Body as Compass: A Belly Dance & Therapeutic Arts Workshop
About this Event
You’re invited into the Rhythmic Healing space of Belly Dance which is rooted in SWANA cultural movement traditions, guided by listening to the music, moving together, and reconnecting with the body as a source of wisdom.
From the space of somatic connection, you’ll then be invited into a guided experiential art making process, where your body can further express itself through colour, symbol & form. No art making experience is necessary as the Therapeutic Arts framework focuses on the process and not the end result. Just as the Belly dance here is offered as a tool for release, emotional expression, and embodied self-trust, not something to perfect or perform. Allow dance and art making to privilege the senses!
Therapeutic arts offer a language beyond words, a space where emotions and thoughts find form in symbols, movements and images. They open a way into life's challenges and dreams, and are especially alive in moments of change, or when you're reaching toward clarity and a sense of wellbeing.
SWANA Community
We would like to acknowledge the collective grief that the SWANA community is experiencing at this moment as well as the experience of grief and loss of the generations that have come before us. We welcome all those who would like to come together in community and express and move these emotions, spoken and unspoken, that sit deep inside our experience.
What to expect?
Intuitive, guided movement inspired by belly dance traditions
Music-led exploration, letting rhythm lead the body
Experiential art therapy processes guided in tenderness & compassion
Trauma-aware facilitation with choice, consent, and adjustment
Emotional and physical release in a non-judgmental space
A small, supportive community moving together. You are always welcome to rest, modify, observe, or move and make art in your own way.
Who this is for?
This space is open to all genders, bodies, cultures, ages, abilities, sexualities, and identities.This is an inclusive space, guided with care and respect for lived experience.
*No prior dance, or art making experience is needed.
What to bring?
🔹 Yoga mat (Please don't forget to bring your mat)
🔹 Water bottle
🔹 Hip scarf (optional)
🔹 Dance-friendly clothing
🔹Journal & pen
Considerations
Please note that while this workshop values lived experience and self-expression, it is offered as personal exploration and not as therapy.
If the full price isn’t possible but you’d love to join, a Concession / Pay-What-You-Can Ticket: a lower price or promo code can be offered upon request. For more information, please email: [email protected]
Your Facilitators
Marlène “Marz” Habib (She/Her) is a Naarm based Creative Arts Therapist dedicated to trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. As a queer, Lebanese, cis woman she brings an intersectional perspective & lived experience to her facilitation.
Marz has completed the Master in Therapeutic Arts Practice and has a background in visual arts photography and mindfulness meditation. She has worked in diverse settings including schools for neurodiverse students, family violence organisations, and alongside Indigenous communities.
At the heart of her work is a commitment to inclusive practice; one that recognises healing as shaped by culture, relationships, communities; and often affected by the wider systems we inhabit.
Rowa : Rowa (She/Her) Trauma-Informed Belly Dance and Yoga Teacher. Born and raised in the heart of the Middle East, surrounded by musical rhythms and the joy of dance, Rowa is a Naarm-based dance and wellness movement teacher and a professional performance artist. With over 6 years of dedicated study and practice, Rowa has honed her craft in yoga and dance, specializing in trauma-informed techniques that empower individuals to heal through movement.
Rowa has studied traditional Raqs Sharqi (Egyptian and Oriental Dance), drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Her teaching and performances celebrate the beauty and depth of these traditional dances, blending them with modern approaches to wellness.
Since beginning her yoga teaching journey in 2018, Rowa has developed a unique approach that integrates belly dance, yoga, and movement medicine. Her classes are designed to stretch and strengthen the body, release tension, restore balance, and foster a deeper connection to breath and inner consciousness. With a passion for helping others, Rowa uses movement as a transformative tool to unlock, unwind, and renew, allowing her students to reconnect with themselves and heal through the power of dance and mindfulness.
She shares her love for dance and wellness with diverse communities. Her work is not just about movement but also about creating a safe space for self-expression, growth, and healing.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 59.54 to AUD 107.19
