I really got the difference between getting a movement and feeling a movement. There's so much more to feel!

- Colleen Paul, Open Tribe guest

In a sacred space, where feelings of joy, mirth, sorrow, anger, and passion are spoken in a fellowship of rhythm and movement, Oyna Tribe is manna for the dancer’s soul. It is the breath of life that is often missing from the study of modern belly dance. It nurtures our musical core, igniting the spark of self-expression that brings wisdom and beauty to dance. Each two-hour class is a journey in sisterhood and self-discovery. After my first session, I feel like I’ve finally “come home” in dance.

- Lynda Nordquist

As I reflect on what has changed for me over the past five months, I feel glad that I made the decision to to join. Oyna Tribe has been an experience of transformation for me, as a dancer, and as a woman. I feel this experience has given me room to breathe inside myself, helped me develop an acceptance of what my body is and isn't, what it can and cannot yet do, and allowed me to develop an affection for my body that I never had before. Loving and breathing comfortably in my body has had a reverberating effect on my mental state, allowing me to view everything in my life in a more positive and loving way.

The effect that the Tribe has had on my zill-playing has been enormous. I have several timesense discrepancies, which I have been working for many years to overcome. The first time we played our zills in Tribe was nerve-wracking. I feared letting people hear me play, because I knew that I struggled with keeping time. I learned in that first day that no one was going to tell me how awful I sounded, and if I made a mistake, it was an okay part of the learning process. I just needed to find the pulse again. I know I can find the pulse in every song, and come back to it whenever I get lost.

I'm able to vary the sound of my zills much more, and play faster in time than I could before Tribe. I'm not afraid of joining live musicians in playing, anymore, either. Playing zills has even become a point of connection with my 13-year-old son. We have this way of communicative playing now, that we didn't have before. I play zills, and he either does beat boxing or drumming with me. It's always spontaneous, silly and fun.

Tribe has also helped me become more aware of what I'm seeing when I watch other women dance. I have learned to see more of how the skeletal structure and musculature work together to make movement happen. This understanding gives me much more appreciation for the dance of others than I formerly had, and I now love watching others dance.

Finally, Oyna Tribe has allowed me to connect with a group of women, and allows us all to open up, learn, express ourselves and receive the expressions of others in a loving and safe environment. Tribe offers a weekly sanctuary of time and space to care for myself. Whatever I need to express, I'm free to express. Whatever I need to receive, I somehow always find. I'm so grateful for all the effects of Tribe in my life.

- Heather Hamilton

I am so grateful for being a part of the Tribe and accessing my "inner dancer" AT LAST! It is a gift that has enriched my life beyond words!

- Kate Solisti

I feel that accessing the authentic dancer in me has become more innate. I have become more connected to the movements, resulting in more conscientious care of my body; and I have gained confidence - not only in my personal movements, but also connecting with others through movement.

This class is a playful intricate sacred simple and profound space. This form of improvisational dance allows all of my wild messy exuberant self to be present. My sense of my body being my home and my temple is deepening.

— Georgia Rose Park

Such a supreme feeling of safety and support; I have been able to do a great deal of healing. The pursuit of softness and relaxation, and allowing myself to be cared for and to be totally true to myself under all circumstances are some of the most prominent and important lessons.

— Meagan Chandler

I feel like I am learning things without even knowing what they are.

— Lyn Gregory

This class gives me permission to dance and move unjudged. It feeds my soul, and I didn't even know it needed feeding. Movement, music and song not only let out things inside that have no better way to get out, they restore me and build me up to face life.

— Christa Isenhart

This class really taught me how to dance from the inside out, instead of being so focused on the perfection of movement. The movements are there, of course, but the focus has been so much more than that.

— Kelly Hill

Dancing with our eyes closed for so long was great. At one point, I started going through all the moves we've learned, like a kid going through his A-B-C's. A lot of times I can't even remember what we did last week - and it was all right there. It was so cool!

— Georgia Rose Park

Poem for my Tribe, My Women by Meagan Chandler

You were my first belly dance teacher [in the mid-1980's] and I have many fond memories of our classes. I especially liked the energy work and still use your visualizations, isolations and awareness techniques. I hope your students appreciate you, they are so lucky to have your respectful, compassionate guidance. Your instruction has taught me to focus and listen, as well as to have respect for my body and how it moves in relation to space. I hope for the honor to study with you again.

— Pamela Gardner, Austin

You made a profound difference in my life. You brought many blessings of joy, passion, playfulness, meditation, spirit and love together in your dance classes [in the mid-1990's]. I am grateful for your beautiful contributions to my inner life and dance life.

—David Mabelle, New Zealand