Yoga and Belly Dance: An Intro

Makya demonstrating flexibility at the hafla!

The five pillars of the Bright Eyes Belly Dance Academy are Technique, Strength, Flexibility, Musicality, and Creativity.

This is how I incorporate the first three pillars into our weekly life.

Every Monday and Tuesday at 6:10, I offer intermediate and beginning belly dance technique.

Daniel and the Academy after a workout at the studio

Since April 2025, we've been working out quarterly with Daniel Coll and RYS Warrior Fitness to focus on strength.

In December, I added yoga with Sikorski Flow Yoga (SiFY) and my yoga teacher training cohort for flexibility.

Our first goal is to prepare the dancers for floorwork in a choreography for the Upstate Renaissance Faire in September and to increase overall flexibility to help us all lead a more delightful life.

Dancer/teacher/performer Haethra Mhari in mermaid pose

Our second goal, as a cohort, is to become better yoga teachers through practical experience and planning.

This is how we've structured the yoga based on peak poses. In the next few blog posts, I will give the yoga flow for each.

• December (3 weeks)

  • Peak pose: reverse plank with twist, shimmy, or undulation

  • foci: wrists, core strength, shoulder mobility

• January-February

  • Week 1: Welcome back and wake up from the holidays

  • Week 2: Mermaid

  • Week 3: Camel

  • Week 4-5: Full hero

  • Week 6-7: Standing poses and transitions to the floor

  • Week 8: Dancer

    
    

In March, we'll add balancing items on our head and choreography. This is also the graduation month for our YTT cohort!

Mandi, Charlie, and Amy: YTT 200 2026!

Of course, with every pose, we offer variations to accommodate ailments and abilities. The goal is growth.

Currently, Yoga for Floorwork runs Wednesdays 7pm to 8ish at 114 W. Poinsett St. (Second Floor. Parking and entrance are on Few St.)

Bring a mat, block, strap, water bottle, and dancer knee pads.

Yoga Teacher Training 200 and 300 are in the works for 2026-2027!