Current Class Offerings

Raqs Sharqi Technique with Tarifa at Alegria Dance Studio

Wednesdays 1pm starting July 2, 2025

Learn the beautiful art of traditional Near East dance, develop an appreciation for the culture from where it comes and become familiar with regional nuances of the folkloric style. Classes include center floor warm-up, isolation drills, travel steps and axial movements characteristic of Near East Dance (also known as Belly Dance). Tarifa’s objectives for students are for to develop strength, clarity and flow in their dancing.

  • Ongoing Classes for all levels

  • To Sign up at the link below. https://alegriadance.punchpass.com/classes/17551002

  • Please wear appropriate dance attire, including hip scarf, belt or practice skirt. Bring finger cymbals and veils to each class if you have them.

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

“Mind/Body Movememt Lab”

(Not presently offered)

This class is for everyone, regardless of fitness level who wants 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 daily activities. Benefits of participating are increased functional fitness, enhanced quality of life and improvement in the skill related components of fitness that reduce risk of falling and prevent injury. Gentle Stretching, Chair Yoga techniques, principles of “Constructive Rest” developed by the late Dr. Andre Bernard, one of Tarifa’s inspiring professors during her graduate studies at NYU, are all employed in this class.

  • Single Class Fee: $10

  • Send Payment via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY) , 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. Location: 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210.

  • *No-Refund Policy is in place.

Online Private Study by appointment

Connect with Tarifa online and schedule individual private study

  • Fee: $45 for individual private study

  • Payment to be remitted via PayPal FRIENDS AND FAMILY 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 connect with Tarifa to get class link so that you can accept the call invite when it goes out at the scheduled time.

  • Platforms used are Microsoft Teams and Zoom

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

“SilverSneakers Classic” at the Lourie Center SC

Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 am Starting June 10, 2025

SilverSneakers Classic is perfect for the individual brand new to exercise but is also very appropriate for anyone wanting to improve their muscular strength, endurance and flexibility as well as improve mobility through activities designed for daily living. By increasing functional movement efficiency through participating in this class, students will have a decreased risk of falling and experience an increased sense of well being. Tools used in this class are hand held weights, elastic tubing, balls and chairs. Your SilverSneakers Membership is all you need to join these ongoing classes. Check in at the front desk upon arrival and you’ll be directed to our SilverSneakers class.

Adult Low Impact Ballet at the Lourie Center SC

Wednesdays 11am starting April 2 - June 25, 2025

This fun and friendly class will introduce you to basic ballet technique through the execution of fundamental vocabulary including but not limited to barre, adagio and travel steps. Proper alignment and placement will be emphasized. Benefits of this class are increased muscular strength, flexibility and endurance as well as improved balance, coordination and cognitive skills! Adaptive techniques for older adults will be applied. This is a “LOW IMPACT” class suitable for all levels.

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. Students should include a preference of day and time, level of dance experience, content preferences (if any) and phone number so that confirmations can be sent via text when requesting an appointment.

  • Private study Fee: $60 ($200 for 4 class series)

  • Semi-Private Fee: $80 (2 students)

  • Choreography Commissions: $300 (includes 3 scheduled sessions to learn choreography)

  • Payment to be remitted before scheduled class via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS & FAMILY PLEASE), Zelle, Cash App ($tarfasalem)

  • NO REFUND POLICY IN PLACE

  • Classes are at 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia SC 29210.

“Raq It Off”

(Not presently offered)

This is a Raqs Sharqi 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 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. Students will enjoy a final cool-down and relaxing stretch & breathe segment at the end of each class. This class is suitable for all levels. Modifications for intensity are always introduced to accommodate personal physical limitations.

  • Single Class Fee: $10

  • Send Payment via PayPal at https://paypal.me/tarifasalem (FRIENDS AND FAMILY) , 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. Location: 800 Betsy Dr. Columbia, SC 29210.

  • *No-Refund Policy is in place.