Get quick answers to the most common questions about our Egyptian dance (belly dance) program.
Our studio, Oriental Phoenix Arts (OPA) has a strict NO REFUND policy. Before reserving a class or making a purchase, ensure your commitment and understand our policies.
Please keep track of your purchase expiration dates and class hour credits on your MindBody account as all sales are final, and refunds are not available. Contact us for extenuating circumstances.
Class Package/Membership Expirations:
Unused packages/tuition membership class credits DO EXPIRE and do not roll over and will not extend unless due to long-term injury or illness.
Class Cancellation/Make-Up:
Follow our WhatsApp, Facebook, & Instagram for class updates. Missed classes can be made up (in another class at your skill level) before your active package/membership expires.
Tuition Membership Changes:
Recurring memberships can be canceled, upgraded, downgraded, or frozen with a 10-day notice. Freeze for 1-3 months. For any membership changes, contact us promptly
We reserve the right to refuse service or cancel a membership without notice.
To expedite your registration, please reserve your first class online BEFORE you arrive at our studio.
If you are having technical difficulties and are unable to pre-register online, contact us FIRST to let us know you’re coming and plan to arrive 15 minutes BEFORE the scheduled class time, so we can register you in before your class begins.
Most instructors and students wear fitness-type clothing, like t-shirts and yoga pants/tights.
Some like to wear “belly dance” specific practice wear.
Most students wear a hip scarf. This is optional. We have some to borrow or purchase at our studio.
Showing your tummy is completely up to you. Some students do, some don’t.
Most go barefoot. Some wear suede-soled dance slippers, so they can turn more easily.
Technically, no, but you might want to bring:
- water
- something to take notes
- hip scarf
- finger cymbals
We have hip scarves and cymbals to borrow during class, until you are able to get your own.
Anyone can learn to belly dance at any age!
However, Ahlam Academy classes are designed for students 12 & up because most of our students are between the ages of 30-60, with some a little younger and some older.
Video/photography is prohibited without explicit permission from the instructor during class; we reserve the right to video/photograph during class (students may opt out) and we may use that media for educational/promotional purposes.
We generally don’t allow observing or auditing of our classes.
If you are interested in joining our classes, we highly recommend participating in a few classes to best evaluate whether or not it’s for you.
You may also check out our social media account videos to get a feel for the Ahlam Academy program, its instructors and students.
Ladies who cover are very welcome to attend, however, due to the way our studio is set up, we cannot guarantee other male students or our other studio staff might not see you as they walk past the training hall. You are welcome to remain covered at your discretion during your classes.
We encourage new participants to try our on-going classes:
Beginner Belly Dance (no/little experience)
Beyond Belly Dance (some experience)
This is our opportunity to get to know each other and evaluate if our offerings align with your expectations.
The Eye of Horus – The right eye (of Ra) represents the Sun bringing masculine energy, protection, and health. The Left eye (of Horus) represents the Moon (feminine energy, intuition, and magic). The left eye is sometimes associated with Thoth, the god of writing, wisdom, knowledge, and is the maintainer of the universe.
Thoth is also associated with the Greek god of communication, Hermes, and the two have become known as Hermes Trismegistus (the thrice great), who has been credited with writing many Hermetic philosophy texts. The Hermetic tradition is said to have started in the ancient Middle East, where practitioners developed methods to transmute lead into gold through alchemical processes. This, of course, is also a metaphor for internal alchemy / personal transformation through the application of wisdom, experience, and knowledge.
Scarab – In Egyptian mythology, Khepri “He Who is Coming into Being” represented by the scarab, is the god of creation, transformation, and resurrection. In our logo, the scarab is connected to the circle, or rather the Sun. The story goes that Khepri is the one that “pushed” the Sun god, Ra, up every morning creating the new day. Like the beetle, we too push around a lot of “dung”, but that dung is also there to teach us important life lessons. Like Khepri, we can take that scrap and transform it into something beautiful and nourishing to ourselves and others.
Lotus – The lotus flower is one of the most commonly used symbols from East Asia to Egypt. In Egypt, it symbolizes rebirth. The lotus flower flourishes within the murky waters in which it grows. No matter how yucky the waters may seem, the lotus rises above and shines its beauty. In our logo, it represents rising above any obstacle or perceived disadvantage, seeing everything as a growth opportunity.
The Candle Within / Internal fire / Inner flame – We tend to thrive most when we possess inner fire, a passion within that is so strong it compels us to move forward along our unique path. While the passion and the path is different for everyone, the result is the same – more personal and spiritual fulfillment.
