Bring this fun program of drumming & dance to your troop!

CONTACT TAHYA TODAY!
 

NOTE: Tahya was among the presenters at the 12th Annual GSEP Young Women's Leadership Conference, March 13, 2010 in Media, PA and the GSEP Spring 2011 Retreat @ Camp Laughing Waters

Learn to "Walk like an Egyptian" ~ Dance like a Gypsy  ~ 

~ Pose like a Persian Princess ~

Julia, age 10 ~ May 2011

Thank you for offering workshops at our Young Women's Leadership Conference. 
I could see the girls stand straighter and gain confidence with each movement.

- Linda Delenick, Program Manager, 

 

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

 

March 2010

Location: Your troop's meeting place

Times Offered: Flexible ~ days, evenings, weekends

Max: 40 person maximum ~ e.g. 20 girls plus leaders and mothers/grandmothers welcome!

Cost:  approx. $9/pp, plus travel where applicable (outside 20 mi. radius). Please note my minimum compensation is $108 even if there are less than 12 participants with a $50 deposit to secure the date.

Preferrably, please schedule 6-8 weeks in advance

Questions: CONTACT TAHYA TODAY! (or call 610-776-7045)

Historically this dance has been a part of women's heritage for thousands of years and the Tahya program typically begins with a brief overview of the history of the dance including a bibliography handout for the scouts to take home. When relaying this brief history I underscore the fact that this dance is deeply steeped in our heritage as women, and these movements have been handed down from generation to generation. Participants are then introduced to one of the more popular rhythm patterns and are invited to step and clap along with live percussion accompaniment (optional, additional fee). Finally, everyone learns hip lifts and graceful hand and arm movements, and, if time permits, we finish with the ever popular shimmy!

This program is applicable, for example, to several Brownie, Junior, Cadet and Senior badges; however, badge or no, this is a fun activity for your troop. Furthermore, leaders are encouaged to extend an invitation to the scouts' mothers, sisters, and grandmothers. Their participation expands this to a beautiful and fun inter-generational family affair!

Partner with neighboring troops!

Join Tahya for a fun, educational and stimulating class! Learn a basic belly dance step and the history of a dance deeply steeped in women's heritage. Discover the prominent role of women in ancient Egyptian ceremony. Delve into the use of percussion instruments in ancient civilizations & co-create a processional incorporating rhythm instruments and movements inspired by artifacts from antiquity. Bringing ancient civilizations to life, this program includes a mini-lecture plus participatory component for girls and troop leaders. Participants will learn to re-create a processional for future ceremony and develop ability to share this information with others. Rhythm instruments provided. Take-home handouts included!

Junior Troop 568 with Tahya, April 2007:

Brownie & Junior Troops with Tahya, May 2007

Are you interested in this program applying toward a badge? For example, when considering Invitation to the Dance, the program may include an introduction to mudra (hand gestures) from Classical South Indian (Bharta Natyam) dance along with a beautiful invocation to the dance known as the "Golden Rule."

For something additionally unique, consider henna "tattoos" (just above the ankle or perhaps on one's shoulder) ~ The history of henna tattoos also dates back thousands of years. Cultures from Africa to the Arab world to South Asia have embraced the art of henna body decoration-for fashion and beauty, for personal expression, for social and religious occasions, for healing purposes and more. In recent years global travel and migration, increased communication and cultural sharing has brought henna to many parts of the West, mingling traditional practices with new interpretations and uses. Since the mid-1990s henna body art has enjoyed a vogue throughout the U.S., Europe, and the world.

Henna body art is a (way cool!) all natural, temporary, painless, and safe for all skin types - a unique way to decorate your personality, spirit, and body. Henna derives from a plant, whose leaves are dried and crushed to make a powder with natural dying properties. The application of henna creates beautiful designs that temporarily stain the skin a reddish-brown that often develops into a rich brown color and lasts one to three weeks, depending on the care the dyed skin receives.

From the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt to modern-day wedding parties, henna has enjoyed a variety of applications and meanings throughout the centuries.