Learn Belly Dance

Get right with yourself - mind, body, spirit.

Jill's Belly dance classes are a holistic, full body workout that will tone your pelvic floor and core, support posture and spinal alignment, improve your mood, sleep and overall fitness. The mental benefits of practising choreography in a dance class are well-document, additional attention to embodiment helps students further cultivate mind-body awareness while benefitting from being together in community.

Be present with the magic of Raqs Sharki.

Saturday Mornings at 10:30am - Belly Dance Fitness & Conditioning

A circuit class set to Arabic beats and club remixes, rotate between drilling belly dance steps, strengthening your core and challenging your body's cardiovascular fitness. This class will fire you up and leave you feeling strong, confident and capable. It compliments combos/choreos class by helping you stay strong and move with ease.

Sept 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Oct 11th, 18th, 25th

$25/drop-in, $140/7. No class Oct 4th. Please bring a yoga mat.

Saturday Mornings at 11:30am - Belly Dance Combos & Choreos

Explore various belly dance styles and moods like classical, pop, folk and fusion. Steps are taught with more simple or complex options to accommodate various levels of experience and knowledge. It compliments fitness and conditioning class by showing you how to have fun in the moment, shaking your hips and owning your dance moves.

Fall 2025: Sept 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Oct 11th, 18th, 25th

$25/drop-in, $140/7. No class Oct 4th. No yoga mat required.

FAQS

What should I wear to class?

Comfortable fitness wear that is fitted to the body. It helps to be able to see your hips in the mirror!

What footwear is appropriate for belly dance class?

Bare feet, socks, dance slippers and indoor fitness sneakers are all good options.

I've never taken a dance class before - is this for me?

Belly dance is fun and challenging - I'm here to teach you new ways to move and be in your body. Let yourself be vulnerable with me - I promise it's worth it!!

How do I find the studio?

House of Eights is at the corner of Bell Road and Sackville Street, across from Garrison grounds. There is paid parking open to the public in the vicinity, give yourself an extra 10min to find parking in the area.

Is there anything I need to bring with me?

Wear comfortable fitness wear and bring a scarf to wrap around your hips, it helps to see them in the mirror!

What are your background and credentials?

Registered Nurse in women's health since 2012, studying and performing belly dance since 2011, reiki master and working towards 200hr YTT

Student Reviews

• Jill is an energetic and happy teacher. It is awesome the way she describes the steps in words and talks about correct posture, how to protect our joints as well as the history and cultural context of Raqs Sharki
• Thank you to my dance partners, every week is so much fun with all of you. And of course thank you to Jill, she's patient and lovely. She's an amazing instructor and makes the most amazing and positive space for every one of us
• Thank you to my new belly dancing buddy Jill! She's such a loving, patient and kind instructor
• Jill's classes have brought so much joy into my life. Jill brings a positivity and light to every class. She constantly challenges us while also making us feels confident. She welcomes input and ideas from her students, making the dance a collaborative experience. Her sincere love for belly dance shines through always and inspires it in us! Jill is a wonderful belly dancer, teacher, and person. I hope you have the opportunity to learn from her too.
• What started as a fun diversion has turned into a personal journey. My mind and body have been profoundly bent in ways that are challenging and rewarding. Jill’s approach is laid back but professional and focused. She is a patient teacher who recognizes her students’ strengths, encouraging them to rise to new challenges. Jill takes care of our bodies by ensuring we learn proper technique to avoid injury and incorporates conditioning into her classes. I am forever grateful to Jill for being such an amazing teacher.

Please note refunds are not possible at this time. Please be sure before you purchase. Thank you for your understanding.