From our friend Tammy Johnson:

As many of you know, I have been working diligently to make my passion - bellydance - the centerpiece of my daily life. Well, it has happen.

On Thursday, Oakland’s favorite bellydance duo, (Etang Inyang and I) - Raks Africa - launched "Your Body Raks" - a movement and wellness business that celebrates bodies of every size.

Your Body Raks integrates bellydance with writing, mindfulness activities and art making. Through classes, workshops and retreats, Your Body Raks provides women and girls with the tools needed to fully embrace their bodies and resist negative messages about themselves, all while having lots of fun learning the art of bellydance.  

Your Body Raks is all about:

• Bellydance - Moving to an African beat
• Body Justice - Uniting women of every size
• Joy - Embracing who you are

Join us for a class

On Monday, join us from 6 to 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Bihr Studio,  5390 Miles Ave. (between Hudson and Clifton streets) in North Oakland. 

On Wednesdays, we will be at Oakland Asian Cultural Center Auditorium from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The center is located at 388 Ninth St., Suite 290 (between Franklin and Webster streets, on the second floor of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza) in downtown Oakland.              
 
Stay informed about future classes, workshops, retreats, Raks Africa performances and the Girls Raks Bellydance and Body Image program through brand new the Your Body Raks Facebook page and at yourbodyraks.com.

I could not have done this without the love, support, prayers and good mojo from you and all of my family and friends - 2012 promises to be a shimmytastic year!

By the way, Your Body Raks!