Current Class Offerings

Raqs Sharqi Winter Session Features Tarifa’s “Veil Fantasy” Choreo.

Wednesday 6 pm starting January 8, 2025

Learn the beautiful dances of the Near East, develop an appreciation for the culture from where these dances came and become familiar with regional nuances of each style. Classes include center floor warm-up, isolation drills and alignment work. It then progresses to guidance in executing travel steps and axial vocabulary characteristic in traditional style of Near East dance with strength, clarity and flow. Finally students will learn sequences that apply class content. Content will vary each 6 week session depending on featured choreography.

  • 6 Week Session Fee: $60

  • Payment to be remitted via PayPal https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE) , Zelle to tarifasalem@gmail.com, Cash App ($tarfasalem) OR cash/check to Donna Smith

  • Please wear dance attire, including hip scarf and bring veil to every class for this session.

  • Where: 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

“Mind/Body Movememt Lab”

Wednesdays 7:15 - 8 pm

This class to adults of any fitness level with or without physical challenges who want to be more kinesthetically aware of how the body moves through various planes with regard to centeredness and movement efficiency. Exercises to develop strength, stability, balance and range of motion are employed. Breathing and relaxation exercises help participants release tension and gives them a sense of well-being while going about their daily activities. Objectives are to increase functional fitness, enhance quality of life and to develop skill related components of fitness that may reduce risk of falling or injuries in general. Along with Gentle Stretching and Chair Yoga techniques, Tarifa employs principles of “Constructive Rest” developed by the late Dr.Andre Bernard, one of her inspiring professors during her graduate studies at NYU. The technique utilizes mental imagery and tactile aid to help release tension in various muscle groups.

  • Class Fee: $10

  • Send Payment 24 hours prior to class via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE) , Zelle using tarifasalem@gmail.com, or Cash App (to $tarfasalem)

  • Students should dress in comfortable, fitness/dance attire. Shoes are optional. Bring a mat if you have one. Classes are held at 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210.

  • *No-Refund Policy is in place.

Online Private Study

Connect with Tarifa on the Skype platform before signing up to insure your Skype account is active. You can schedule individual private study or a private study session for your group of at least 5 in which you would need to gather your dancers at one location. The call will only go out to one contact who is connected with Tarifa on Skype. Tarifa’s Skype profile name is live:tarifasalem.

  • Fee: $45 for individual private study

  • Private Group Fee: $10 per person for a private group of at least 5 students.

  • Payment to be remitted via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem ,Zelle (tarifasalem@gmail.com) or Cash App ($tarfasalem) at least 24 hours before the start of class. After signing up, please accept the call invite which will be sent to you. Video call will go out promptly at the scheduled time.

  • Skype is very user friendly but it requires frequent updates. Please update your Skype app before class.

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

*Recommendation: Have Skype App open on class chat page 10 minutes before scheduled call so you don’t miss it. Test video and audio before the call goes out for each class.

Jazz/Lyrical Dance

(Not presently offered)

Take your dancing to a new level, Tarifa invites you to enroll in her Lyrical/Jazz Dance Class which will focus on technique, line, flow and overall strength in executing the beautiful lyrical and dynamic jazz vocabulary characteristic in her style. This class is suitable for all levels.

  • Single Class Fee: $15

  • 6 Week Session Fee: $60

  • Payment to be remitted via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE) , Zelle using tarifasalem@gmail.com, Cash App ($tarfasalem) OR… cash/check to Donna Smith

  • Students should dress in appropriate dance/movement attire, (tights, leggings, form fitting top).

  • Where: 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

Private Study with Tarifa

In Person Private Study

All private classes are 1 hour sessions by appointment only. They can be scheduled by sending a message on our Contact page or just email me at tarifasalem@gmail.com. Students should include a preference of day and time, level of dance experience, content preferences (if any) and phone number for so that confirmations can be sent via text when requesting an appointment.

  • Private study Fee: $60

  • Semi-Private Fee: $80

  • Payment must be remitted 1 week before scheduled class via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS & FAMILY PLEASE), Zelle, Cash App ($tarfasalem) or you can send a check to “Donna Smith” at the address listed below.

  • Last minute cancellations will result in the loss of 50% of the fee.

  • Private study classes are held at Tarifa’s private space at 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia SC.

*Recommendation: Have Skype App open on class chat page 10 minutes before scheduled call so you don’t miss it. Test video and audio before the call goes out for each class.

“Raq It Off”

(Not presently offered)

This is a bellydance fitness class that addresses all “Health Related Components of Fitness” (cardiovascular, muscular strength and flexibility) as well as “Skill Related Components” (agility, balance and coordination) through repetitive drilling of Tarifa’s favorite movement sequences. Warm up employs repetitive low impact movement routines that utilize the large muscle groups of the body. Tarifa will then guide participants through exercises that focus on stability muscles (abdominals, gluteals, chest, back, shoulders). The use of dumbbells and resistance bands will be implemented to apply the Overload Principle. Class ends with a cool-down and a relaxing stretch & breathe segment to eastern meditative music. This class is suitable for all levels. Modifications for intensity are always introduced to accommodate personal physical limitations.

  • Single Class Fee: $15

  • Send Payment via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE) , Zelle using tarifasalem@gmail.com, or Cash App (to $tarfasalem)

  • Students should dress in appropriate fitness/dance attire and wear athletic sneakers. Bring a mat if you have one. A hip scarf may be worn also. Classes are held at 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210.

  • *No-Refund Policy is in place.