Tribal Style Belly Dance
San Jose, CA
Kathy Stahlman, director of Tribal Moon, is dedicated to bringing the traditon of ATS and Improvisational Tribal Style (ITS) Belly Dance to the South Bay... and beyond.
See the link below to visit our youtube.com Tribal Moon channel:
Kathy is a former member of FatChanceBellyDance, and her classes are rooted in the tradition of American Tribal Style belly dance, a style that was created by Carolena Nericcio and the legendary tropue, FatChance BellyDance -- the originators of American Tribal Style belly dance, commonly called ATS.
Often mistaken as an 'ethnic' look, this style of belly dance is a beautiful blend of dance movements and costuming inspired by the ancient entertainers from India, Turkey, North Africa and Southern Spain.
The structured dance steps unique to ATS and Improvisational Tribal Style (ITS) allow dancers to “shadow” each other as they give and read nearly invisible body cues to seamlessly transition from movement to movement. The connection between the dancers is so strong that the audience does not realize that what they are seeing is a completely 100% improvised performance, nothing is choreographed.
The uniformity and precision displayed in this dance form comes from the technique of dancers being trained to lead and follow each other, learning how to give and read clear cues so that all the dancers move as one. It's alchemy in action.
With a background in traditional ATS you can dance, without preparation, with other ATS-trained dancers because you share the same vocabulary of movements and know how to read and give clear cues and transitions to your fellow dancers.
If you have ever been amazed watching a flock of birds flying in beautiful formations, or have seen a school of fish swimming to and fro, and wondered how they look so synchronized, then you have witnessed the magic behind the philosophy of ATS.
The tabs on the left will lead you to information on Improvisational Tribal Style classes and workshops in San Jose and Sunnyvale, links to vendors, other notable teachers, and information on upcoming bellydancing events where you can see my troupe (Tribal Moon) perform.
Please check on the Class page for information about workshops, class cancellations and
schedule changes.
No class on the following dates in June:
No class on Saturday, June 20
No classes on Monday night classes during the month of June
Drop-in students are welcome, classes are ongoing except for the dates listed above for class cancellations.
Level 1 -Tribal Basics
Saturday 10:30 - 11:45 am
Monday 6:30 - 7:45 pm
Level 1 Tribal Basics class is required for students new to belly dance, or for dancers new to Tribal Style. Drop-in is OK, open to all levels. No previous belly dance experience required.
Level 2 - Beyond Basics & Intermediate
Saturday 12:00 - 1:15 pm
In Level 2 class we refine our technique and build on the basics to create more complex moves with an emphasis on leading and following. This class is for advanced beginners (by teacher approval), intermediate and advanced students, and soon-to-be performers ready to work on complex Tribal dance moves. Previous ATS training in the FatChance format is required.
Class location:
Cambrian Yoga Studio, Cambrian Yoga Studio, 1900 Camden Ave, Suite 201
(Yoga Studio is on the second floor of the the Intero Real Esate building, near Leigh Ave, there is no sign on the front of the building. Park in the parking lot for Intero Real Estate, entrance to the building is in the back parking lot; the yoga studio is on the second floor --yes, it's a real yoga studio.
