips Dance troupe with whom she now dances with along side 7 other fantastic ladies!
She credits Khizmet of Khizmet Bellydance in Cambridge (www.khizmet.com) for showing her the true passion and love in bellydance, and for her pure support in instructing, dancing and life!
Mandy Habermehl teaches: Egyptian Bellydance, Veils, Tribal Fusion
email mandy@downhips.com
KATIE HENDRICKS
Katie Hendricks’ instruction in Egyptian Belly Dance began at Haft Vadi Studio in 2006 where she studied with Dharlene Valeda and Mandy Habermehl. It did not take long before Katie was captivated by Tribal Fusion Belly Dance and began her ongoing study of this dance form. She has participated in classes and workshops with: Valizan-ATS (Hamilton), Kami Liddle-Tribal Fusion (Belly Dance Super Stars), Andrea Fryett-Tribal Fusion (Montreal), Audra Simons-Tribal Fusion (Dark Side Studio), Rachelle Clinch-Tribal Fusion (Guelph), Ishra (Guelph), Chantal De Santos, Alana Miller (Hong Kong), and Mira Betz-Tribal Fusion, Flamenco with Kim Green and has participated in classes in Burlesque (Sassy Ray), and American Tribal Style (Orkeideh).
Katie values the drilling of isolation technique and layering, as well as incorporating strength training to precise muscle groups with body resistance and repetition. Her goals as an instructor are to help students find the groove in movement, and a passion in dance through individualized methods, unique to each dancer. Her classes are challenging and detailed with attention given to technique, and muscle building while achieving the essence of tribal fusion. Katie places importance on studying various different dance styles to achieve a well rounded approach to dance.
Currently Katie is a member of the Down Hips Dance Troupe.
email katie@downhips.com
REBECCA BALAZ
Rebecca had no prior dance experience before she began belly dancing in 2004 at Haft Vadi Studio. This experience had allowed her to truly empathize with her students, while finding the individual and unique learning curves for new dancers. Rebecca continued her dance study with Khizmet of Khizmet’s Bellydance Studio in Cambridge, where she performed with Khizmet’s troupe Karma from 2006 to 2009. Rebecca has studied dance with numerous instructors from our area including Gaelle Dufour (France), Alana Miller (Hong Kong), Hiba, Cassandra Fox, Mandy Habermehl and Ishra. Included in her studies she has participated in many Workshops, and master classes with Professional dancers such as Unmata, Bellyqueen, Audra, Hannan Sultan, Aziza, Andrea Freyette, Bozenka, Ranya Renee, Roula Said, Jillina, Hadia – to name a few. Currently, Rebecca is a member of the Down Hips Dance Troupe.
As an NCCP Level 1 Coach (national coaching certification program) Rebecca has had experience in leading a variety of physical activities. She has received the Junior Officer Leadership course and Basic Officer training through the Military where she was a drill instructor for the Cadets and also been credited as a Sailing Instructor, Swimming Instructor and Lifeguard, as well as coaching volleyball teams and participating in “Outward Bound”.
As part of her personal development as a dancer, she has focused on improving core strength, stamina, flexibility, fitness and the resulting body awareness that is essential to good dance technique. Her goal is to help dancers develop strength and flexibility to complement their dance instruction.
LISA MANARY
Strength & Grace Fitness
As founder of Strength & Grace, Lisa enjoys helping women nurture their bodies through Bellydance, Personal Training and Reiki. Lisa first discovered Bellydance in 1999 and began teaching in 2004. She performs solo for birthday parties, and bridal showers, and as part of Khizmet’s dance troupe Karma. She has studied with Khizmet, Dharlene Valeda, Alana Miller, has attended various workshops, and completed her Instructor Certification with Hadia, and continues her training. This intensive training sparked an interest in Personal Training and Lisa has taken certification courses through the YMCA as well as Can-Fit-Pro. This combination of training allows her to assist with muscle strength, balance, postural alignemnt, and injury prevention. Lisa is fascinated by the mind, body and spirit interplay; she is a Reiki Practioner and the author of “Hidden Treasure, Meditation Journeys to Uncover the Joy in Your Life”. Lisa is a compassionate instructor who believes everyone can acheive their goals with the right approach. For more information contact lisamanary@yahoo.com.
DAHLIA IBRAHIM – Salsa
Dahlia Ibrahim, from the K-W area, has been dancing salsa for over 6 years. Her training has come from the Latin Community and the Association of Latin American Students at Wilfrid Laurier from 2003-2005. Dahlia has also taken classes in Bellydance in the past and is able to understand the lingo and muscle memory that bellydancers may have. Dahlia strives to show others that you can learn salsa through the simple love and passion for the music and dance.
SASSY RAY
A principle performer with Revue Royale Burlesque and the founder of Oh, You Tease! School of Burlesque, Miss Sassy Ray has been bringing Burlesque Revival to the masses since 2006. With a lifelong passion for theatrical performance and strong 15+ year dance background under her belt, Miss Sassy now focuses her creative energies on teaching and performing Classic Burlesque - recreating the lost Art of Tease so popular in the 1930s-1950s. Class in an Hour Glass!
: Burlesque
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FAITH – Bollywood
Faith discovered belly dance in 2008 when she took a class with Khizmet (Khizmet’s Bellydance Studio) on a whim, and subsequently found her new addiction. She continued to study with Khizmet, and complemented this with study under Rhaehana and the completion of the Middle Eastern Dance I course at Haliburton School of the Arts with Yasmina Ramzy. She is a member of Khizmet’s troupe Karma and Rhaehana’s troupe Bella Luna, and continues to study under many instructors through a variety of classes and workshops. Shortly after discovering Middle Eastern dance, Faith took an interest in both classical and modern Indian dance, and has taken various classes and workshops with such instructors as Lopa Sarkar and Divya Kumar.
Faith began teaching in 2009, and loves seeing the joy on women’s faces as they discover what their bodies are capable of, from that very first shimmy all the way to a finally “getting” a complicated mudra!
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Krystina Bednarowski – Bellydance
Always admiring the Egyptian culture and music growing up it was only natural for her to have an interest in belly dance. Noted for having the “hips” of the dance, she has learnt to embrace her figure and encourages her students to do so as well.
Her infatuation with bellydance began in 2004 being taught at Haft Vadi under Dharlene and Sheldon Valeda. In 2005 she studied with Khizmet in Cambridge where she performed with Khizmet’s troupe Karma from 2006 to 2009. She is now continuing her studies at Down Hips Dance Studio, and is a member of Down Hips Dance Troupe.
Krystina has previous dance experience taking Jazz as a teenager, and has also taken other forms of dance such as Burlesque, Caribbean Fusion, and Bollywood name a few.
She has taken workshops and studied with other instructors such as: Divya Kumar (Toronto), Gaelle Dufour (France), Andrea Freyette (Montreal), Alana Miller (Hong Kong), Rhaehanna (Cambridge), Chantal De Santos (Germany), Unmata (California), Bellyqueen (New York)
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YOGA WITH TRACEY
My passion for yoga began 10 years ago when I moved to Kitchener-Waterloo. I took my love of health and fitness to a new level and completed a program with Canadian School of Natural Nutrition becoming a Registered Nutritionist. After a few years employed at a health food store, I attended my first yoga class. The moment I stepped “on the mat”, I knew that yoga would be a big part of my life. A friend suggested I take Yoga Teacher Training and help her teach the classes while she was away. Teaching brought about a new desire and passion to learn and practice at a deeper level. It is my personal goal to inspire, educate and teach participants the positive value and amazing benefits of a Yoga and Pilates practice. I create fun and empowering classes that everyone will enjoy and feel successful. I will teach you how to manage your stress through physical exercise, mindful meditation and relaxation techniques. Although a teacher, I am constantly upgrading and continuing my education — forever a student, with an open mind and heart, ready to learn from other students, wonderful teachers, and always through my own practice and commitment.
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Karate-Aiki Jujitsu Academy Of Martial Arts
Down Hips Dance Studio also houses the Karate-Aiki Jujitsu Academy Of Martial Arts with lead instructor Sensei Silva, who holds a 4th degree black belt level.
Classes from 5 years old up.
Adults (male & female) are welcome, as well as parents with their children, or families.
$60.00/month/person.
Call 519-729-7882 or email jujitsu.karate@gmail.com for more information.