Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) — Attraction in Portland

I didn’t care for the belly dancing class offered here at all and wouldn’t return and definitely wouldn’t recommend. I wasn’t even going to leave a review until talking to another dancer and they said I should totally warn others with my experience.

I think it’s due to the instructor mostly, unfortunately. But the studio does not do a very good job actually showing or telling what this class entails. The webpage gives the most vague and brief class description, but doesn’t touch on what the class is actually like or what you’ll learn and the social media channels have a TON of info and videos of basically every other class VMAC offers and literally ONE rarely seen recycled video of belly dance, that still doesn’t actually show anything. Very very difficult to gauge what you’re getting into. Not to mention there were a TON of people in the first few classes. Did you all overbook this class? There was hardly enough space for us all to stand in the room together without touching - which gets pretty gross in a non ventilated room like we were in. I asked the teacher if that’s the normal amount of people and she said that she knows some will drop out (which brings me to the points below) but that kind of sucks that you all count on people dropping to make enough actual space considering we can’t take this class as a drop in or feel it out before spending $$$ on buying a package.

Then the class itself…Clearly the belly dance class here is just for people that want to just move and not for anyone that wants to actually learn belly dance technique (in that case fine! Have fun!). The instructor goes SOO fast and doesn’t repeat instructions unless you ask - and even then she still may not unless a lot of people chime in basically begging her to slow down and actually show us the movements in steps. She straight up told someone “it’s not that important and we don’t have time” to go over some step that was asked about that NONE of us could get down. We don’t have time?? In the class meant for this? She does not really show you what you’re moving, what muscle groups it is, what the goal of the movement is, or what not to do. Several times we had to ask her to slow down and take a moment to actually explain. Possibly she’s rushing through it because we only have one hour which includes warm up and cool down.

And then another class starts damn near immediately afterwards, doesn’t give students much of a chance to grab things, put shoes back on etc. our instructor told us to ask questions in the hallway after the class, which isn’t helpful if you wanted to revisit a move. One older woman wasn’t able to keep up and had asked her if she could film the instructor doing the 30 second choreography so she could practice and the instructor straight up was like “oooh yeah no, we don’t have time”. Mind you it’s basically after class, the other teachers for the other class were barely coming in (they were just chatting and putting their things down) - our teacher most definitely had a few minutes and could have done the 30 seconds of choreography foot work for the woman or could have AT LEAST done it in the hallway for her instead of just being like “hmmm yikes yeah no” (and it wasn’t about being filmed- it was about “time”). That was shocking to me considering we paid a good amount of money for that class. Your job is to teach us and to help us feel secure and confident in the moves not to rush us out.

It felt as if she could barely be bothered to teach. Super disappointing experience and makes me not even want to explore other classes here, though I know they are taught by others (thank god).

As someone who has done belly dance before in a different style, this class felt disrespectful to the art of belly dance to be honest. May as well not teach it if you don’t want to be bothered to do any due diligence to actually help your students along with it. OR at least add to the class description that it’s belly dance inspired movement class...

It's been a little over 6 months of classes at VMAC, so I thought I would update my review.

I love this dance studio.

I have taken level 1 and 2 classes for Bachata, Salsa, West Coast swing and Lindy Hop classes.(Currently only offering level 1) I have been to several of their socials, VMAC instructor led workshops, (the Lead and Follow workshop is a must) workshops with world renowned dancers and I take advantage of the free Practica lesson for my classes. (Level 1 is after class, level 2 is before class) I have found all of the instructors to be incredibly knowledgeable about the history and origins of the dances they are teaching. They even have a workshop/lecture for Salsa where you have the opportunity to learn the cultural origins of the dance. In the very first Lindy Hop class each month they stress the importance of preserving the cultural integrity of the dance. VMAC makes it so clear that dance is for everyone and that everyone can feel welcome in their space to learn about, explore and enjoy other cultures without the assumption of someone's role based on race or perceived gender. That level of inclusivity is a wonderful feeling in our current world where we are being constantly torn apart based on our differences instead of coming together as a global community where our differences make us stronger together. I love that the team at VMAC are also an integral part of the Portland dance community as a whole. They are out dancing at other socials around town and participate in non-VMAC led events. They encourage you to approach them to say hello or, because all of their ambassadors and instructors have Safer Dance Spaces training, to come to them in the event someone on the dance floor is making you uncomfortable. That's community.

I love what you're doing VMAC. Your studio has brought me confidence, joy, fun and laughter. I'll keep coming back to dance with you!

I have been having a great time at VMAC so far. I have been taking the beginners bachata and salsa classes. Of course we're all slightly awkward but I really enjoy the moderate pace of the classes and all my interactions with fellow students and teachers have been fun, relaxed and encouraging. The complimentary practica classes afterwards have been very helpful. They have a few "ambassadors" teaching the practica so you have more opportunity for one on one assistance. Some of the ambassadors are also in the classes to assist with the partner dancing. It's so helpful to have some more experienced folks helping out in class. I am really look forward to progressing in my skills and continuing classes through VMAC, but I love that it isn't a pretentious, showy, exclusive dance studio. I am learning the foundations of these beautiful dances and I feel super welcomed and comfortable...

I can't express my eternal gratitude for the quality of content and instructors at VMAC. Coming into a partner dance with little-to-no experience can be incredibly intimidating, but VMAC's intentionally curated curriculum and thoughtful approach to community building made the experience not only approachable, but fun and life-giving.

Speaking from personal experience and a background of trauma, I've been both pleasantly surprised and heartened by VMAC's approach to emphasizing safe dance spaces predicated on clear consent (both verbal and non-verbal). This concept is an active, ongoing part of the curriculum. I've seen the instructors handle challenging situations with expediency and care, allowing for growth, affirmation, and resolution for all parties involved. I've also seen myself and other dancers work through trauma and be able to build platonic connection through not only the training, but the examples we've seen set by our instructors, throughout our time and VMAC.

Moving beyond emotional safety and consent, VMAC also focuses on proper technique/form that keeps both leads and followers safe from physical injury. They aren't worried about "looking the coolest" at social events over the possibility of having longevity in one's dance career and having a firm set of foundational movements that become the platform for complexity once the dancer has advanced to that stage of personal development. When out-of-town instructors drop in for special workshops, they are consistently vocal about their positive impression of our foundations and how it makes it easier for them to build upon.

In a nutshell: VMAC is not only a place for skill-building, but incidentally a place for social, emotional, and physical healing + development.

As for individual instructors, I can say that both Chris and Deblin, who lead the Zouk community, are well loved and respected throughout the VMAC and extended Zouk communities. I've had the fortune the travel the world while dancing Zouk and have met many individuals across the global stage who know Deblin by name and comment on what a beautiful, connected, and talented dancer she is. She consistently provides us with honest and prudent feedback, and never creates a hostile learning environment. Both she and Chris POUR their time, heart, and attention into this community with little-to-no personal benefit from the individual time, attention, and care they show to us all. We are so fortunate to have them and have had various other communities express their desire to be part of one like what...