Nava Dance- Technique level 1

Nava Dance is a contemporary and holistic dance practice developed by Miriam Peretz. Nava Dance draws deep inspiration from Silk Road (Persian & Central Asian) themes and movement aesthetics, as well as from the devotional practice of whirling. Each Nava Dance class incorporates Miriam’s signature ritualized warm ups, sequences in the Nava style, as well as the study of traditional Central Asian movements coming from; Persian, Tajik, Uzbek and Afghan dance. In this particular course, Level #1, Nava Dance the focus of combinations will be on various Persian themes in dance, however there are separate courses (continuously) being added that focus on other Central Asian dance styles.

Class always begins with a set of movement rituals aimed at preparing the mind, body and heart for an integrated dance experience. Each session incorporates intensive contemporary inspired warm-ups focusing on spirals in the body, fluidity in the spine, contract/release, and getting the blood flowing. These sequences are Miriam's signature "warm up dances," which many of her students regard as the highlight of classes. Classes also integrate numerous styles of dynamic turns essential to all Central Asian dance forms. Drawing on her background as a percussionist, musicality is also a core component to Miriam’s teaching style.

Building sisterhood is at the heart of the Nava Dance philosophy and classes are structured to foster a strong sense of community and supportive nurturing energy amongst students. Each class is a journey through the physical, spiritual and emotional realms of being, and a call to open our hearts to one another and to the universe.

Nava is a beautiful example of a word shared by the Hebrew, Farsi, and Turkish languages. In Farsi and Turkish Nava means sound or tune. It is also the name of one the main Dastgah (musical modes) in the Persian and Turkish music traditions. In the Hebrew language, Nava means pleasant, graceful, beautiful and is a common girls’ name. Also, in Hindi, Nava means young or new.

"In training with Miriam, I not only gain skill and strength--I heal. I nourish my heart and I broaden my family of dance sisters." -Ronnie Brodsky

Nava Dance online school offers students around the world an opportunity to take part in Miriam's unique dance offerings. In this yearlong course, there are twelve total classes (one per month.) The general focus of the course is on Miriam's signature format, Nava Dance and does not focus on traditional Central Asian forms. Each month's lesson is broken down into short sequences that focus on various themes. Each sequence is first broken down slowly, with detailed instruction and then danced full speed with music. The curriculum includes- Opening circle intentions and warm ups, Miriam's signature "warm up dances," technique for Central Asian arms, short combinations and phrases. Combinations will range from more neo-classical Persian dance, to more contemporary and expressive forms. There is also significant focus on musicality, understanding various rhythms and Persian music theory. Also integral to each class is focus on the art of turning. Each month new material will be shared, as a new "class," however all previous classes will still be available in one's archive as long as a student remains enrolled . If a student chooses to cancel a subscription and restart at a later date, unfortunately the school will start again from the beginning. If a student has a very busy month, and isn't able to get to the new class material, they don't need to worry because that material remains in the archive and one can always go back to it at another point.

*Also please note that once you cancel your subscription you will no longer have access to the classes.

*It is the students responsibility to cancel membership through the web site. After 12 months the classes do not automatically end, but continue to be accessed until a student cancels their membership.