Georgian Dance Lessons

Who this is for

For travellers who want to feel Georgian dance in their own body rather than from the audience.

And for couples before a wedding, companies, families and residents looking for regular physical activity.

Our role

We find an instructor and a space to suit your group, age and goal, and invite musicians when needed.

The instructor and studio set their own rates, and you pay them directly. We take no commission from them, and the cost of our help is separate.

The first lesson

In the first lesson the instructor briefly tells the dance's story and then moves straight to movement.

At the end you dance a short combination of a minute or two, often to music.

No dance experience is needed, and many people dance here for the first time in their lives.

Warm-up

The lesson starts with a light warm-up of the legs, knees and shoulders.

Georgian dance puts a heavy load on the legs and feet, so you should not skip this part.

The warm-up takes ten minutes, and a short stretch is added at the end of the lesson.

Posture

The foundation of Georgian dance is an upright, proud posture: straight spine, chest slightly forward, head high.

The instructor corrects your posture in the first minutes, because everything is built on it.

Many participants say they keep walking this way after the lesson without meaning to.

Men's arms

A man's arms are often held firmly out to the side, or one forward and one back.

The hands and fingers are firm and composed, expressing strength and restraint.

Arm positions are learned separately before the footwork is added.

Women's arms

A woman's arms move softly and in waves, and the hands open and close like a flower.

The shoulders stay calm, and the movement seems to draw in the air.

This is the most refined part of the dance, and performing it beautifully comes with practice.

The women's glide

A Georgian woman dancer glides with small, quick steps that are almost invisible under a long dress.

The secret of this glide lies in soft knees and moving close to the floor.

In the lesson you learn this glide slowly first, then at the tempo of the music.

Men's steps

Men's steps are sharp, energetic and often include jumps.

For beginners the instructor replaces difficult moves with a simpler version on the whole foot.

Loud stamps on the floor give the dance rhythm and drama.

Standing on the toes

Professional dancers rise onto their toes after years of training and with special footwear.

We do not attempt this in a visitors' lesson, as for an untrained foot it is a risk of injury.

Instead the instructor shows you how dancers train for it, which is fascinating.

Jumps and knees

In some men's dances the dancers jump and drop onto their knees.

Such moves are taught only to trained students, with special protection.

For beginners we choose safer but still striking movements instead.

Rhythm

The music of Georgian dance has a clear and often fast rhythm, set by the doli drum.

The instructor counts out loud first, then replaces the counting with music.

A sense of rhythm develops fastest when you start by clapping.

The first combination

After a few steps and arm positions the instructor joins them into a short combination.

The combination is danced slowly first, then at normal speed, and finally to music.

At that moment the group often feels for the first time that it is really dancing.

Kartuli as a couple's dance

Kartuli, the couple's dance, is the most often chosen theme for a lesson.

Here the man and woman move around each other but do not touch.

The instructor teaches the couple to use the space and to finish together.

Gaze and distance

In kartuli the man looks at the woman with respect, and she responds with restraint.

Distance is part of the dance's language, and it creates the tension and beauty.

This detail turns the dance from a performance into a story.

Lekuri

Lekuri is a fast, energetic dance often heard at Georgian weddings and celebrations.

At a wedding every guest often joins in, and the dance moves in a circle.

Knowing a few lekuri steps is very useful for a guest invited to a Georgian wedding.

Acharuli for groups

Acharuli is a cheerful and relatively simple dance that brings a group together quickly.

The steps are fun, and mistakes here cause laughter, not tension.

We often choose it for team and family lessons.

Perkhuli

Perkhuli is a round dance in which participants rest their hands on each other's shoulders and move while singing.

It is especially common in the mountain regions, such as Svaneti.

Perkhuli is the easiest to learn and needs no dance experience at all.

A short choreography

At the end of the lesson the instructor joins what you learned into a choreography of a minute or two.

The group performs it to music, from start to finish.

This is the most memorable moment, and it is often filmed.

Video

The instructor or our coordinator films your final dance on a phone.

The video is useful for practice at home and for showing friends.

If you would like professional filming, we invite a photographer or videographer separately.

Live music

With the doli and the buziki, the Georgian accordion, a lesson takes on a whole different energy.

The musician fits the tempo to the dancers and can also play slowly for practice.

We often invite live music for group and corporate lessons.

Recorded music

Most lessons use recorded music, which lets the instructor change the tempo.

The instructor finds you the music so you can practise at home to the same tune.

With a recording it is also easy to move from a slow tempo to a fast one.

Footwear

Georgian dancers wear chitebi, soft leather boots.

For a visitors' lesson trainers or soft-soled shoes are enough.

We advise against high heels and slippery soles because of the risk of injury.

Clothing

Loose clothing that is comfortable to move in is best.

Women are sometimes offered a long skirt so they better feel the glide.

Be sure to bring water and a towel - dancing makes you sweat.

In costume

Some studios give you a chokha or Georgian dress at the end of the lesson for photos and a last dance.

Movement feels different in costume, and for many this is the best part of the lesson.

Let us know in advance if you would like a costume, so we can find the size.

The studio

Tbilisi has many dance studios teaching Georgian dance to children and adults.

A studio has mirrors, a proper floor and a sound system, which makes learning easier.

We choose a studio by the instructor's experience and work with foreigners.

Ensemble schools

Some well-known ensembles have their own schools that train children and young people.

Such schools are mainly for a professional path, but sometimes run a masterclass for visitors.

We check this possibility in advance.

In a village and at a feast

At a village celebration or in a family courtyard, dancing starts spontaneously.

Then the steps you learned suddenly come in very handy, and your hosts are delighted.

We often place a dance lesson at the start of a village tour.

A wedding dance

Couples often learn kartuli or lekuri to amaze their guests at the wedding.

Two to five lessons are enough for a short, beautiful choreography.

We fit the dance to your dress and shoes, and hold the final rehearsal in the wedding shoes.

Dancing at the supra

At a Georgian supra dancing often starts towards the end of the evening.

Knowing a few steps lets a guest join in confidently.

We write about folklore ensembles and the supra in the events section.

Corporate lesson

A team dance lesson brings colleagues together through laughter and movement.

We split a large group among several instructors, and at the end everyone dances together.

The lesson is often held before a conference or dinner and sets the mood for the evening.

Children

Children learn Georgian dance through play: rhythm, clapping and animal movements.

A children's lesson lasts up to forty-five minutes so attention does not wander.

At the end the children show their parents the dance, and it is the warmest moment.

Teenagers

Teenagers are often drawn to energetic lekuri and men's moves.

The instructor offers them a dynamic but safe version.

Many teenagers share the video on social media, which motivates them to learn.

Older guests

For older participants we plan a slow tempo, a focus on arm movement and rests.

Perkhuli and the women's glide are especially good at this age.

We tell the instructor about any health considerations in advance.

Limited mobility

For a participant using a wheelchair the instructor prepares a choreography for the arms and upper body.

We check the studio entrance and space in advance.

The feeling of dance does not belong to the legs alone, and instructors know this well.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy we leave out jumps and fast turns and choose arm and glide practice.

We warn the instructor in advance and plan frequent rests.

Always follow your doctor's advice on physical activity.

Avoiding injury

Georgian dance loads the feet, ankles and knees, so warming up and stretching are essential.

The instructor fits the tempo to participants' ability and does not rush.

If you feel pain, stop at once and tell the instructor.

The floor

Dancing needs a level, firm and non-slip floor.

A studio floor is specially laid for this.

In a hotel hall or courtyard we check the surface before the lesson.

The instructor's touch

An instructor sometimes corrects your posture, arm or shoulder position by hand.

This happens only with your consent, and if you prefer no touch, they explain in words or by demonstration.

We agree this rule with every instructor in advance.

Language

Many instructors teach in English or Russian.

Dance is learned with the eyes, and words matter less here.

For other languages we send an interpreter or our coordinator.

Group size

A private lesson gives the fastest progress.

A group of four to fifteen participants is the most fun.

A larger group needs a second instructor or a bigger hall.

Length

A visitors' masterclass lasts an hour or an hour and a half.

Wedding preparation takes several lessons over a few days or weeks.

A regular class usually lasts an hour to an hour and a half.

Regular classes

For residents, two lessons a week at a studio is the best rhythm.

Within a few months you learn several complete choreographies.

A regular class is also a way to make new friends and join the local community.

Progress

The first month is devoted to posture, arms and basic steps.

Within a few months rhythm and coordination become natural.

Difficult moves take years of training, and the instructor is honest with you about that path.

End-of-season show

Many studios hold an end-of-season show in which students dance in costume.

It is strong motivation and a proud moment for the family.

Foreign students are often happily included in such a show.

Dance as exercise

Georgian dance trains the legs, back and stamina.

Many residents choose this class instead of the gym.

Dance also improves coordination and posture in everyday life.

Online

An online lesson is useful for repeating arm movements and basic steps.

Correcting posture and technique through a screen is hard, so we recommend live first lessons.

After you leave, online lessons help you keep what you learned.

Practising at home

A video and the music make practising at home easy.

Ten minutes a day of posture and arm work quickly shows results.

The instructor often gives you a short list of exercises.

Photos

A photo taken while dancing captures movement and emotion.

A photo in costume is one of the best souvenirs of a trip.

We photograph other students at the studio only with their consent.

Common mistakes

Arriving at the lesson in slippery-soled or brand-new shoes.

Skipping the warm-up and trying professional moves on the first day.

A dance lesson on a long hiking day, when the legs are already tired.

Timelines and cancellation

We often arrange a one-off lesson within a few days; with live music it takes a little longer.

We start a wedding dance a few weeks before the wedding.

We confirm cancellation and rescheduling terms with the instructor before booking.

What we need from you

How many participants there are, their ages and physical condition.

The goal: enjoyment, a wedding, a team or regular exercise.

The date, place and whether you would like live music or a costume.

Price

The price depends on the length, group size, place and live music.

The instructor or studio sets the rate, and we add nothing to it.

Our fee for helping is separate and agreed in advance.