FCBD Teachers and FatChanceBellyDance Sister Studios ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ATS BELLYDANCE CLASSES~
CHELMSFORD, CANVEY, COLCHESTER & RAYLEIGH, ESSEX
AKULA TRIBAL BELLYDANCE was formed by Maxine Brennan and Christine Tillett who are both FatChanceBellyDance Certified American Tribal Style Teachers and Sister Studios.
Akula Tribal are dedicated to presenting ATS as created and developed by our mentor FatChanceBellyDance Director and Master Teacher, Carolena Nericcio. We believe that ATS is for everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or gender. Bellydancing can be a strenuous exercise, our student’s health and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us. We have been trained to understand in a scientific way how to use bellydance as exercise in an effective but safe manner. We never blend with or present other styles of Tribal Bellydance and follow the FCBD ‘Sister Studio’ goal, which is to ensure that anywhere in the world (and now in Chelmsford, Colchester, Canvey Island and Rayleigh) students will receive consistent and quality instruction whilst having fun!
After many years of training with some of the best Bellydance teachers in the world, including Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance and Megha Gavin of Devyani, we formed our own troupe Akula Tribal Bellydance to enable us to share the knowledge that has been passed on to us, with our own students.
We are always delighted when asked to perform at a variety of events, including recently alongside DJ Dave Monk on the BBC Essex 'Ditch the Diet' Roadshows. Whilst we dance professionally as a duet, we are now extremely proud of our fabulous student troupe who are able to accompany us to suitable venues. If we don't already have a prior booking then we would love to come along to your event and if it is for charity we may even perform free of charge! We are also available for ATS workshops, please check our
Events Page for any that we may be teaching in your area.
For further details and more information on classes, ATS workshops, or how to book Akula Tribal Bellydance, please contact;
Maxine 07910 745936
Christine 07732 723474
AMERICAN TRIBAL STYLE BELLYDANCE performances are always exciting, unpredictable and refreshingly different as they are
generally totally improvised (although audiences may believe they are fully choreographed!). Moves are initiated by the lead dancer, who usually stands in the front left position of the formation, through a series of subtle cues and transitions. One of the most wonderful things about ATS bellydance is that as a student, performer or teacher, once you have learnt the moves and are able to read the cues, you are no longer restricted to dancing solo or only with your own troupe. As an ATS bellydancer you can join in and dance with any other person, anywhere in the world, who also understands the 'ATS language'...
Our inspiration will always be the director of FatChanceBellyDance and
creator of American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS) Carolena Nericcio,the wonderful Megha Gavin of Devyani, our lovely friend Deana of Tribal Unity, along with all of the other fabulous dancers we have met and are yet to meet on this amazing journey...Namaste!
AKULA ~ In Hinduism, another name for the Goddess Parvati, the divine mother of the universe, the consort of Lord Shiva and mother of their sons Ganesha & Kartikeya. When shown alongside Shiva, Goddess Parvati has only two hands the right holding a blue lotus and the left hanging loosely by her side. When represented alone, Parvati Ma is shown with four hands, two hands holding red and blue lotuses and the other two exhibiting the Varada and Abhaya mudras. Inspired by her beauty, Shiva became the fountainhead of the arts, drama and dance.
Varada mudra ~ symbolises charity & compassion. It is nearly always made with the left hand, with the arm hanging naturally at the side of the body, the palm of the open hand facing forward and the fingers extended.
Abhaya mudra ~ symbolises protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright and joined.
