Hi everyone! My name is Hourya. I'm a dance instructor, a psychologist, and a Qi Gong enthusiast. "Dar Hourya" means "Hourya's home" - or simply "house" - in Algerian. This is my way of welcoming you into my world: a place where we move body and soul to reveal who we truly are.

French of Algerian origin, I grew up immersed in classical Arabic music alongside Algerian music and dance. I started taking dance classes at 20, in Lille (Northern France) - the same year I began studying Psychology. From that moment on, I embraced dance as a path of self-discovery. Starting to dance as an adult taught me something profound: the more I release tension from my body, the freer my mind becomes - and vice versa. Dance became my tool to activate joy, love, and freedom.

In 2006, I moved to Marseille and collaborated with Karine Ghalmi (2011-2016), a dancer and choreographer specialising in contemporary oriental dance. During that period, I deepened my practice through courses in contemporary dance, movement anatomy, and dance movement analysis with Véronique Larcher. I was also deeply moved by Elsa Wolliaston's approach and attended her workshops in Marseille and Paris. Over the years, I focused on Egyptian dance - a form where emotion is not just part of the dance, it is the dance. I had the joy of learning from Egyptian master teachers both abroad and in Cairo (Nada El Masriya, Dr Gamal Seif, Doaa Salam, Aziza, Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, and others). From 2016 to 2018, based in Toronto, I had the privilege of teaching at the Egyptian Dance Academy directed by Nada El Masriya.

Since 2016, I have been living abroad - six different countries in total. It was a choice. And at some point, I had to ask myself: What is home for me? What makes me feel at home? The answer was not a place. Home is what I have chosen to carry within me - through my body, throughout my journey: dance, psychology, and Qi Gong. These are the things that keep me aligned with who I am.

DAR HOURYA is an invitation to discover yourself in movement - to develop cultural and body awareness, and to dance from your feelings. Step by step, in my classes, you will feel connected. Dance will make your body and your emotions feel at home, through the art of Egyptian and Arab dance and music. You will gain a unique perspective on the beauty of Eastern and North African cultures and countries.

ABOUT hOURYA, A TEACHER WHO MOVES WITH INTENTION

EGYPTIAN DANCES

QI GONG

three arts, one intention

Practices that moves energy and emotions

A Chinese moving meditation synchronized with seasons that helps you circulate energies, detoxify your organs and gain balance in life (coming soon 2027).

Hourya is a trauma-informed licensed psychologist who offers somatic intervention and attachment focused psychotherapy for adults. The services are offered in French and in English. For more information, click the button.

An expressive art of undulations, hip work, isolations that reconnects you with the natural intelligence of your body and expression of your emotions.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

A private class helps you focus on your goals and achieve them more quickly.

I have 2 ways of working privately :

• RESTORE YOURSELF : Use dance, movement and breathing in a restorative way (individual session only) : One step at a time, restore a positive relation with your body after years of intense stress or trauma : reconcile with your femininity, work on your body image and build confidence from within (no video or recording allowed, no social media post).

• EGYPTIAN DANCE WITH AWARENESS : this is a private technical class tailored according to your goals if you are a dance student - all levels - or a dancer (recording of yourself allowed).

Classes and workshops

Weekly classes for adults- Tuesdays 20h - 22h

EGYPTIAN DANCE : Technic and choreo : Kaya Dudesti - Bucharest

Private dance class 60 to 90 min

Egyptian dance is an ancestral art form that celebrates the beauty of life and creation - the feminine and the masculine in harmony. In her classes, Hourya invites you to explore and embody the feminine essence of this dance.

Each class weaves together technique and rhythm, guiding you to improvise and shine through the foundational movements of oriental dance: figure-eight patterns (the symbol of infinity), shimmies, accents, circles, and undulations.

Beyond the joy of moving, this practice has real benefits for your wellbeing. It supports mental health and a positive body image, stimulates the digestive system, and nurtures the autonomic nervous system. Over time, you will also develop muscular tone, flexibility, and proprioception - your body's natural sense of position and movement in space.

Workshops on-demand 2 to 3h.

Connect your body and senses to Egyptian dance on classical Arabic music :

In this workshop, the participants are guided to connect their body and soul to a classical Arabic music through their senses :

• Discover the senses involved in dancing and develop your quality of movement in synch with the music.

• Discover the instruments involved in a musical composition and connect your dance with each of them.

• Connect to the musical culture of the Egypt and develop a better understanding of musicality as a dancer.

• Express what you have learned on a classical song.

Participants must have 1 year of practice minimum.

February 26 : invited to teach at Sundari school, Brasov, directed by Ana Maria MARGINEAN

October 25 : teaching at Oriental Heart Festival, Bucharest, directed by Rami FARES.

September 25 : teaching at Orental Autumn Delights, dance retreat, by Cerasela HEKMAN.

Dance connected to the land of Egypt :

Egyptian dances are very popular and successful. They are danced all over the world. You can easily find a dance class in your city, wherever you are. However, we are witnessing a disconnection between the body language and the land it comes from. This workshop is a proposition to enter the dance connected with the land it came from : from the contact of our feet with the floor to the movement of our hips.

I invite you to approach Egyptian dance the same way you approach a foreign language. It requires knowing the language and the mindset to express your ideas.

More than a stage dance as we usually think about in dance classes, it is a social dance, a women celebration, an expression of who you are. If you're a professional dancer, we will talk about the use of stage and the relation with your audience.

SHARED EXPERIENCES

”Soulful classes, beautiful energy to express and enhance yourself”

- Sorana

”Your workshop was a true reminder of the essence of oriental dance. Naturally, no overcomplicating anything, you guided us to feel the egyptian dance. I think every dancer and teacher here in Romania would deeply benefit from it. Thank you.”

- Ana Maria

”Your workshop was incredible for me. I really enjoyed attending it and learning from you about movement connections and muscle relaxation before dancing. You're a wonderful teacher. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.”

- Oksana

”Thank you for sharing with us so many beautiful things this weekend : your knowledge about the culture, the passion and respect for art, the joy of dance and a nice experience of combining in one workshop the depth and fun in dance. You're so inspiring.”

- Cerasela

”Thanks for sharing your joy and uplifting my day with your beautiful spirited dancing. I still have such fond memories of you as one of my very special teachers when you were in Toronto."

- Cate

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