About
Dance & Movement for Every Body
Are You Looking For Inspiration And Motivation? A Way To Make Your Life More Fulfilling, With People Who Share Your Desire For Health And Happiness?
Join us and check out our fresh approach to a more fulfilling life through dance, fitness, and self-expression. Hip Ex - a Tampa Bay staple since 2004!
Hip Expressions Belly Dance Studio is a movement, a community, a collaboration - dancers, musicians, artists, yogis, students, professionals, and supporters, of all ages, shapes and sizes... all united around a commitment to community, wellness, and art.
It's never too late to start movement as joy...
Our Mission:
To Nurture A Joyful, Creative Community, Welcoming Every Body, inspiring Exploration & Self-Development Through Movement Arts.
By graceful alignment of mind, body, and heart, we cultivate friendliness, compassion, inspiration, and equanimity. We promise a creative experience for every spirit. Our classes, performances, and events, invite well-being, cultivate self-expression, and encourage personal fulfillment. Come deepen your connection to bliss, release stress, and connect with others who value these same principles!
History...
Hip Expressions idea began in 2000, when Johanna moved to St Pete and met Karen! Finding they aligned in their vision of community, fun and inspiration, they immediately started collaborating. Kimberly joined them in 2002, and they officially founded Hip Expressions in 2004 as a belly dance collective, dedicated to creating and sustaining a community of dancers. This started with weekly dance classes, Johanna's dance troupe Loud Zoo, and monthly showcases called 'haflas', as a place for dancers to share their art and their passion.
In 2008 Hip Ex opened their first studio on 62nd Ave. N, with about five instructors, consolidating from classes taught in St Pete, Seminole, Tampa, and at USF, and adding regular Polynesian, Jazz, and Burlesque classes. In 2011, Johanna took the helm as Director, and the Studio expanded into what would be their home on 54th Ave north for the next 10 years. Here their community continued to grow, as their vibe attracted their tribe from various dance disciplines from Jazz to Nia and Flamenco.
In 2020, like many others, the Studio took a devastating hit; but turning lemons into lemonade, Hip Ex seamlessly added virtual classes to their repertoire and kept the community dancing through tumultuous times. The studio - like many others - ended up displaced, but, unlike many others, has continued! Taken in by the wonderful community at the Centre on St Pete Beach, Saint Pete Dance Centre, classes continue there and now at our new home studio at Exhale, 3336 Tyrone Blvd N. Classes are going strong,
We welcome you as a participant in the evolution of our vibrant, resilient, and supportive community!
Our Team - Instructors, Performers, & Support
It takes a Village
Our beautiful, accepting community exists because of each and every participant... and that includes YOU, who come to classes, workshops, events, & shows! So thank you for being part of our movement!
And a huge thanks for all those who work behind the scenes to make everything possible...
If you're interested in being part of the Team, email us, we have work-study opportunities too!
