Indian Fusion Formation
Pushkar, Rajasthan
An Accredited Dance Training Program with Colleena Shakti
Indian Fusion Formation Trainings in 2026
will be announced after Diwali (Oct 20)
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IFF ~ Preliminary Training
APRIL 9 - 12, 2025
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IFF ~ Level 1 Training
APRIL 13 - 19, 2025
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IFF ~ Level 2 Training
APRIL 23 - 28, 2025
Interested to join an IFF training?
Please share with us about your interest and be the first to know about upcoming programs
WHAT IS INDIAN FUSION DANCE?
Stylistically speaking, Indian Fusion movement vocabulary is inspired by cultural dances of India and the Middle East (including its modern evolutions). This dance bridges modern and folkloric Bellydance/Raqs Sharqi vocabulary with extensive postures and spins of North Indian classical and folk dance, intricacies of eyes, hands and facial expression from Eastern Indian classical dance and draws in elements of Central Asian dances as well. Woven seamlessly together, Indian Fusion Dance is both Ancient & Modern – expressing timeless qualities and values.
WHAT IS INDIAN FUSION FORMATION: An Accredited Training Program?
Designed for the serious fusion dance student, Indian Fusion Formation is a structured dance training program designed to progressively impart the techniques, training methods and theories behind this beautiful dance form – Indian Fusion Dance as developed by Colleena Shakti.
Indian Fusion Formation is not just a dance program, it is also a cultural immersion. Intellectual inquiry, aesthetic reflection and creative explorations are nurtured through the structured coursework and exercises defined in the program syllabus.
This program differs from other programs or workshop, the program’s holistic curriculum empowers the student to grow within a shared movement vision - which aims at professional level mastery. By progressing through the IFF levels, students will gain access to teaching techniques and creative tools that progressively develop.
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*REGISTRATIONS CLOSED FOR 2025*
This course is designed to establish a strong base in Fusion Bellydance vocabulary utilized in Colleena’s unique Indian Fusion Dance and Indian Fusion Formation program. We encourage new Bellydancers and dancer with a few years of experience who want to brush up on technique and learn about Colleena’s stylistic approach.
In this course dancers get a taste of the codified format of Fusion Bellydance Colleen has developed over 2 1/2 decades as a performer, teacher and researcher.
Theory lectures explore various histories, cultures and contexts of Fusion Bellydance as it has evolved, siting common misconceptions and current social issues related to the dance. We will ahve the opportunity to experience live drumming and music classes in Middle Eastern percussion and musicality for dancers.
THE CLASSES COVER:
Yoga, warm up and dance conditioning for the aspiring dancer
Extensive gesture/isolation vocabulary for deeper understanding of movements
Relevant ATS, Tribal Fusion, Raqs Sharqi and folkloric Egyptian inspired dance movements
Carefully crafted drills and training methods to develop techniques through repetition
Choreographed compositions to help you practice these steps and their transitions
Theory Lectures and dance history
COST: Please email for full breakdown of costs and potential discounts.
*Indian Nationals rate in INR
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Discover and establish yourself in the inspiring world of Rasa, Indian Fusion and Shakti School of Dance through studying its vision, values and theoretic components that weave together to create the formation. Students will receive a clear and systematic break down in preliminary yoga practices, warm ups, postures, dance vocabulary, phrases and repertoire. Most importantly students learn how to practice (techniques for practice, drills and creative explorations).
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Level 1 focuses on memorization of codified movements. Level 1 vocabulary focuses on derivations of commonly known Fusion Bellydance movements with distinct movement principles from Indian dances. These movements are templates which explore movement principles and qualities which are discussed in theory classes. While these are beautiful movements… they are not the END of the course, they are a shared starting point.
Indian Fusion Formation is not just a dance workshop, this training covers the following topics:
Practical
Yoga: techniques and theory
Warm-ups, strengthening, anga shuddhi, and supplemental exercises
Gestures, isolation patterns and detailed micro-movements
Level 1 Vocabulary of Indian Fusion Formation: foot positions, mudra, arm patterns, 18+ Moves, key movement principles, traveling steps, spins, transitions and 13+ phrases!
Theory
Indian Aesthetic Theory, Brief Bellydance History & Cultural Context
The art of being a Student / Teacher (Advanced dance skills for teaching)
The Mind, Body & Spirit – a Holistic Vision: anatomy, kinesiology, Ayurveda self-care, and holistic yogic health.
Vision, Mission, Values – creating your community and sharing your message
Ethics (Fusion or Confusion, Cultural Appropriation, Orientalism, etc)
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least 2 years of Bellydance training and ideally some experience or interaction with an Indian dance form. Level 1 requires students to layer Bellydance movements with control and precision and have some knowledge of common ‘Tribal Fusion Bellydance’ vocabulary such as: ATS basic movements, 3/4 and 4/4 shimmy, Maya/Taxim, etc. Students should have ability to combine traveling steps, direction changes, layered isolations, etc. This dance training also requires a certain degree of fitness – to dance for 5+ hours per day. Students should have basic level of the English language, as class will be conducted in English.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
2 Live Zoom ‘Level 1 Preparation Workshops’ and access to recordings of our preparation classes
35-40 hours of dance/theory training live in Pushkar, Rajasthan
Beautifully designed IFF Textbook with detailed breakdown of movement vocabulary, photographic references, reading articles, etc.
Testing, should you chose to test and possibly receive your Level 1 Certificate
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
1st Online Zoom Required Preparation Class: date to be determined
2nd Online Zoom Required Preparation Class: date to be determined
REQUIRED WELCOME MEETING: April 13 at 6pm
IFF Class Days: April 14 – 19, 2024 (approx 6 hours per day)
Final Day – Testing in evening: April 19, 2024
COST: Please email for full breakdown of costs and potential discounts.
*Indian Nationals rate in INR
*25% Discount for returning students who have previously attended a IFF Level 1 training (book and testing not included)
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ESTABLISHING ALL THE ELEMENTS
Dancers inspired to move deeper will continue to firmly root and refine L1 vocabulary as well as adding a lot of new material and compositions in L2! While ideally we can dance together with symmetry, coordination and identifiable style… the final result of the program should be a self-empowerment and confidence to continue to create on your own with a solid base. Choreographic tools and ways to manipulate movements will offer more creative scope to dancers within the aesthetic of Indian Fusion.
L2 includes the opportunity to experience traditional training in Indian Classical dance to gain experience in a traditional Indian dance context. Students will establish the stylized movements in your body through application, and develop a rich understanding of aesthetic principles that guide this dance style through deeper study of underlying structures of dance. This training will expand your ‘dance literacy’, empowering you to have more critical conversations about/within dance. With an increased toolset in choreology, movement principles, musicality, expression/interpretation, choreographic tools and aesthetics, a dancer is able to critically assess the movements at hand in this style and eventually develop movements and dances of their own while remaining within the style.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Passing score on Level 1 test and completion of homework assignments is required to join this course.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
1st Online Zoom Required Preparation Class: date to be determined
IFF Class Days: April 23 – 28, 2024 (approximately 6 hours per day)
Testing will take place online 6 months after the completion of this live training
INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:
1-2 Live Zoom preparation classes and access to recordings
35-40 hours of dance/theory training live in Pushkar, Rajasthan
Handouts and curated practice playlists
Online Testing and private session
COST: Please email for full breakdown of costs and potential discounts.
*10% Discount given when registering for more than 1 session at Shakti School of Dance
*Indian Nationals rate in INR
ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
Application Steps
REQUEST INFO – Send us an inquiry mail (form at the top of this page) for more information & the application
APPLY - Fill out Application which will be sent to your email
RECEIVE NOTICE of ‘Accepted’ or ‘Waitlist’
MAKE PAYMENT (full amount or non-refundable first deposit) – this is what secures your spot in the program!
FULL PAYMENT COMPLETES YOUR REGISTRATION – All payment and registration must be completed by dates specified in your payment plan agreement. Otherwise, we will offer your spot to a waitlisted student.
RECEIVE WELCOME LETTER - with suggestions for accommodation and travel, etc. approximately 1 month before the course starts. We do not assist with travel bookings.
Assistance
*Indian Nationals Scholarship rate is available – based on genuine need – for Indian Nationals who are currently residing and working in India with government issued id.
For further questions please don’t hesitate to inquire by email at: shaktischoolofdance@gmail.com
Important Information
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You MUST arrive in Pushkar at least 2 days before the course begins - especially if you are arrving from abroad. You will not be permitted to join the course if you arrive the same day the school starts. Experience leads us to believe that students need sufficient rest after long travel or international flights before they begin intensive training.
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If you are an Indian citizen (with an Indian passport, ID or Ration Card) and currently live and work in India – we offer a scholarship rate based on financial need. You will still be required to complete the standard application form for consideration. Please email us at: shaktischoolofdance@gmail.com
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Shakti School of Dance is a family friendly environment, we love having your family involved in our school. Family members are welcome to observe classes and join ‘Shakti Saturday’ and any performance events. We can help to arrange child care for mothers during your class hours. Please email for more information.
FAQs
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Yes. Since we are in an active temple, all Intensive students must dress appropriately / modestly to enter our temple school or they may be asked to leave. For your Odissi classes, traditional dance sari or salwar kameez are required. More details will be sent to you in your welcome packet after registration is complete. For Indian Fusion Formation and drop in, once inside the classroom you can wear regular bellydance class wear.
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Shakti School of Dance cannot offer any support in visa matters. For this reason, we suggest you enter on a Tourist Visa, for the purpose of “sightseeing”.
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There are many small guest houses in Pushkar within a 1-15 minute walk. Prices range from $10-$45 US Dollars a night. Guest houses are simple and safe. We suggest you look in a guidebook or travel forum online. It is very easy to find accommodations in Pushkar even without advance reservations. SSD does not offer help with booking accommodation, however please visit our school Facebook group page to communicate with other dancers who have come to SSD before.
We suggest you do not commit to a long term booking online until you arrive and have a look around to make sure you find a comfortable accomodation located close to the school.
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Those interested in training in the Odissi Intensive programs MUST fill out the application. Students interested in attending drop-in classes in any subject are NOT required to submit an application.
Applications must be submitted on time and completed in full to be considered for admission to our training programs. Payment (via Paypal) must be completed upon admission in the given time period to guarantee enrollment in the Odissi intensive sessions. Please review our strict no-refund policy before tuition payment is completed so there is no confusion.
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New students or returning students who have not attended the Odissi Intensive program since 2013 must apply for Session # 1 or 2. Any student applying for Session 1 may also apply to continue for the other Sessions.
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No. We only offer Intensive training classes as part of a structured session. We do not offer discounts or any prorated rates. If you cannot commit at this time to the intensive, we welcome you to join us as a drop in student. Please note the *Arrival Requirements*
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No. At this time, there are no scholarships or work trades available except to Indian Nationals currently living and working in India. Please write us to inquire more about these rates for Indian Nationals at: shaktischoolofdance@gmail.com
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At the beginning of the season will be cold until mid February. By the end of March it will be hot in Rajasthan!
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OFFICIAL CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
The Shakti School of Dance Odissi Intensive cancellation and refund policy is in place to guarantee the fair allocation of slots in the program to students who have been accepted and are ready to commit.
Your registration payment to SSD is not refundable, returnable or transferable to a future workshop or to another person. No exceptions. Even in the case of medical or family emergencies. Please register with full awareness of the agreement you are entering into.
Payment (via Paypal), as well as the ‘Mandatory Waiver Form’ must be completed upon acceptance in the given time period to guarantee enrollment in the Intensive sessions.
*By completing your payment, you have agreed to our refund terms and conditions already.