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Persian | Afghan | Tajik Dance

@natalienayun

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📍SF Bay Area | 🌍 Traveling dancer
⋄ Performer + Teacher + Lifelong Student
⋄ Founder @pomegranategardendance
⤵ Connect with me ⤵

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I think its always nice to find time to reflect and reconnect with what you are wanting in life, and New Years is a good excuse to do just that. This New Year I have been having a hard time grasping what intentions I want to set, I am disheartened by the state of the world, by what is going on in Iran and Afghanistan and so many other places.

This year I pray for freedom.

I pray for freedom in Iran and Afghanistan and all other places fighting for their basic rights. I pray for us all to find freedom in our own lives, freedom from whatever binds us.

This is a music video I was honored to take part in which is created in memory of Khodanur Lajai, a Balochi man who was killed during protests in Iran.

“Dance of Khodanur”

Video: Vahid Zamani
Painter: Mersa Shirkhodayi
Dancer: Natalie Nayun
Music: Qais Essar

«برقص خدانور»
موزیک-ویدیویی به یاد خدانور لجعی که در جریان اعتراضات ایران کشته شد.

رقصنده: ناتالی
@natalienayun

نقاش: مرسا شیرخدایی
@artbymersa

موسیقی: قیس ایثار
@qaisessar

ویدیو:‌ وحید زمانی
@vahidzamani666

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#Khodanur_Lajai #justiceforiran #womenlifefreedon #iranianrevolution

#خدانور_لجعی #بلوچستان #ايران #زن_زندگی_آزادی by @natalienayun

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4 years ago

Who am I? Well, Let me introduce myself 😊

I am a lifelong dancer, student & researcher. I love dance and I believe dance is a way for all humans to connect more deeply with themselves, their bodies, and the world they live in (I know that’s what it does for me!)

Pre-Covid times I teach dance & movement classes, am the Assistant director for Ballet Afsaneh and choreographer for Sorayya Dance Company at UC Berkeley.

Post Covid I founded @pomegranategardendance which offers Sliding scale pricing and is free for people in Iran. Through this platform students work with top dancers and researchers in the field, most who are currently residing in or from the countries of origin.

You can find me teaching online on Pomegranate Garden Dance, putting up tutorials on my YouTube channel, and trying to be more active on my personal social media account (that’s this one! And thanks @katie.sahar for the inspiration!) so watch out for more dance improv, dance tips, and personal exploration. Send me a DM and say hi 👋 if we don’t know each other yet. Or check in and let me know how you’re doing, I always love to hear from you 💜
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#socialshimmy #raghs_irani #centralasiandance #danceinthetimeofcorona #dancingtogether #danceclass #bellydance #dancewithfriends #danceonline #iranianmusic #رقص_ایرانی #iran #virtualdanceclass #donationdanceclass #spinning #ethnicdance #stayhome #culturaldance #persiandancer #sacreddance #persianregionaldance #transnationalfusion #regionaldance #worlddance #classicalpersiandance #centralasiandance #classicalpersianmusic by @natalienayun

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6 years ago

Here's a fun video I made dancing to the beat of my own drum for a class project. I enjoyed putting this together and I hope you enjoy it too!

The drum rhythms are Jurjuna (10/8) and Hay Allah (4/4)

✨Watch the full video on my YouTube channel - link is in my bio and while you are there please subscribe for dance tutorials and performance videos and because it helps me get my videos out there too 😊

A special thanks to my drum teacher Amir Etemadzadeh - follow him at @amirschoolofmusic

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#framedrumwisdom #framedrummer #womanframedrummer #womandrummer #framedrum #daf #womenframedrumming #womenframedrummers #sitespecificdance #nmdance #dancenm #danceeverywhere #sacreddance #mysticaldance #comtemporarydance #dancedrum #drumdance #curcuna #jurjuna #jorjuna #hayallah #persianrhythms #armenianrhythms #kurdishrhythm #persiandrumming #pomegranategardendance #centralasiandance #silkroaddance #newmexicodance #dancenewmexico by @natalienayun

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5 years ago

Dance, art, music, performances, good vibes - this event was so much fun to be a part of! Thanks @projectplethora for the amazing night and @danceavision for inviting me to be a part of it. Don’t miss their next event. I met so many sweet people, amazing dancers, and made new friends 💕

Thanks @anjoeliano for the video!

📍@continentalcluboakland taken in Continental Club by @natalienayun

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a month ago

✨ I’m SO thrilled to announce that I’ll be teaching an in-person performance series at @odcsf for ODC Global Dance Passport! 💕

We’ll spend these weeks exploring Contemporary Persian Dance Technique & Choreography - we will be diving into movement, music, and storytelling through the lyrics of the song.

Sundays • 2:30–3:45 PM September 13–November 15, 2026 NO CLASS: September 27

📍 ODC, San Francisco
All levels are welcome - no Persian dance experience required!

You are welcome to come and drop-in the first class to see how it feels.

This series is about more than learning choreography. Every movement is rooted in the lyrics and story of the music, while also leaving space for your own personal story as a dancer. We’ll work with Persian and Central Asian technique, including hand and foot work, turns, fluid transitions, and more.

The choreography is taught at an intermediate level, with simplified and more layered variations offered throughout so that dancers can choose what feels right for their bodies and experience. My goal is for everyone to feel supported, challenged, and able to shine ✨

The piece is set to “Soltane Ghalbha” سلطان قلب‌ها, one of the most beloved songs in Iran and throughout Central Asia and the Middle East. ❤️

🎥 The video is an excerpt from the piece we’ll be learning! These dancers learned the full choreography during a weekend intensive and danced it so beautifully.

Please sign up in advance as space is limited! Details + registration: https://odc.dance/gdp
And of course, DM me anytime with questions! 💌
I can’t wait to dance with you. 🫶🏻

#persiandance #contemporarypersiandance #bayareadance #odcglobaldancepassport taken in ODC by @natalienayun

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a month ago

This is from a beautiful wedding on Friday evening. A huge congratulations to the happy couple! ✨🎉

I feel so lucky to get to share this dance that I love so much, and even luckier when I run into people I know from past weddings and events. It always feels like a little reunion. 💕✨

#bayareadance #afghanwedding #afghandance #raqseafghani #afghanweddingdance taken in Dublin, California by @natalienayun

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2 months ago

⭐️CHOREOGRAPHER ANNOUNCED⭐️

About Natalie : Natalie is an international teacher and performer specializing in contemporary and folkloric styles from Central Asia and the Middle East. She holds a degree in Modern Dance from UC Berkeley and is a Certified Franklin Method Teacher and Comprehensive Pilates instructor.

Natalie is the artistic director of Ballet Afsaneh and founder Pomegranate Garden Dance, an international online dance school featuring teachers and students from around the world. Her expertise includes Persian, Afghan, Tajik, and Uzbek dance, among other styles. She has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for over 15 years.

Natalie has received numerous grants and awards to study dance and conduct research in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. She is a passionate teacher and a lifelong student, dedicated to sharing the beauty of these regions through dance.

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About Ballet Afsaneh : From the historic crossroads of Eurasia to the intersecting diversity of a new America, a critically acclaimed ensemble presents dance, music and poetry of the historic Silk Road networks of Eurasia. “Afsaneh” is a word, shared among the major language groups of the Silk Road, meaning “legend” or “mythic story”, Ballet Afsaneh a legend in its own time. With deep roots in San Jose, the company presented annual self-produced concerts at the Montgomery Theater (2005-2009) and the Festival of the Silk Road at Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater (2010-2014).

Traditional repertory includes folkloric and classical dance of Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and more. Also creating contemporary performances, melding ancient art forms with modern dance and theater, in a unique, richly imagistic approach. Inspired by cultural cross pollination in America, new work explores the Silk Road as a metaphor for artists’ ability to harmonize, and yet retain the essence, of our diverse voices.

Ballet Afsaneh produces a Festival of the Silk Road in the San Francisco Bay Area, performs for festivals, universities, schools, and special events, nationally and internationally.

#dance #sanjose #sparcdancefestival #sparcdance #danceshow by @natalienayun

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2 months ago

A little dance in these beautiful gardens in La Serena, Chile 🌿💕

I first met Cote when she began taking classes on @pomegranategardendance during the pandemic, and at this point she knows my style so well that she learned this in about 30 seconds 😝💕

The last time I was here, in 2024, I arrived and immediately got sick, so we didn’t get to explore much of the city. This time, I got to experience more of this beautiful place, and I’m so glad I did.

I’m so grateful for your friendship, @escueladanzaoriental 💕 As professional artists, we share so many values: a deep care for where these dances come from, and a respect for the people, histories, and complexities that shape them. I see that same passion and thoughtfulness reflected in your students and in the beautiful community you’ve created🫶

Already looking forward to the next time we get to spend time together. I know it will feel like no time has passed 💕✨ taken in La Serena, Chile by @natalienayun

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4 months ago

Momentos de nuestro taller de danza afghana con Natalie Nayun en Bogotá el pasado 7 de Junio!

Amamos esta experiencia que nos dejo el corazón completamente lleno y feliz!, esperamos que se repita pronto! Gracias a todas las chicas que participaron en los talleres, que gran honor haberlas tenido a todas en #azadisangit ! 💖❤️❤️‍🩹 taken in Bogota, Colombia by @natalienayun

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4 months ago

Un poco de lo vivido el 6 de Junio con @natalienayun en Bogotá! Fue maravilloso poder tener en el país una bailarina y artista tan talentosa como ella! Esperamos que vuelva pronto a Azadi Sangit para poder seguir compartiendo nuestra amada #danzapersa ❤️
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Gracias Natalie por todas tus enseñanzas, las llevamos en el cuerpo y en el corazón y gracias por hacer que nuestro amor por Irán y la danza crezca más y más 💖
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#persiandance #azadisangit taken in Bogotá, Colombia by @natalienayun

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4 months ago

Concluimos este taller de Danza Afgana con un profundo sentimiento de gratitud por el intercambio de conocimientos y experiencias que se generó durante cada sesión con @natalienayun
Más allá del aprendizaje técnico, este espacio nos permitió acercarnos a una tradición artística de gran riqueza histórica y cultural, reconociendo la danza como una valiosa expresión del patrimonio inmaterial de los pueblos.
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Agradezco a todas las participantes por su interés, compromiso y apertura para explorar nuevas perspectivas a través del movimiento. Cada encuentro reafirma la importancia del estudio, la preservación y la difusión respetuosa de las danzas tradicionales del mundo ✨💖✨
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📅 31/05/26
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📌 Pop Dance Studio
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Organizó: Loshadka Studio/ @mildred_andeola_artista
@eve_farfalla_11
@claudiallanos.danza @yun._n @ilustradancer
@valysunza @shecyth
@uatchit_mystic
@mayadanci
@fatima.r.gonzalez @analuisaluquecano
@danny_bau92
@yndira_5

#afghandance🇦🇫
#danzaafgana
#afganistán #afghanculture🇦🇫 taken in Mexico City, Mexico by @natalienayun

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4 months ago

Algunos momentos que nos dejó este hermoso encuentro con la Danza Afgana de la mano de @natalienayun
A través del movimiento exploramos no solo una forma de danza, sino también una tradición cultural llena de historia, simbolismo y sensibilidad artística.
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Agradezco profundamente a todas las participantes por su interés, dedicación y disposición para aprender 🙌💖🙏
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Estas fotografías son una pequeña muestra de lo vivido durante el taller.
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👉 Si te interesa conocer más sobre las danzas tradicionales de Asia Central, Cáucaso, Europa del Este y otras expresiones culturales del mundo, te invito a explorar el contenido de esta página y acompañarme en futuros proyectos y actividades.
¡Gracias por ser parte de este camino de aprendizaje y difusión cultural!
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📌 Pop Dance Studio
Organizó: Loshadka Studio/ @mildred_andeola_artista
📷 @san_german_marco
📅 31/05/2026
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#afghan #afghandance🇦🇫 #danzaafgana #afganistan taken in Mexico City, Mexico by @natalienayun

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4 months ago