Karima Helou is the owner/director of Ancient Moves Dance Company and Studios in Brantford, Ontario. After moving to this region in 2002, she has been teaching full-time, offering varying levels of classes in Middle Eastern dance to flocks of fun-seeking, wonderful women.
As a dance artist, Karima presents a multitude of dance stylings which are derived from different regions of the Middle East; including classical Oriental Dance (with or
without zills), assaya, sword, shamadan, folkloric and more. Her most recent adventures have taken North American veil dancing to a new level with what is currently termed as "Voi."
Karima's interest in this dance began in 1993 when she began her studies with one of the most established schools at the time (Freddy's Dance Academy); where she remained for the next 10 years under the tutelage of Tahira Badre and Professor Eddy Manneh. During that time, she became a main teacher and performer for the Arabian Sahara Dance Co and the Al Khaima Dinner Theatre.
Karima continues to learn within this art form, and is currently greatly influenced by the teachings of Jihan Farouk. She has also attended and organized a great deal of workshops as both a dancer and professional fitness instructor; in addition to pursuing her own collections of research and persuits to expand understanding of the dance and its culture.
Her artistry has given her the honor of performing or conducting workshops for a number of functions including: Kids Can Fly Gala (Troy), Mish Mash Belly Bash (Guelph), WOW Fun Seminars (Paris), Cancer Awareness (Brantford and Caledonia), Hipnosis Gala (Burlington), as well as other elaborate functions, family celebrations, festivals or cultural theme restaurants throughout the years. She has also participated with broadcast and print media for the goal of promoting this dance as an art form.
Karima has gained a number of accolades for her moving performances and classes but is particularly fond of the people who have shared winning moments with her. From the lovely bride and groom, left happy at their wedding reception ... to sharing glances of excitement with her dance partners and students as they feel the roots of the dance from within. A celebration of life... a love of the art to share.
Karima and the Ancient Moves studio are official, active members of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists and Dance Ontario and maintain responsibilities in terms of liability and SOCAN tarriffs.
Why "Ancient Moves?" We are inclined to call it belly dance but it is so much more than that. It is a dance that is rooted in an older way of life but remains alive today.
Whether directly or indirectly, most of what we see now is a version of our past, particulary as it applies art. As the oldest dance in the world, it has evolved into a highly recognized, skilled performing art. It also maintains its more casual form in social or fitness settings. My hope is we will always be aware of its original form and its intention as a way to celebrate life and share.
Jihan Farouk is a frequent guest teacher and choreographer at Ancient Moves studio as well as Tahira Badre's studio in Burlington. Her polished skills are shared with advanced dancers through intensive workshops or series of classes.
Involved in the the dance for over 30 years, Jihan has studied with many great artists including Maria Morca (a former student of Ibrahim Farrah) , Dahlia Obadia, Professor Eddy Manneh and Yasmina Ramzy. Jihan is one of the rare dancers who has expanded her appreciation for the art through her studies of Egyptian rhythms and drumming with the renowned Dr. George Sawa.
Jihan has performed with four different troupes as well as being a solo artist. Her impacting and powerful performances have been witnessed at such events as the Caravan and Carabram international festivals, Dancenet, the CNE and Ontario. As a dancer, she has also generously contributed to fundraisers, long term care facilities and hospitals.
Zaina: Beginner Level Belly Dance
Zaina has been taking lessons for the past four years and is now certifiedin the Ancient Moves formula for teaching standardized beginner level belly dance classes. This translates to a fun, safe, proper experience for the student.
Zaina has also been performing for Ancient Moves Dance Company since September 2008. She has participated in a number of functions, including Tillsonburg's Canada Day festival, Delhi Harvestfest, weddings, bridal showers and student showcases.
~ Belly Dance for Her ~ Belly Dance for Her ~ Belly Dance for Her ~ Belly Dance for Her ~ Belly Dance for Her ~ Belly Dance for Her ~
We are very pleased to have Julie Sumerta joining us at the studio every Sunday to share the ancient practice of Yoga. Julie has been practicing and teaching yoga now for over a decade, which includes Hatha, Kundalini and Vinyasa classes and workshops centres in both Southwestern Ontario and in Bali, Indonesia. Her classes are open to students of any level and are designed to be both fun and challenging. All classes end with deep relaxation and meditation.
Faith discovered belly dance in 2008 when she took a classes with Khizmet (of Cambridge, ON). Through continued learning with many wonderful teachers (particularly Khizmet, Rheahana, and Yasmina Ramzy), Faith has progress very quickly in this art form and currently belongs to two dance troupes out of Cambridge (Karma and Bella Luna).
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!
