After a lifetime of enjoying middle eastern music and admiring bellydancers from afar, I finally got up the courage to give it a try myself as part of my new years resolutions for 2012. I went to a couple different classes from different teachers in the city, one of which was Asia's Saturday class at City Dance. Although I mostly flailed around that first class, I was really moved by the power of dancing to live music and the grace that the other, more experienced dancers showed. Serendipitously, Asia was starting up her beginning bellydance class at Ocean Yoga in Pacifica on Wednesdays that very week. I have been going to one or both of these classes every week for the past 9 months and couldn't be happier. If I had to describe Asia's teaching style in one word, it would be "well-rounded." For starters, Asia is a literal treasure-trove of knowledge about middle eastern dances. She shows us many different moves and routines from traditional cultural dances and often talks a little bit about the history of them. I enjoy her classes specifically because she provides a firm foundation like this, but then shows us ways to draw from these different traditions to make new routines and styles. Her knowledge and passion extends well beyond just the dancing, though. She has a strong musical background (also her husband is one of the Saturday class drummers) and often talks about how to interpret the music and connect it with the movements and pattern of the dance. She highly encourages us to work with zils--even when we hate it--specifically so that we are more connected to the music. I have ZERO musical background and have learned so much about understanding rhythms and parts of a song from this alone. She also has many hilarious stories from her personal history as a professional dancer. I've seen many people come and go from the class, likely because they are intimidated by the work and commitment it takes to really get good (Ive been doing weekly classes for nine months and im still discovering new muscle groups in my hips and low back). But if you are committed to learning the dance, or even if all you want to do is come out and have fun and flail around to live music and learn a little bit about the art of another culture, then Asia's classes are the place to be. read more

True beginner class by a real Pro! Authentic dance moves taught and refined each week. Demonstrations of various styles (tribal & caberet) and regional differences explained. Awesome workout read more

I have been studying with Asia for several months and I LOVE her classes. Asia is so knowledgeable about all aspects of belly dance and middle east dance and music. Her Saturday class is so great because there are live drummers that really get you going. She has us practice with veil and zills, making sure we're well rounded dancers. And then some classes she will introduce us to other types of dance, like Saudi and Moroccan. Her classes are the highlights of my week!!! Asia is a beautiful dancer and beautiful person. Highly recommend her as a teacher and performer. read more

Taken from my post at City Dance Studios where Asia teaches a class on Saturdays at 1pm. Went to city dance for the 1pm belly dance class on Saturdays with Asia. It was pretty awesome! They had live drummers!!!!!! I've been taking belly dance for three years and I've never worked with live drummers before. It was awesome to have feedback on your movements instantly. Asia's style was very lead and follow, and if you didn't get something then she'd break it down. Her style is egyptian and folkloric, and she studied with a protoge of Tahia Carioca, which is even more awesome. I am planning on making this a regular weekly stop! read more

I joined Yelp so I could let you all know how much I love Asia's Arabesque dance classes. Asia is the real deal - a lovely professional dancer with an exciting performance presence and dance instruction that will foster immediate improvements in technique, style, and stamina. After many years of ATS training, Asia's Saturday class at City Dance was the perfect way for me to start including real internal, Eastern movement & feeling into my dance, while also improving Western aspects such as arms & footwork. Saturday's mixed level class is really special - there is LIVE DRUMMING & MUSIC!!! In the city! Every week! Easy friendly pro studio! Free parking! Yay!!! Great warmup, then prepare to sweat as isolations give way to a full repertoire of great combos to choose from. Occasional veil & zills practice. Performance & stage presence, learning to work with musicians and real ME rhythms, performance opportunities. Universal, high quality training in the AmCab oriental and folkloric styles. The group is super welcoming and Asia is amazingly adept at coaching beginners and advanced groups simultaneously. Noobs succeed and are comfortable, while pros get a serious and satisfying "fundamentals" practice. read more

It's a GEM of a Belly Dance class! Live Drummers drive the beat. She's is one of the few REALLY experienced AND well rounded Belly Dance instructor/performer/artists around. She's innovative with a gift for choreograpy . Just the right ingredients: Fresh and Edgy while keeping with the traditional and folkloric. Awesome! gg read more

I have been taking belly dance from Asia for only five months, and already the class has made a huge difference in my dancing. I was a little worried since I am a tribal dancer, and Asia teaches mainly Egyptian style dance, but I've found her totally accessible and I'm learning a ton. In addition to Egyptian, she also introduces us to Saudi, Lebanese, and Moroccan steps. She's so knowledgeable! She can tell you anything about a region of belly dance, and she always gives you some historical background on the steps. She even brings in costume pieces that are particular to the dances we're learning. My skill with finger cymbals has increased dramatically from attending Asia's classes - she doesn't only do the basic 3 like so many other classes, but she works on all different patterns like 3-3-7-3-7-3, 3-1-3-5, etc. I'm learning so much about music and rhythm from her. Best of all, there is live music at the Saturday class - up to 6 musicians show up and drum for us, and Asia only needs to say, "Can I have a beledi, please?" Where else do you get to dance to live musicians?? Asia's warmup is great - my body has all kinds of issues, but it opens right up in Asia's class. My joints never hurt after her class, and I always get a great blood-pumping warmup prior to our drills - it's the best workout I get from a teacher all week! She uses a mic, so you can hear her over the drums, which is very considerate. If you've had at least a tiny bit of belly dance or any other kind of dance, you will do well in Asia's class. Asia is the only dance teacher I've ever met who is skilled in teaching multiple levels at the same time. She gives a drill to the more advanced folks, and while we're working it out, she helps the newer folks understand the basics. What I love about Asia's class is that she doesn't talk the step to death. She clearly demonstrates at 1/2 or 1/4 time the step we're doing, drills us, speeds it up to full time, and then offers plenty of explanation if it's clear that we need it. She lets the body figure it out before taxing the brain, which I think is an excellent strategy. Take this class! You won't regret it!! read more

I read in another review, Asia is the real deal and she IS! I took lessons many years ago but didn't stick it out. My sister did and had a fabulous time with Asia as a teacher. Last night she performed at my son's wedding reception and Wow! We're still all talking about Asia and her snakes and the wedding dance this morning. I've posted videos on my FB page and people love them. She is more than entertaining, she brings life energy when she dances. I've seen her many times and each time love her performances. Highly recommend Asia and she's been in this professional for quite some time but never seems to age!!! What's up with that???!!!???!! read more

Asia is a fabulous teacher - for all levels, ages, and body types. Most of her classes are currently in Pacifica, just off Highway One, at Ocean Yoga Studio - some with recorded music, and some with live drums. The San Francisco space on Saturdays is wonderful. Arabesque is a vibrant community of supportive women who love to dance, and there are classes available several nights per week. Asia's primary style is Egyptian Cabaret, with very isolated, sharp hip work that is her signature. She also brings us flavors from North Africa, Tunisia, Lebanon, and other folkloric traditions. She has studied under the best, and carries much of the oral history you won't find elsewhere. Asia teaches zills, veil, pot, and sword balancing as well as the regular class fare. She also allows drop-ins in most of your classes for the commitment-phobic, so come and try a few of her classes! read more

This is a long 1.5 class(1:30-3pm) with live music. Not only it is fun, it is a great work out! Asia is a great teacher because she can break down any belly dance move (of which she knows many) and teach you step by step, if you are new. At the same time, she can and will challenge you to perfection. In this class there is a mixture of levels, so you will feel challenged no matter where you are in belly dancing. This is a great way to spend your Saturday afternoon. And even if you are out on the date!! Just bring your date with you with a drum or other percussion instrument. read more