Belly Dance Basics
Join me and learn the fundamentals of my favorite cultural practice!
In this online belly dance course, get ready to...
*Pop* that booty: Nurture a positive relationship with your body, and master the moves from my viral dance videos!
Break a Sweat: Belly dance is waaay more fun than sit ups—you'll find yourself working out any time a good song comes on!
Feel Empowered: Build confidence by embodying a cultural practice that's been used to celebrate our bodies for generations.
"It inspires you to happily exercise without feeling the ‘burden’ of exercise. It helped me bring my sexy back after having 7 surgeries in 2 years. I didn’t think that was possible."
- Ruby Bajaj, Workshop Participant
Introducing Belly Dance Basics — Nurjahan-Style
What You'll Get When You Register:
- In-Depth Lessons
I'll teach you the intricacies of each movement, including simple exercises and stretches to help with isolations. Each lesson also includes accommodations for common mobility issues.
- Cultural Context
In the introduction and throughout the program, I'll share about my cultural background and the ways that we use belly dance as a source of empowerment and connection.
- Convenient Access
The course playlist is hosted on YouTube, so as long as you have data or wifi, you can tune in from anywhere in the world. Plus, you can stream the lessons on any device, including your television!
- A Program Hub
All of the course material is housed on one easy-to-navigate program page, which includes a lesson library, belly dance music playlists, and the opportunity to provide feedback along the way.
- Community
You can interact with me and other participants on any of the lessons by asking questions, celebrating wins, and sharing your progress. I can't wait to hear how each class goes for you!
- BONUS!
When you register now, you'll get access to the replay of an hour and a half-long class that includes warm ups, two new moves, and a new dance routine, and a Q&A where I give extra tips for tough movements
Access details will be provided once you register. Still have questions? Contact Nurjahan at info@nurjahanboulden.com
As women, we're taught to compete with each other, to compare our bodies, our careers, our relationships—and not just with each other either, but with unreasonable expectations.
It's time to come together and reclaim our power.
You deserve to feel beautiful when you dance!
Here's a sneak peek of our lessons together:
Introduction: The first lesson gives you a little background into my family's cultural practice of belly dance—where it usually takes place, what we typically wear, how we tie our hip scarves, and an invitation for you to participate in a way that feels comfortable for you!
Stretching: You can use this video to loosen up before you start dancing, or wait until after you're done—or whenever you might need it in between! It's important to stretch regularly throughout, so keep this video bookmarked and you can turn to it whenever you need.
Silly Dance: This practice is one I tap into regularly to release all of the tightness in my body and all of the stresses that keep me from completely letting loose. Despite what most people might think, this is an important step to mastering belly dance!
Warm-Up Routine: This is the foundation for every move you'll learn in my style of belly dance. Here, you'll learn and hone all of your isolations and truly master the basics. Do this regularly, and you'll be tearing it up on the dance floor!
Belly Dance Posture: This practice won't just make you a great dancer, it'll help with your posture, too! Practice holding your posture from your core, and you'll be walking taller in no time.
3 Pillars of Sensuality: Bring your dance to the next level using eye contact, hand placement, and tempo to enhance your movement.
One-Minute Workout: Who says exercising has to be a whole ordeal? Build your body strength a minute at a time with this simple, but stimulating, workout!
Hip Shimmy Tutorial: Make sure to stay hydrated for this one, because you'll definitely work up a sweat! In this lesson, I'll teach you how to shimmy and control that face-paced movement from your core.
Shoulder/Chest Shimmy Tutorial: Whether you have a whole lot to shake or not much jiggle at all, in this lesson you'll learn how to shimmy your upper body like a pro!
*Pop Pop* Hips Tutorial: Look, I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I do! And this is the one. In this lesson, you'll learn different ways that you can pop and drop that booty—and let me tell you, it's so much fun!
*Pop Pop* Chest Tutorial : Whether you pop your chest up or you pop your chest out, this lesson is all about finding and enhancing that *pow*!
"Hips Don't Lie" Dance Tutorial: Now it's time to bring your new moves together into a fun Shakira-inspired dance. Learn the moves from one of my viral TikTok dances, and break it out on any dance floor!
Guided Meditation: I close out every class I teach with a meditation so you can drop down into your body and process anything that's coming up for you. You can do this meditation before or after you dance, or any time you need a little extra TLC.
*NEW* Compilation Workout: One of my Belly Dance Basics students requested a video where you can dance all the way through without interruption, and I thought it was a great idea! I added it to the program to help give you a fun workout using the moves we cover in the program.
*Register Now and Get a Special Bonus*
Access a 3-part replay to a full hour and a half long class, which includes additional tips, tricks, and accommodations for tough moves, two *new* moves, and another fun routine to practice at home!
Unlock the whole course instantly when you join!
"Belly dance isn't about looking like anyone else or pleasing anyone else. It’s about finding and embracing the fullest expression of yourself, without holding back.”
- My mom, teaching my sister and I how to belly dance when we were little girls
Belly Dance Basics is self-paced, with your busy schedule in mind
Program Features:
- In-depth lessons—a break-down of each move, along with simple exercises you can do on the go
- The convenience of accessing the program from the comfort of your home, at your own pace
- A variety of belly dance music playlists that you can store and use to practice on your own
- The opportunity to interact with other participants and ask me any questions about the movement, music, or overall lessons
- *BONUS CLASS* - Register now and access an additional 3-part hour and a half class replay, with additional tips, new moves, and a fun shimmy routine!
One-Time Payment for Lifetime Access!
Access details will be provided once you register. Still have questions? Contact Nurjahan at info@nurjahanboulden.com
"Nurjahan is an exceptional teacher. She inspires, encourages and uplifts. Her passion and enthusiasm are absolutely contagious. I defy anyone to take her workshop and not come away empowered, transformed and utterly filled with joy."
- Cindy Watson, Workshop Participant
You can feel powerful and safe, no matter what you've been through.
Belly dance was passed down in East Africa through generations of women in my family—celebrating our sensuality in uniquely feminine spaces.
I started teaching belly dance to people of all ages and backgrounds when I was in college, and I dreamed of sharing it with the world—until a bullet stopped me in my tracks. I was shot in the leg with an assault rifle in a random attack at age 21.
My recovery was grueling, and even though I thought my dancing days were over, it was belly dance — with significant accommodations — that helped me get back on my feet again.
Now I share belly dance as both a skillful, sensual dance, and as a way to rebuild passion, strength, resilience, and community—no matter what you've survived.
As featured in...
I really don't feel good about my body, and I'm not ready to join until I feel better about how I look.
I know this isn't really a question, but it's probably the single biggest barrier for people joining, and it's is exactly the point of the program. Belly dance is practiced in my culture as a way to connect with your body, no matter how it feels. This program is an invitation to show up with all of it — your insecurities, your discomfort, your pain, every part of your body — because that's how we heal.
I have an injury and I don't know if I can do all of the fancy stuff. Can I still join?
Absolutely! Belly dance played a major role in my recovery from past injuries, chronic pain, and child birth. I survived a shooting when I was 21 years old, and belly dance helped me get back on my feet again. I use accommodations for myself whenever I'm in pain, and I make sure to provide accommodations as much as possible. I always encourage participants to share any concerns with me so I can support them. And it's important to go at whatever pace works best for your individual body.
*Please note: I am not a doctor or a physical therapist, so please make sure to check in with a specialist before you decide to join if you have concerns beyond minor aches and pains.
Do I need any special attire or equipment?
Nope! All you need is a bottle of water to stay hydrated and a yoga mat for comfort if you want. You'll want to make sure you have enough space for movement. For some, that may be your living room or yard, and for others, that may be a small corner of your bedroom. Find the place that works best for you!
But what do I wear?
Everyone imagines that you have to have your stomach showing, and that you have to wear some fancy outfit to belly dance. I usually just wear traditional loose-fitting dresses or yoga pants and a tank top, and I encourage all participants to wear whatever feels comfortable on your body! I will be wearing yoga pants for the teaching aspects of the program so you can see the movement better. I also love using a hip scarf to help with isolation, but you don't need it in order to participate.
I've never danced before and I have no rhythm. Will I be able to keep up?
My belly dance workshops are about discovering and enhancing your natural rhythm, flow, and sensuality. This is a course that gives you the foundation you need in order to find that rhythm. I always encourage you to stretch your comfort zone — no matter how advanced you may be — so you can become a more bold, confident, and empowered version of yourself!
I'm pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Can I still participate?
Absolutely! Belly dance helped me heal physically and emotionally after six pregnancies, including three miscarriages. It's used in different parts of the world to assist with birth and recovery, and it's a powerful way to reconnect with your changing body. Because each participant is encouraged to go at their own pace, you'll discover movements and practices that feel good to you. That being said, it's important to prioritize guidance and recommendations from your midwife or obstetrician.
So it's just this program and then it's over? What if I'm looking for lasting change?
The best part about having a self-paced program is that you can revisit the lessons whenever you want! A lot of them are designed to become regular practices to help build strength and agility over time. The goal of this course is to help you build healthy habits that are easy to implement during and outside of the program. If you love what you get in this program, I encourage you to join one of my life online or in-person programs to deepen your experience. And if you love the flexibility you find here, make sure to stay connected so you can be the first to know when I put out new, more advanced programs!
I'd love to join, but I don't have money to spend on something like this! Do you teach any free classes or programs?
I do have older mini-lessons on my YouTube page, so feel free to subscribe here! It's not the same as getting that direct support with the full break down and Q & A, but it's a start. It can be so hard to justify investing time and money on yourself sometimes. I completely understand! I have to remind myself regularly that my emotional and physical health are worth it. I've found that when you take the step to invest in yourself, you're so much more likely to show up and get the most out of it. If there's something inside you that's calling you to sign up, take the leap! Your life and well-being truly are worth it. Otherwise, I hope we can stay connected and belly dance together one day soon!
Are you ready to join?
Program Features:
- In-depth lessons—a break-down of each move, along with simple exercises you can do on the go
- The convenience of accessing the program from the comfort of your home, at your own pace
- A variety of belly dance music playlists that you can store and use to practice on your own
- The opportunity to interact with other participants and ask me any questions about the movement, music, or overall lessons
- *BONUS CLASS* - Register now and access an additional 3-part hour and a half class replay, with additional tips, new moves, and a fun shimmy routine!
One-Time Payment for Lifetime Access!
Access details will be provided once you register. Still have questions? Contact Nurjahan at info@nurjahanboulden.com