Karla Marie
~love, light, and happy shimmies~
Karla Marie, originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, has been dancing since childhood. Classically trained in Ballet by Marcelle Bonge, one of Guatemala's most recognized Ballet instructors, founder of Ballet Guatemala. Karla Marie found her passion for dancing at a very young age, studying both Ballet and Jazz throughout childhood and most of her teenage years.
After moving to New Orleans, her passion for dancing brought her to study many Latin styles, West Coast Swing, among others.
10 years ago, a new transplant to Miami (Post-Katrina) she began her Belly Dance studies at the amazing MidEastern Dance Exchange in South Beach (Miami). MidEastern Dance Exchange and Belly Dance opened a whole new world of dance. Through the inspirational belly dance instruction by Tamlyn Dalal and Bozenka (both world renowned Belly Dance Superstars) among others, she was transformed. In New Orleans, she continued her belly dance studies with Marci Selena and other recognized and accomplished belly dancers. She has been shimmying, shaking, and undulating, ever since. She has taught belly dancing in the New Orleans area since 2007. "Art is my passion... dancing is another form of expression, a way to discover, to play, to be joyous, to recognize our own spirit and unique energy, and be inspired. I dance because I have to."
Most recently, she has received training from World Renowned Belly Dance instructors like Suhaila Salimpour, Amani of Lebanon, Valerick Molinary, Zoe Jakes, Drummer extraordinaire Isaam Houshan, and Aziza Nawal.
A Photographer and Fundraising and Public Relations professional by day, Karla Marie enjoys the creative energy that comes from dancing. The love for her culture and appreciation of other cultures allows her dancing to be versatile and tactile.
Karla Marie teaches Belly Dance and Latin Dancing. She has also been offering Restorative private sessions and including Prenatal Restorative sessions including belly dancing and yoga techniques for expecting moms for a couple of years.
In 2014, completed her Reiki Level 1 training under the guidance and instruction of Michele Baker, Reiki Master and Level 3 Practitioner, Swan River Yoga- New Orleans.
She is the proud mother of three gorgeous, handsome boys, Gian-Carlo (19), Stefan Armando (13), Renzo Marcel (3 years), a miniature dachshund named Gucci, and she is deliciously married to the love of her life, Charles Johannes Cochran. Life is good.
"Dancing is not raising your feet painlessly, Like a speck of dust blown around in the wind.
Dancing is when you rise above worlds, Tearing your heart into pieces and giving up your soul." --Rumi
"We should consider each day lost on which we have not danced at least once."--Nietzsche
Karla Marie teaches Belly Dance and many Latin styles, including:
Salsa: usually attributed to Cuba. Salsa is a variation of European and African dance styles. However, since salsa has its roots in so many dances and is open to improvisation, this style is very fluid.
Merengue: Originated in Dominican Republic, a two beat step that allows for intricate turns and wide open movements.
Cha Cha Cha: Originated from Salsa, but adding a shuffling of the feet. A rhythm also originated in Cuba.
Bachata: a rhythm originated in Domincan Republic that is slow and sensual, incorporates the Cuban hip motion and a unique "pop".
Reggaeton: An urban rhythm that originated in Panama and Puerto Rico similar to Hip Hop.
Punta: an African style dance that originated in Honduras and other Central American countries by the Garifuna people and is similar in many ways to belly dancing.
"We should consider each day lost on which we have not danced at least once."--Nietzsche
Belly Dancing Classes in New Orleans * Belly Dancing Classes in Metairie * Belly Dance New Orleans * Belly Dance Metairie * Belly Dance Workshops * Learn to Dance in New Orleans * Learn to Belly Dance in NOLA * NOLA Belly Dancing * Belly Dancing Workshops in NOLA * Belly Dancing Workshop in Metairie * Restorative Sessions in New Orleans * Restorative Sessions in Metairie * Chakra Activation Awaken the Goddess Workshop * NOLA Belly Dance * Belly Dance Fusion New Orleans * Latin Fusion NOLA