The Ma*Shuqa method is nothing short of magic. Ma*Shuqa is the kind of dance instructor you wish for. When I started a little over a year ago, I had no dance experience but was curious and looking for something, although I wasn't sure what. I found a mentor and a whole community. Mashuqa's mentorship is comprehensive. She has experience and wisdom beyond measure, but she combines it with truly seeing the individual student. Her instruction, the Ma*Shuqa method, is ideal for beginners and professionals. Over the last year, I have begun appreciating how layers of well-researched ideas (complete with handouts) come together to provide experience-targeted understanding. I am proud to mention that I am her student in the dance community, and have often been told how lucky I am to live near enough to take classes from her. She regularly shares stories from her International travels to highlight learning concepts and brings out new music from her recently published reviews. In Ma*Shuqa's Diva Retreat (an annual event), I was privileged to study with two professional dancers, even though I had only been training for 5 months. This highlighted how Ma*Shuqa's method reaches across belly dance styles and speaks to the individual. Ma*Shuqa fosters an environment that is respectful, supportive, and fun but encourages growth and potential. The idea of ever dancing to live music was terrifying, but after instruction with Ma*Shuqa, I feel confident with movements and expressions beyond the limits of choreography. I also recognize the cultural depth of Belly dance, learning the unique techniques and styles related to different regions and musical signatures. This information is supported in class and with the Oasis Circle, a social event highlighting musicians, respected dance and cultural speakers, well-being, dance adornment, and camaraderie. My belly dance journey has been challenging, as I am not a naturally graceful person. But I look forward to my weekly sessions at Ma*Shuqa's Hidden Oasis dance studio and have never felt judged by her or other dancers. It feels like a redwood canopied sanctuary where I can ignore the busyness of my life to focus on myself and my personal growth. Evolving from a beginner to a performance-ready dancer has been a guided journey complete with costume selection and descriptions, sewing suggestions, makeup tips, more safety pins and costume tape than I ever imagined, and the perfect amount of encouragement to keep me on my growing edge. I have also seen Ma*Shuqa backstage helping other dancers with safety pins, costume adjustments, and pep talks in a way that supports and values each person in their dance journey. The uniqueness of the individual is important in Ma*Shuqa's method, as personal style, movement vocabulary, musicality, deep rhythm and lyrical understanding combine into highly competent improvisational expression. And there is the added benefit by chronicling your journey because the video and pictures by Carl Sermon Photography are available at most performances. While my performance pictures look great, I got guidance on improving my professional photos with Ma*Shuqa's guidance at a workshop she and Carl put on together. If you are curious about dance, this is a safe place to try it out. If you are trying to get in touch with your body, this is a place to explore movement and flow. If you have danced a little, but want to learn more, this is a place of wisdom. If you are a dancer who wishes to break out of choreography, this is a place to learn to express yourself. If you got stuck with tricky rhythms (I am looking at you...9/8 rhythm) this is where you can learn these secrets. If you are a professional dancer and you want to shake things up, polish movements, or develop a truly personal signature, this is where to find the mystery element you have been seeking (and a whole handbook if you come to the Diva Retreat). There is nothing short of magic going on at Ma*Shuqa's studio. I would know. I hope you find your magic here too. read more

Ma'Shuqa truly represents the dancer of elegance. I love her charming character and passion for bellydance. I have been learning bellydancing on and off for about 1 year. With Ma'Shuqa's instructions, I was able to have some breakthroughs with certain moves that I've been struggling with. I love how she uses positive mindset to power up your body's flow and rhythm. The way she teaches the fundamental movements is very easy to comprehend and it applies to dancers of all levels. Ma'Shuqa is a great master teacher with abundance of experiences in bellydancing. I love learning from her and am so happy that I have found her while visiting the Bay area for one month. I will definitely take her classes every time I come in town. Also, Ma'Shuqa's dance studio is absolutely amazing and beautiful! I feel so happy every time I go there. read more

Belly Dance Ala Ma'shuqa Murjan is the best studio to learn bellydancing for all level of dancers. She teaches not just how to incorporate percussive rhythms in the dance but the essence of musicality and creativity is taught to each level of dancer as she dedicates time and floor exercises to help the dancer engage in the different melodies, patterns and music interpretations of different styles of belly dance origins. I have taken her classes for years and came from being a super beginner knowing barely anything about how belly dance to being able to understand, interpret, feel, improvise, create and most importantly - DANCE. Her studio is dancer friendly with a warm, beautiful and lively ambiance. Even though Mashuqa is an international world renowned dancer, she understands that the goal of the belly dancer should be to perform in a way that mirrors the music so closely, that they almost appear to "create the music" as they dance. No matter if you are a beginner, performer, intermediate or a professional dancer, what the dancer learns in the class as they selectively hear music, will be conveyed to the dancer of what they hear and feel from the music that is translated in dancing. I personally learned how to move to the rhythm and from her classes have gained dynamic musicality of the music. She teaches in every class how to choose to use the music most effectively in terms of setting the appropriate tone from: speed, phrasing, and intricacy of musical interpretation. Use of finger cymbals, veil work, body rolls, muscle/body isolations, learning to improvise as well as rhythmic, accents, and syncopation. There are a wide variety of classes she offers as well as privates and workshops. I have learned so much from her and the more I learn, the more she teaches new ways for the dancer to explore and develop our own personal artistry through belly dancing. Mashuqa is a phenomenal teacher, dancer, performer and artist! read more

I have been belly dancing since 2004, performed professionally, won awards at competitions, and taught classes/workshops here and abroad. However, no matter how much I have experienced, there is always more to learn and Ma'Shuqa is a master teacher with so much more experience and belly dance knowledge to pass on. Every class is different and she puts a lot of effort into her teaching style, classes, dance material, and very helpful handouts that explain the topics she teaches. She is deeply involved with the belly dance community and well respected by all. Her classes are fantastic for those really wanting to develop their individual style and she is one of the few teachers in the area to really teach improv and encourage newer students to perform with live music. You can really appreciate her teaching style when going to one of her student shows because everyone's style is so unique and not a typical "teacher clone". It is so refreshing to see this individuality consistently in all of her students. In addition to offering frequent performance opportunities, she hosts many workshops with well known dancers right here in Los Gatos, which is fantastically convenient for those in the South Bay. When she says no experience is necessary, she really means it. I am frequently in the same class as a brand new student and Ma'Shuqa is able to effectively teach to all levels of students while keeping everyone engaged and learning new things. She is well-versed in safe fitness and dance movements and can accommodate all levels of dance experience, fitness, movement ability, and body type. She even has taught me classes throughout my whole pregnancy. I am 39 weeks pregnant now and still plan to attend class this week :) read more

The highlight of my week is escaping the rush of Silicon Valley to go to Ma*Shuqa's School of Belly Dance, a beautiful private dance studio tucked away from prying eyes; a serene retreat with greenhouse ceiling and walls that look out on a verdant garden with Egyptian papyrus, tall California redwood trees, and tropical plants. Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan's Hidden Garden Oasis dance studio offers me respite from the world - a safe and beautiful learning environment. Dance is my love and passion; I am not a professional dancer but after studying with Ma*Shuqua for a couple of years I am comfortable saying that I'm an advanced dancer. I love that Ma*Shuqua's classes are all levels--from the person just seeking to embrace a new experience of their femininity, body aesthetic and enjoyment to the professional polishing a competition routine--Ma*Shuqua is a local treasure with international recognition in the belly dance world. As a dancer, the Ma*Shuqa Method, which includes many handouts and deeply researched explanations, has taken my understanding of the context, culture, and expression of belly dance beyond the superficial "shake your hips" of YouTube instruction. Her method is an intentional way to develop elegance of style, high standards for improvised performance with live music and a unique dance signature styling. The Ma*Shuqa method encourages and enables dancers to perform improvised dance that matches Middle Eastern musicality and makes dancers into beautifully accomplished and musical dancers who are all individually unique. I've learned to dance in a way that mirrors the music so closely, that I almost feel like the music is living inside of me. Ma*Shuqua has an incredible music collection and plays new music every class--I am always filled with joy when my dance matches the musicality of the music. Beyond preparing for performance (which I do occasionally) the weekly class is always an opportunity to experience the surprising, satisfying and singular experience of moving to unknown music as if being compelled by an unknown force--it is truly magical--and the way that learned to understand music from Ma*Shuqua allows me to have this experience. I've studied with many teachers, and the hallmark of studying with Ma*Shuqua is becoming profoundly versed in musical interpretation. In every class we listen to new music to define, assess, and identify the many elements of music; then create beautiful dance movement to match the elements of musicality in the music. I love studying with Ma*Shuqua, it is one of my top priorities. Hope to see you in class! read more

Taking MaShuqa's class has renewed my love of belly dance. She has taught me techniques that is invaluable. MaShuqa is an expert of the dance. I find her class simply magical. I find myself wanting to dance again. read more

She is absolutely phenomenal!!! Her teaching style is beneficial for all levels. She teaches in depth the art form and is terrific in technique. She inspires the dancer to incorporate their own signature with what she teaches, so the dancer never lose their true self identification as a solo dancer. Her method is dance every move learned. Highly recommended read more

I have taken several group classes, workshops, and private lessons from Ma*Shuqa over the last year and highly recommend her for her teaching style, especially to the new dancer. In addition to having years of dancing and teaching experience, she has an academic background, which she uses to help students learn and structure the dance. As a new dancer, I have found the way she documents and breaks down step patterns and explains Middle Eastern music to be hugely helpful. I have worked with her quite a bit on improvisational dance, and her suggestions for adding structure to the improvisation have given me more confidence to dance in front of an audience. I have been in Ma*Shuqa's group classes with absolute beginners and professional dancers, and Ma*Shuqa is able to teach everyone at their own level. Her studio is beautiful, roomy, and very comfortable. read more

As a long time student of Belly Dancing and an experienced dancer, I highly recommend Ma Shuqa as a superb instructor. Her own performance is flawlessly beautiful, and every time I go to her class, I advance in my understanding of her fine technique. Being in her class is fun and pleasant. Her teaching method is very organized. Having advanced degrees in Education, she also has prepared papers describing her MaShuqa method and listing her dance principles, which are very handy to have when practicing. She has a beautiful studio, and every student is made to feel welcomed and included. You can be assured that if you study with MaShuqa, you will be well prepared to give an excellent performance. read more

I travel all the way from the Sacramento area to study with Ma*Shuqa, a tribute to her unique abilities as a teacher and mentor. Ma*Shuqa draws on decades of experience in this art form to provide the student with both context and technique. Well-organized, she summarizes her teaching methods with written handouts that the student can reference later, giving maximum benefit from her classes. Ma*Shuqa also has a special gift for helping her students develop their own unique style and expression, maximizing potential without sacrificing individuality. Ma*Shuqa and her husband Carl have been pillars in the bellydance community for decades. Her boutique studio is a beautiful oasis of talent, a gathering place of the loveliest of souls...dancers, musicians, and students alike. read more

I'm a long-time dance student who has taken MaShuqa's classes, private classes, and workshops. My experience is that MaShuqa is a dancer's dancer. She is a Master instructor with many years of performance and teaching skills and possesses an abundant amount of knowledge in all areas of belly dance: music, movement, props, make-up, costuming, history, culture, etc. (from vintage to modern belly dance) which can definitely help accelerate your dance level and understanding of the dance (beginner to pro). Her weekly classes, private classes, and workshops are filled with tons of useful information and personal attention. She is always professional, organized, on-time, and relays information in a way that's easy to understand and follow. I appreciate that MaShuqa offers her classes and workshops at affordable prices which makes her reachable to all levels of students no matter what kind of dance budget you're on. The other thing that I really like about MaShuqa is that even after all her years in this dance form, she is still heavily active in the dance community and is very passionate about teaching this art form. She's not one of those unorganized, uninspiring teachers who sluggishly show up to class teaching the same thing week in and week out. I like that MaShuwa is challenging and she is never stagnant in learning and soaking up new information which she shares with her students. Lastly, I'd like to say from my experience that MaShuqa is sooo down to earth, patient, and comfortable to be around (no diva drama). MaShuqa possess everything a student should seek in a dance teacher. I highly recommend her. Give her a try and see for yourself. PS: I just took the Diva Day Workshop which focused on photo techniques for dancers. I learned a lot of useful information in this workshop and will definitely use the techniques I learned in my dance all the time. Every dancer needs to take this workshop, plus it was tons of fun! read more