Who We Are

Sonja has been dancing for many years and has been devoted to oriental dance since the very beginning of 2005. She won the 2008 Oriental Dance Contest, after which she began to teach dance and thus gained considerable experience in teaching. Her dance education in Croatia, Egypt, Hungary, Turkey and Slovenia with leading Croatian and world class oriental dance teachers is extensive. Thanks to her specific teaching style, combined with a cheerful spirit and a sense of humour, Sonja‘s classes end with a spontaneous applause, and attendees leave the class with a smile on their face.

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Apolon Centre - holistic centre for exercise, dance, trainings, seminars, workshops, schools, classes, and programmes for all age groups. For more information visit its web site.

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What do the participants say about Sonja's courses:

"Sonja's course is much more than the course itself. I have been dancing belly dance for years and I met Sonja in my dance beginnings. After a five-year break, I decided to take her course again because she is simply the most wonderful, the most cheerful, the most fabulous teacher on Earth and beyond. These few months with these girls is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me. I don’t  come here just for a course, I come for my weekly dose of laughter and happiness hormones. Yes, the course can be compared to chocolate. Joke aside, Sonja is, in addition to all the above, very competent, thorough, always ready to explain even the 16th time, always in a good mood (even when she is not), always ready to joke. If the above is not enough, then future participants will be attracted by themed classes (for Halloween, etc.) in which we dance movements from belly dance in fusion with everything we consider dance and music that is not very oriental, but makes you move your hips, because you know that famous saying: "Hips don't lie!" 🙂" Dora

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"Sonja's classes are refreshing, a real boost for the mood - challenging, fun and often filled with laughter 😄

Very soon after enrolling in the course, I noticed big changes in body posture and pelvic flexibility, as well as gracefulness in movements, primarily the wrist (how nice it is to be irresistibly feminine while collecting dirty plates after lunch 😊).

From the very beginning, I liked the combination of the exoticism of distant lands and the playfulness that Sonja brings to her classes, all in a friendly and warm atmosphere, the class always lasts too short! Thank you!" Maja

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"I started dancing belly dance about ten years ago and constantly moved from one school to another because I was not satisfied, I always missed something and my expectations were not met. After a long break, I started dancing at the Apolon Centre with Sonja. Already after the first lesson I said… that's it… a great teacher meticulous, patient, nice, the atmosphere is great, a lot of laughter, but also a lot of work. Too bad I was wasting my time before, considering I’m not very young! All praise!" S.M. (53)

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"Belly dance classes with Sonja at the Apolon Centre are recreation, fun and relaxation at the same time, and Sonja is a great dance teacher, dedicated to her work, detailed and always in a good mood. I come with joy every time 😊" JTŠ

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"I would definitely recommend Sonja as an instructor to anyone who wants to try belly dancing! Here's why. I encountered belly dance before attending the course at the Apolon Centre and that is why I have something to compare with Sonja's course. Although I didn't come as a beginner, it was only there that I realized that I had learned a lot of things incorrectly before. And that is because Sonja is very professional and extremely interested in explaining everything to you. She is persistent in teaching you things correctly the way you should. There is no problem if something is not clear to you at the first or the second (or any…) attempt, you are always free to ask questions and ask for some movement to be repeated. Sonja is very thorough and prepares well for every class. At the same time, the atmosphere is always pleasant, relaxed and unpretentious, because, in fact, you came to relax and have fun, and with that feeling and a smile, you leave the class.

The combination of professionalism and a pleasant and friendly approach makes Sonja an ideal instructor!

The benefits of belly dancing are numerous. One of my personal favourites is that I have learned to breathe more properly. At a recent singing workshop this helped me a lot in learning the singing technique.

Belly dancing is very beneficial for women's health. It affects good mood. It makes you feel more feminine. Hence, psychophysical gain!

And, perhaps the most important of all, with belly dance you grow to love your body more and learn that, regardless of your physical shortcomings (or maybe because of them) you are unique and inimitable.

Recommendation!" Marijana

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"More than 10 years ago, I enrolled in a belly dance course. My first instructor was Sonja. Sonja is educated and very thorough in transferring knowledge in both the practical and the theoretical part of learning belly dance. Something very important, but often lacking in other instructors, is perseverance and perfectionism. Sonja drills to perfection and there is never enough repetition. And that is extremely important, especially with the initial steps, because it is difficult to correct wrongly learned movements later. In any case, it is a pleasure for me to attend Sonja's dance workshops because I know in advance that she will do them very thoroughly and with a lot of energy, and I feel great." Ana Špoljarić

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"Oriental dance enabled me find more joy in my body and my femininity. With oriental dance, I gained flexibility and elegance in movement, incredible energy and a positive experience in every dance class, as well as the absence of menstrual and premenstrual difficulties. I discovered muscles that I didn't know existed and that they have a function of well-being if they are worked with. In addition to the fact that I enjoy more in being a woman, I enjoy going to our classes for the sole energy that is present in the space and that spreads between us, the group members are respectful and supportive, regardless of our individual possibilities. In today's time, when the concept of woman and femininity is placed in distorted frames, there is nothing more beautiful than being who you are in the circle of beautiful women and persons, sharing that special experience and enjoying it. Sonja is an exceptional instructor who cheerfully conveys the knowledge she has, and it is very pleasant to attend her classes." A.M.

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"Belly dance classes with Sonja are one of the most beautiful dance experiences I've had. From the first moment I stepped into the studio, I felt her warmth and enthusiasm, which she immediately transfers to the entire group.

Sonja is a true inspiration, not only because of the knowledge and skills she undoubtedly possesses, but also because of the way she teaches.
 

She explains each movement clearly, with a lot of patience and attention to detail, but never forgets to emphasize that the most important thing is that we feel relaxed and connected to our bodies. She also makes sure that we perform the movements correctly, in order to avoid the possibility of any injury in the future.

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I would also like to especially highlight her beautiful costumes that she often wears in classes. This creates a special atmosphere and additionally motivates us to do our best and feel the magic of this dance.

 

The atmosphere in the class is always cheerful and supportive. Regardless of whether you are a complete beginner or already have experience, Sonja knows how to encourage everyone and help them progress.

 

Thank you, Sonja, for always reminding us how much joy, freedom and expression of femininity dance can be 💃

 

If you want a teacher who will inspire you, support you and always bring a touch of beauty and brilliance to every lesson, I heartily recommend that you join her and embark on your own journey of self-discovery through dance💖" Kristina

 

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"With our instructor Sonja, not a single day of practice is ordinary. Going to the dance class is a small celebration of life, colours, and decorations. Sonja is a source of inspiration, above all, which reflects the true essence of belly dancing.

 

For Sonja, dance is a lifestyle. And it shows. From the femininity she radiates, to the costumes she sometimes welcomes us in, and even on the most ordinary day, she carries a touch of glamour that is hard not to notice. The touch of her hand decorates the entire dance space - making it a kind of small stage.

 

A stage where discipline, order, but also playfulness, friendly energy reign. Sonja is a true dancer and knows how to (most importantly!) pass that on to her students.

 

I have attended many programs, both in Zagreb and online, and I can say with certainty that in Sonja, thank God - I found the right one.

 

From knowledge of the history of dance to classical role models - Sonja teaches us to be true little refined belly dancers. Not only that, her knowledge is so great that she hones our technique down to the smallest detail (something other courses have failed to do).

 

At Level 1, she has a well-organized program of elements that make up belly dancing, and the focus is on technique - but we are already dancing.

 

Sonja does not promise instant solutions - the beginner course does not instantly switch to choreography - but we build ourselves up little by little through dance. And that's okay. It is better to know how to dance than to learn choreography superficially and end up wasting time. Through Sonja's course, we gain knowledge and skill and competence for choreography.

 

Since I was little, I have been taking various rhythmic, ballet, and contemporary dance classes and I know how real instructors work and how much they insist on technique for our benefit. I have only found that with Sonja and I am extremely happy and grateful to God for the wonderful time I spend with her every Wednesday.

 

She is a true dancer - her dance moves are like walking on water, she exudes the refinement of the primal belly dance whose techniques she teaches, and such is her expression. She radiates - we absorb it like the sunbeams. And then at the end she says, head up, chest out - smile to the world!

 

Thank you Sonja!" Diana Badrov

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"I've never danced anywhere, and I wanted to – in fact, it was only later that I realized how much I wanted and needed to.

 

I "googled" the Smiling Hips school just before the pandemic, subscribed to the mailing list and completely forgot about it. After all that "pandemic madness", an email landed in my inbox with an invitation to a free introductory class! I rang the doorbell of the school, the wonderful teacher Sonja opened the door (in a beautiful costume!) and as they say: The rest is history!

 

When I enter the studio, I'm always surprised by how quickly my body recognizes that it's in a safe place. It's as if my shoulders drop by themselves, as if I exhale deeper than I have all day. The music takes over me, and in that first moment I think: "Here I am. Finally."

 

As we do the first movements, I feel like I'm coming back to myself — to that version of myself that I often forget in everyday life. There is something in the movements of the hips, arms and shoulders that reminds me that I am alive, that I am a woman, and that through this dance I finally embody it. It is that subtle, yet powerful, feminine energy that takes hold within you and carries you through every day, and that we have forgotten, suppressed.

 

Sonja! – yes, intentionally with an exclamation mark. A beautiful person, an extremely professional and patient teacher who speaks calmly, with a warmth that calms and creates a supportive atmosphere. She doesn't rush. She doesn't force and always repeats: "You can do it. At your own pace." And every time I succeed to perform a movement, I feel a small wave of pride, the quiet, inner one, which doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.

 

I look at the other wonderful women around me and realize that we are all here for the same reason — to return to ourselves, each in our own way. And in that shared space, in that feminine energy, there is something therapeutic.

 

When the class is over, I feel lighter. It's like I've shed a layer of tension I didn't even know I was carrying. And as I leave the studio, I think, "I need this. This is my little return to myself."" Mirjana

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Sonja's interview with tportal.hr (2022)

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Sonja's performance and interview at Drugačija televizija (2018)