Belly Dance Life

Originally from Brazil, Hayal is a professional dancer who has been passionate about oriental dance since she was 17. She taught and danced all over the world, as a soloist and in collaboration with other dancers. She worked as a dancer and choreographer with the Portuguese company Mahtab and participated in several shows of the American troupe Bellydance Evolution with Jillina. Hayal has already worked in Brazil, Portugal, New Zealand, Egypt, Italy, Germany, Spain and of course in France, where she lives today (Lyon).In this episode you will learn about:- Comparison between Brazilian dances and belly dance- What is functional training for belly dancers- How to improve your balance, arms mobility, and knees-hips connection- Frequency of functional training and how it works- How Hayal managed to teach a group choreographies for her show via online classesShow Notes to this episode:Find Hayal on Instagram, YouTube, FB, and website.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Delya is a French belly dancer currently residing inn Switzerland. She has been involved in oriental dance for 20 years, and currently works as a full—time performer. She is the resident dancer at a 5 stars hotel in Zurich in collaboration with musicians. She does projects together with a Syrian musician Zaher Assaf who studied music at the conservatory of Damas, Syria. They regularly organize charity shows for Syria. Delya is a mother of a 4-year old daughter, who inspired her to write 2 children books: :Nour in Lebanon” (by Del Perrier), and  “Danse mon amour (dance my love)”.In this episode you will learn about:- How Delya got inspired to belly dance by Natasha Atlas- Persuading venues that belly dance can by classy and elegant entertainment for their audience- Pregnancy and motherhood as a belly dancer- Writing belly dance books for small children- The idea of creating a dance podcast.Show Notes to this episode:Find Delya on Instagram, and FB. Also, check her books Nour in Lebanon, and Danse mon amour (dance my love), as well as her podcast.To book your stay in Cairo at Yasmina’s Bellydancers B’B, email [email protected], or contact via Instagram.Details about the Bellydance Bundle are available on Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Pedro Bonatto is an internationally acclaimed photographer and drummer. Born in Brazil and based in Canada, Pedro works in fine art and fashion photography, with works published in Elle Arabia, Fashion Canada and a number of magazines and books. As a drummer, Pedro focuses on Middle Eastern music and its relationship to cultures from aroundd the world. He is also the creator of the world music and dance group The Blue Dot Ensemble.Show Notes to this episode:Find Pedro Bonatto on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Artist Date show is available HERE. Also, check our special Cairo Dance Guide intensive at the Iana Dance Club.Previous Interviews with Pedro:Ep 171 - Pedro Bonatto: How to Approach a Drum Solo Improvisation & Stop Being Afraid of ItEp 112. Pedro Bonatto: Drummer, Photographer & Husband of a Belly DancerTo book your stay in Cairo at Yasmina’s Bellydancers B’B, email [email protected], or contact via Instagram.Details about the Bellydance Bundle are available on Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

We fall in love with belly dance for many different reasons. One of those reasons is freedom, and vast opportunities for creativity. But we may get carry away with dance experiments. Let’s listen to the stories of Jillina Carlano, Meher Malik , Mohamed Shahin and Aubre Hill on why it is important to study the roots of this dance form.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 22. Jillina Carlano: Building Community Around the GlobeEp 27. Meher Malik: Fusion, Confusion and Female ObjectificationEp 94. Mohamed Shahin: When Egyptian Dance Becomes Something Else...Ep 131. Aubre Hill: Transnational Dance FusionTo book your stay in Cairo at Yasmina’s Bellydancers B’B, email [email protected], or contact via Instagram.Details about the Bellydance Bundle are available on Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Farah Nasri is a UK qualified teacher in dance and foreign languages. She began her belly dance career when she was a college student in London, and in 2014 she moved to Cairo. Today her Farah Nasri Dance Labs is the place to find the highest quality classes in Egyptian dance, theory, history, language, and culture! She is an active performer in Cairo, organizer of special course Belly Dance on Location, creator of her training wear brand 3youni, among other projects.In this episode you will learn about:- How Farah was fired as a school teacher in UK because of her belly dance activities - Moving to Cairo to perform at famous Nile Maxim boat- Differences between boat, club, and cabaret shows- Producing designs locally in Cairo- Filming dance videos as a central educational point of Farah’s course Show Notes to this episode:Find Farah Nasri on Instagram, FB, and website. Also, check pages of her design brand 3youni, and course Belly Dance on Location.To book your stay in Cairo at Yasmina’s Bellydancers B’B, email [email protected], or contact via Instagram.Details about the Bellydance Bundle are available on Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Tiffany started the Bellydance Bundle in 2017, bringing together dancers who had content online to create one massive showcase for what was available at the time. Now, year over year she brings together teachers and builds communities around the idea of an at-home practice. From lectures on language and culture to dances of all different MENAT & fusion styles, Tiffany brings together groups of teachers each year to help dancers study more often, with less stress, at home, for an affordable price. A total nerd for the business side of dance, she loves to work with teachers to help them find new students, and as a total nerd for dance, she loves to study with as many teachers as she can. How fortunate to be able to combine both in each year's Bellydance Bundle! Stay tuned for this year's offering, available November 2nd - 10th.In this episode you will learn about:- Learning business models from other industries- What’s the use of having virtual assistant- Tips for hiring virtual assistant- Marketing tools that work in online space- What is Belly Dance Bundle, and how it benefits dancersShow Notes to this episode:Find Tiffany and Bellydance Bundle on Instagram, and website.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comTo book your stay in Cairo at Yasmina’s Bellydancers B’B, email [email protected], or contact via Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Shining is a performer, instructor and researcher of Egyptian traditional dances, whose work emphasizes the cultural and historical influences on the medium of dance in and from Egypt. She is the founder of http://www.banatmazin.com, a website dedicated to the legacy of the famous Luxor-based family, created in cooperation with Khyria Mazin to provide recorded lessons, interviews, song translations, family bios, streamable music and more, as learning resources for dancers around the world. She continues to perform, research and teach online and abroad since her move to Egypt in the summer of 2021.In this episode you will learn about:- The idea of documenting classes with Khyria, and how Shining moved to Egypt- The importance of studying ghawazee style- What the term ‘ghawazee’ actually means- How to differentiate music appropriate for ghawazee style- Different ways you can support Khyria MazinShow Notes to this episode:Banat Mazin Links & Contact Info:http://www.banatmazin.comhttps://www.facebook.com/KhyriaMazinhttps://www.instagram.com/thebanatmazin/Khyria (Arabic) Tel: +20 106 379 7012 Heba (English/Arabic) WhatsApp: +20 102 730 0494Shining (English) WhatsApp: +1 503 504 8774Visit Khyria's Home for Lessons: Sharia Salah Salem; Building 2, Luxor City, Luxor Governorate, Egypt 85951 (PM43+MM Luxor)Find Shining on FB, Instagram, and website.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This episode includes Iana’s lecture that was recorded specifically for the upcoming intensive at the Iana Dance Club “Cairo Dance Guide”.You will hear about Iana’s experience of attending a bunch of dance festivals in Cairo during summer 2023, and her observations about current trends present in the Egyptian dance style.Check the entire collection of available intensives at www.ianadanceclub.com/intensivesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Charafe is not just a dancer, he is one of the few, if not the only, male belly dancer in Morocco. He tries to lead a life as normal as possible in Casablanca. He teaches dance, makes choreographies for belly dancers, and participates in modern dance performances of his friends Ahlam and Wajdi. Charafe managed to establish dance classes in Casablanca, spreading awareness and education of various dance styles, including oriental and Moroccan folklore, within the country, as well as abroad.In this episode you will learn about:- Being a male dancer in Morocco- Seeking formal oriental dance classes- Variety of Moroccan dances, including Moroccan classical style- Cultural connections with Andalusia- Working with celebrities and TV showsShow Notes to this episode:Find Charafe on FB, and Instagram.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

We all love belly dance. But there is so much beyond oriental, in the field of folklore dances. Let’s listen to the stories of Apsara Afsanesara, Nada El Masriya , Samantha Burnstein and Gigi Dilsah, who found joy in exploring various folklore dances of the Near East and North Africa.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 20. Apsara Afsanesara: What Do You Know About Persian Dance?Ep 28. Nada El Masriya: How Studying Folklore Can Make You a Better Belly DancerEp 244 - Nada El Masriya - Prioritizing Quality Over QuantityEp 38. Samantha Burnstein: Can Folklore Be Authentic on Stage?Ep 70. Gigi Dilsah: What Does It Take to Be a Belly Dancer in TurkeyDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Zara is an Egyptian dancer currently based in Cairo. She has worked professionally as a dancer for over 17 years, including last 6 years specifically in Egypt. Zara has stared in various music videos and Bollywood films. Most recently she was featured in a film together with famous shaabi singer Shaaban Abdel Rahim and in a Ramadan special TV drama featuring Dina and Haifa Web. Her dancing has taken her around the world - Zara has performed not only in the UK and Egypt but also at a vast number of East African countries including: Kenya (in both Nairobi and Mobassa) and Tanzania (in both Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar). Other countries she has worked in include Pakistan and Malta.In this episode you will learn about:- Being a belly dancer as an Egyptian woman- Different types of cabaret venues in Cairo- Personal insecurities and confidence on and off stage- Another way of seeing Mahraganat, or why it got such a bad reputation- How she started her magazine and belly dance storeShow Notes to this episode:Find Zara on FB, Instagram, and website. Join her magazine subscription HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Having a multidisciplinary background and an unending thirst for all things dance, Diana Soto has performed in belly dance companies as well as flamenco and modern dance companies. She believes that the best innovation is rooted in tradition, so she has travelled to Egypt, Turkey, Spain and lived for a while in Beirut to study in depth the roots of the dances. Originally from Puerto Rico, Diana is currently based in Houston, and fully involved in active gigging life.In this episode you will learn about:- Using belly dance as a distraction during cancer recovery- The experience of living in Beirut- Pivoting from teaching to performing industry- Getting into corporate jobs after full-time belly dance career- Tips for solid marketing strategiesShow Notes to this episode:Find Diana Soto on FB, Instagram, and website. Join her newsletter HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Khaled Mahmoud is an Egyptian dancer from Cairo, currently based in London, UK. He specializes in oriental Raqs Sharki style, although his knowledge is also deeply routed in all kinds of Egyptian folklore. His style is very energetic and graceful at the same time. Khaled was a star at the International Bellydance Congress in the UK, and he is very much in demand teaching and performing in various festivals around the world.In this episode you will learn about:- Who are Egyptian women called ma’lema, kodia zar and el-osta - Practical example of why you should learn folklore as a belly dancer- Finding his own path as a dancer- Separating personal and artistic life- Khaled’s decision to retire from dance as his main professionShow Notes to this episode:Find Khaled Mahmoud on FB, and Instagram.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This episode includes Iana’s lecture that was recorded specifically for the upcoming intensive at the Iana Dance Club “Cairo Dance Guide”.You will hear about Iana’s experience of attending a bunch of dance festivals in Cairo during summer 2023, and a collection of practical tips that would be useful for your future activities at festivals.Check the entire collection of available intensives at www.ianadanceclub.com/intensivesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Meet Passant Gemeay, a self-taught Egyptian bellydance teacher, choreographer & ladies-only performer. She has fiercely joined the world of dance. not knowing that it would become her ultimate passion in life. Having a great experience by attending classes and connecting with star dancers, she managed to have her own attractive style mastering all types of this art, and aiming to teach women who think they can’t dance.In this episode you will learn about:- Different kinds of belly dance classes in Cairo- The popularity of belly dance classes at gyms- Benefits of belly dancing- Teaching belly dance to Egyptians and foreigners- The influence of dance festivalsShow Notes to this episode:Find Passant on FB, and Instagram. Video version of this interview is available HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Mohamed Shahin is an inspirational instructor, world-renowned performer, and challenging choreographer of Egyptian Oriental Dance. A native of Cairo, Egypt, Mr. Shahin discovered his passion for Egyptian Dance at the young age of fifteen. Throughout Shahin’s childhood, he was fascinated by all forms of dance, and after receiving his degree as Mechanical Engineer, he was at cross road to choose between becoming a full-time engineer or pursue his life as a professional dancer / dance teacher. Shahin decided that he would dedicate himself to the Egyptian Dance. After many years of the intense study of various Middle Eastern styles of dance, Modern dance, and Ballet- Shahin developed a complex methodology of instruction that has made him a Master teacher beloved to his students worldwide, today. Shahin currently lives in New York City but has been touring the world full-time since 2004.In this episode you will learn about:- The story of Cleopatra festival, and its first successful edition in Egypt- Differences between dance festival and intensive- What is typical Egyptian show, and communication between dancer and musicians- Challenges in organizing festivals in USA and Egypt- Mohamed’s new music album, and the process of creating songs for dancersShow Notes to this episode:Find Mohamed Shahin on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Events: Cleopatra festival, Dance Like An Egyptian intensive, and NYCairo.Previous interviews with Mohamed Shahin:Ep 94. Mohamed Shahin: When Egyptian Dance Becomes Something Else...Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Marta Korzun is an internationally recognized bellydance teacher from Ukraine. She is acknowledged for her unique teaching method and clear and concise explanations, and regularly holds training workshops worldwide. She started her career in 2006 by taking part in many competitions in Ukraine and abroad, including Cairo. She has been titled the Bellydance Champion of the World (2011), European Bellydancer (2011), and 2nd winner at “Nile Group Cairo" (2010), just to name a few. Today Marta is a respected judge at many prestigious belly dance competitions, and coach of the World Champions in oriental dance.In this episode you will learn about:- How lockdowns forced Marta to review her self-identity as a dancer, and as a person- Dealing with inner critique, and overcoming the struggle of constant comparison- Why she decided to travel less than before in her dance career- The decision to move to Canada- Comparing belly dance scenes in Ukraine and CanadaShow Notes to this episode:Find Marta Korzun on Instagram, FB, Youtube. Previous interviews with Marta:Ep 01. Marta Korzun: About Competitions and Individual StyleEp 77. Marta Korzun: How to Become a Dance TeacherDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

As much as dance brings happiness to your life, sometimes there are moments when you need to take actions and do some changes. Let’s listen to the stories of Luna of Cairo, Joana Saahirah, Anjelica Scannura and Aradia of Las Vegas on how they pivoted their lives and artistic adventures.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 17. Luna of Cairo: Is Belly Dance Life in Cairo Always a "Fairy Tale"?Ep 165. Luna of Cairo: Life Beyond DanceEp 76. Joana Saahirah: Egyptian Dance As The Tool For Self-Knowledge And EmpowermentEp 172. Joana Saahirah: Running Dance Courses OnlineEp 79. Anjelica Scannura: From Flamenco to Belly Dance to Stand-Up ComedyEp 101. Aradia of Las Vegas: How to Succeed as a Full-Time PerformerDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Kareem Gad is an Egyptian master teacher, co-founder and co-director of Bell’Masry Dance Company based in Paris, France. Since childhood, his curiosity about art led him to discover and study the art of singing, music, poetry, percussion, acting and dance. He was a solo dancer, coach and choreographer at the official troupe of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth, solo dancer at the Egyptian National Theater, member of the teachers team in Tawasol Foundation of Arts, choreographer for the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts's Graduation Projects in the Egyptian Academy of Arts. Kareem has a Bachelor of Arts and History of the Civilizations of Ancient and Modern Near East. He did a lot of research in Egyptian folkloric heritage and oriental dance. Kareem also wrote and composed many successful songs for the oriental community.In this episode you will learn about:- How Kareem got involved in dance activities- His years at the troupe of the Egyptian Ministry of youth- Being in Egyptian folklore and contemporary dance fields- Transition from Egypt to France- The concept of new classical songsShow Notes to this episode:Find Kareem Gad on Instagram, Facebook, and website. Information about Bell’Masry Dance Company and dance tours is available HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Morjana is a professional dancer, choreographer, researcher, teacher, as well as a percussionist (darbuka). She is currently based in Egypt, although she also travels extensively all around the world. She is a winner and award-recipient for many dance competitions, as well as a participant of several music projects in Cairo, including Estabena, a music project playing folk music from the Mediterranean area, Ehna Talata and Said El Artist music group. Morjana also organizes a specialized tours to Egypt for dancers interested in exploring local culture, music and dance.In this episode you will learn about:- How Morjana learnt Arabic language- First visit to Egypt: expectations vs reality- Various local traditions and how they stay alive in Egypt- Studying Tahtib practices- Morjana’s guided tours for dancersShow Notes to this episode:Find Morjana on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This episode includes Iana’s lecture that was recorded specifically for the new intensive at the Iana Dance Club “Archetypes of Egyptian Goddesses in Dance”.Feel like a goddess on stage with the help of Egyptian mythology! It's about your stage presence, and how the power of stories and myths can help you feel more confident, open and connected during your dance.Check the full intensive on Archetypes of Egyptian Goddesses in Dance at www.ianadanceclub.com/intensivesShow Notes to this episode:Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Check the full intensive on Archetypes of Egyptian Goddesses in Dance at www.ianadanceclub.com/intensives. This intensive was inspired by and created in collaboration with the Museu Egípcio e Rosacruz in Curitiba, Brazil. To learn more about the museum, visit their website at https://museuegipcioerosacruz.org.brFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Today we are having a conversation with the team of Taqseem Institute of Cairo.Taqseem Institute is an integrated dance institute/lab with the main objective of providing increased access to culture (Egyptian Music and Dance), improve the environment where those expressions can thrive and contribute to social cohesion, targeting females; the segment most compromised in the sector of art. Aiming to generate a tangible impact on the influence of heritage dance in modern Egyptian society.Amie Sultan is the founder and dance program director of Taqseem. The team also includes Safaa Saeed, Aya Saada, Menna Emam and Fagr Amien.In this episode you will learn about:- The current team of the Taqseem Institute, and how they got involved in the project- Hesitations regarding choosing dance as a career in Egypt- What is the real Egyptian dance- Struggles in the research process- The educational process and structure of the Taqseem Institute.Show Notes to this episode:Find more about Taqseem Institute on Instagram, and website. Previous interview with the founder Amie Sultan is available HERE. Connect with the team of the Taqseem Institute via Instagram: Safaa Saeed, Aya Saada, Menna Emam and Fagr Amien.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Yasmina, sometimes known as 'The English Rose of Cairo', has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of Egyptian oriental dance. Originally from the UK she spent many years travelling and dancing her way around the Middle East before settling in Cairo in 1995. Here she performed with her orchestra for eight consecutive years, appearing at major Cairo venues such as Meridien Heliopolis, Safir, Pyramisa and the Semiramis Intercontinental hotels, the Nile Maxime, Tivoli Heliopolis, as well as hundreds of weddings and parties in Cairo and around Egypt. She has also worked extensively as a photo-journalist in Cairo and writes regularly for several Egyptian and foreign publications. Based at her home beside the Giza pyramids she is the coordinator and co-host for several international belly dance tours each year, and provides back-up to both groups and individuals in their adventures in Egypt.In this episode you will learn about:- Differences between dance contracts in Gulf area and work in Cairo- Yasmina’s decision to stop active performance career, but still be based in Egypt- The evolution of Cairo dance scene since 1995 till now- Where can you do belly dance photoshoots in Cairo- Yasmina’s unique Bed & Breakfast accommodations for dancers.Show Notes to this episode:Find Yasmina of Cairo on Instagram, Facebook, and website. Classes and tours with Yasmina via bellydance-now.com. For details regarding Yasmina’s Belly Dancers B&B email to [email protected] and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Amie Sultan is an Egyptian belly dancer and classical ballerina. She was born and grew up in Singapore to an Egyptian family that was working extensively in South East Asia. Having established herself first as a successful ballet dancer, she has toured across the world dancing in Swan Lake, La Dame Aux Camellias, Jeune Homme Et La Mort, La Bayadere and Raymonda. In her quest to add a new layer to her dance repertoire, it is Amie's goal as a performance artist to restore the glamour and brilliance of the belly dance technique that was at its height in the 1940's and 50's. In this episode you will learn about:- How Amie transitioned from a professional ballet career to the belly dance world- Difficulties of being a dancer in Egypt- Bringing this dance to institutions such as museums.- Creating the Taqseem Institute and Tarab Collective- Relationships between belly dancers that affects the reputation of the danceShow Notes to this episode:Find Amie Sultan on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. More info about Taqseem Institute HERE.Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Eva Charkina is the winner of the DariyaM Cup 2018 in the category “Youth. Lovers.”, winner of the competition “The way to the stars” 2018, and many other Ukrainian and international dance events. She has a university degree in modern choreography from the Kyiv University of Culture. Currently living in Kyiv, Eva stays as an active dancer and teacher both in Ukraine and abroad.In this episode you will learn about:- Her first belly dance performance after the beginning of the war in Ukraine- Creating choreographies for competitions- The importance of a dance repertoire- Finding individuality as a dancer- Teaching classesShow Notes to this episode:Find Eva Charkina and her events on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube.Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

We haven’t had many of best of compilation episodes this year so far, so it’s time to fix it! Let’s talk about the nutrition.. You will hear from Cassandra Fox, Jillina Carlano, Alla Kushnir, and Mercedes Nieto.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 15. Cassandra Fox: Healthy Does Not Have a FaceEp 31. Jillina Carlano: How Food Can Influence Your DanceEp 40. Alla Kushnir: Not Only Luck Makes You Number 1Ep 163. Mercedes Nieto: Finding Home Inside Your BodyJoin SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineYou can find details about Joana Saahirah online school and available courses at www.joanasaahirah.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Silvia Brazzoli is a professional dancer, instructor, yoga teacher, painter, and pizza lover based in Italy. She found her biggest love for oriental dance at the age of 18. Since then she has been dancing and teaching professionally all around the world. The growth of a dancer is a never-ending journey and Silvia is constantly researching, traveling and training in oriental dance and other dance styles, influencing the development of her own style.In this episode you will learn about:- How dance and yoga can compliment each other- Silvia’s transition into a professional dance life- Sharing knowledge as a teacher- Teaching ongoing classes vs one-time workshops- How to be yourself through danceShow Notes to this episode:Find Silvia Brazzoli and her events on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and website.Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineYou can find details about Joana Saahirah online school and available courses at www.joanasaahirah.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Native Egyptian Nada El Masriya grew up belly dancing fully immersed within the rich cultural and historical environment of metropolitan Cairo. Her first formal dance training began early, with her high school’s folkloric troupe. At Cairo University, Nada earned a degree in Egyptian Law, minored in the History of Egyptian Culture and Dance Traditions. At early age Nada began her intensive training and performance with the prestigious Reda Troupe School. In 2002 she emigrated to Canada inspired by a passionate desire to accurately preserve and pass on her rich historic native Egyptian culture.In this episode you will learn about:- The benefits of cutting back and prioritizing your projects- How to approach your hesitation to raise prices- Mindset trick of stop being afraid of competitions- Why smaller niche can bring bigger income- Nada’s two big festivals in Egypt and CanadaShow Notes to this episode:Find Nada El Masriya and her events on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and website.Previous interview with Nada:Ep 28. Nada El Masriya: How Studying Folklore Can Make You a Better Belly DancerYou can find details about Joana Saahirah online school and available courses at www.joanasaahirah.comJoin SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Oleksandra Kovalova is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and certified judge. She is a director of oriental dance school Amberly based in Zhytomyr (Ukraine), and an organizer of the big international festival Yalla Bina. Oleksandra is a winner of Nile Group competition, as well as a mentor for her award-winning students. After living and teaching classes in Germany during past year, she is currently back to Ukraine, and just managed to run a very success edition of her dance festival, gathering dancers from all over Ukraine.In this episode you will learn about:- How war in Ukraine influenced Oleksandra’s life and dance activities- Teaching belly dance classes in Germany- Why continuing dance activities in Ukraine is so important - The nuances of festival organization considering the current situation in Ukraine- How dancers’ approach to belly dance is changingShow Notes to this episode:Find Oleksandra Kovalova on Instagram and Facebook.You can find details about Joana Saahirah online school and available courses at www.joanasaahirah.comJoin SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This episode includes Iana’s lecture that was recorded specifically for her recent Mahraganat intensive at the Iana Dance Club.Since Mahraganat has a very particular mood, this style may feel uncomfortable for many dancers. Diving into such topic can be a great opportunity to train your acting skills, loosen up emotional boundaries related to shyness, and get out of your comfort zone. In addition, we are gonna work on a very fun and dynamic choreo which will provide you a bit of cardio workout. :)Check out the full intensive on Mahraganat: https://www.ianadanceclub.com/intensives/mahraganat-(street-shaabi)Show Notes to this episode:Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Yunseo is a young talented belly dancer from South Korea. She is the award recipient of the Midas Goldentouch Bellydance Competition, Reina Oriental Dance Festival, Elkaff Festival, Malaysia World Oriental Dance Art Festival, and many others. Her beautiful unique style blends elements of traditional belly dance mixed with contemporary and other non-belly dance genres.In this episode you will learn about:- Belly dance in Korea- The importance of competitions- Differences between competitions in Korea and Europe- Overcoming failure at contests- Mixing belly dance with other stylesShow Notes to this episode:Find Yunseo on Instagram and, Facebook.Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Anusch Alawerdian is an Armenian oriental dance performer, instructor and choreographer. She has been interested in dance since she was little, taking up several dance courses like ballet, folk dance and jazz. At the age of seventeen Anusch fell in love with the oriental dance style and traveled the world in search of the best dance instructors to teach her the art of bellydance. She opened her own oriental dance school in the Netherlands in 2002. She is now based in the United Arab Emirates and performs all over the world. In 2011 she also established an International dance festival “Summer Bellydance Festival” in Netherlands. Currently, Anush focuses all her energy on teaching activities and developing her project “Bellydance Abu Dhabi”.In this episode you will learn about:- Having 250 students once she started teaching in the Netherlands- Organizing a festival while living in a different country- Teaching belly dance classes in Abu Dhabi- Receiving UAE golden visa for artists- Becoming a local influencerShow Notes to this episode:Find Anusch Alawerdian on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Her classes in Abu Dhabi HERE.Join SharQui - The Bellydance Workout at sharqui.com/onlineDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Linda Hathor began her studies in belly dance in 1998, in Paraná (Brazil), and since then, she has dedicated herself professionally to this art as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and director of the Hathor Group of Oriental Dances. In 2003, she received her professional registration by the Union of Artists of Paraná . For several consecutive years she remained among the first places in the National Mercado Persa Competition, the most important oriental dance competition in Brazil. She also became the professional Brazilian champion of Belly Dance in the 2011 contest. Gathering her knowledge in the area of Performing Arts with oriental dance, she developed her own methodology to work with expression and emotion through dance. Linda was invited by Dunia and Hossam Ramzy to join their tour in Brazil in 2003.In this episode you will learn about:- Choosing Performing Arts over a Dance degree- Linda’s special methodology for teaching emotional expression in dance- Traps of artistic ego- The popularity of belly dance in Brazil prior to O’Clone TV series- How Linda started her festival before she even established her dance schoolShow Notes to this episode:Find Linda Hathor on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. International Festival Hathor: website.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a continuation of our special series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Today you will hear three interviews at once! Enjoy these inspiring conversations with Fiona, Soukaina and Emily where they share their belly dance transformations with us.Show Notes to this episode:More interviews from our special series “Student Voices” are available HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Meher Malik is a famous belly dancer from Delhi, India, although she grew up in the Middle East, where she lived for 17 years. She moved to India in 2006 after finishing her schooling and went on to study fashion design at NIFT, Delhi. A few months into the course, Meher realized it was dance that was her true calling. She received huge recognition after her performances on India's Got Talent. In July 2011, Meher Malik and her students were selected on Hrithik Roshan's Just Dance Reality Show aired on Star Plus. Meher is also a director of Banjara School of Dance in New Delhi, an India’s Premier belly dance school.In this episode you will learn about:- Drastic shift in Meher’s artistic focus over the last 5 years- Spirituality and sexuality of belly dance- Motherhood- Using dance to process deep traumas- Meher’s teaching approach and current programsShow Notes to this episode:Find Meher Malik on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Banjara School of Dance: website.Previous episode with Meher Malik: Ep 27. Meher Malik: Fusion, Confusion and Female ObjectificationCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Nisaa (Heather D. Ward) is a Middle Eastern dance instructor, performer, and researcher based in St. Louis, Missouri. Nisaa’s mission is to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the complexity, diversity, and beauty of Middle Eastern dance forms. As a researcher, Nisaa focuses on the history of Egyptian dance and its professional practitioners. Her investigations into the transition from awalim and ghawazi dance styles to classical raqs sharqi at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries led to the publication of her first book, Egyptian Belly Dance in Transition: The Raqs Sharqi Revolution, 1890-1930, in 2018.In this episode you will learn about:- Sensuality, sexuality and eroticism in belly dance- How Nisaa got involved into researching belly dance- What is the difference between awalim and ghawazee- Did Badia Masabni invent raqs sharki?- The term ‘raqs sharqi’Show Notes to this episode:Find Nisaa (Heather D. Ward) on Instagram, FB, YouTube, and website.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Hayam Sokar is a midlife transformational coach, born and based in Egypt. She is a certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner accreted from the American Board, and certified practitioner of Accessing Personal Genius from ISNS, as well as PEAT Processor. She helps women to find clarity in life, go through midlife crisis, re-evaluate who they are and who they want to become, and discover truths about themselves with the goal of becoming happier and build a more positive life. She actively incorporates dance classes into her coaching process.In this episode you will learn about:- Love-hate relationships with belly dance in Egypt- What is a midlife crisis- Signs of a middle age crisis- How exactly belly dance benefit women who experience midlife crisis- Hayam’s coaching processShow Notes to this episode:Find Hayam Sokar on Instagram, FB, and website.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a new solo episode with Iana! Last months I had my ever first Vipassana course, and I’d like to share some lessons that I had to remind myself during that 10-day meditation course. They perfectly apply to the process of dance training too, so I hope you will enjoy and use them in your own practice.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club. Artist Date show is available to watch/listen to HERE.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Nataliya Goncharova has a university degree in Education, and is experienced in working with kids. Her students are champions of Ukraine, winners of the Belly Dance World Cup and many other prestigious awards. Nataliya co-organized the Dance with Stars Ukraine project, providing free online classes for Ukrainian belly dance students (many of whom are children), while also gathers donations from non-Ukrainian participants for families who escaped temporarily occupied territories during the war in Ukraine.In this episode you will learn about:- Current realities of dance life in Ukraine- Dance With Stars Ukraine project- Nuances of teaching children- Main mistakes in flexibility training- Benefits of doing a belly vacuum practiceShow Notes to this episode:Find Nataliya Goncharova on Instagram, FB, and YouTube.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu) is a member of the Congress on Research in Dance (C.O.R.D.), the Society of Dance History Scholars (S.D.H.S.), the International Council on Dance – UNESCO (C.I.D.) and the International Council on Health, Physical Education Sport & Dance – UNESCO (ICHPER-SD). Morocco was awarded two grants by the State Council on the Arts for her choreography in 1972 and 1981, 3 NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Community Service Grants, 3 Summer Program Grants, a Materials for the Arts Grant and an Arts Exposure Grant.Since 1964, Morocco has written for several publications in her field and been reprinted in dance, medical and feminist publications internationally. A true pioneer in the field, she taught a 3-credit course in Middle Eastern Dance and Culture at the State University of New York (Purchase, NY) in the mid 1970s.In this episode you will learn about:- How Morocco came to a dance audition not knowing it was a belly dance show- The story of her stage name- How ancients the belly dance is- Researching deeper and reviewing mistakes in your own work- Teaching Oriental Dance at universityShow Notes to this episode:Find Morocco (Aunt Rocky) on FB, and her website.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Pedro Bonatto is an internationally acclaimed photographer and drummer. Born in Brazil, Pedro works in fine art and fashion photography, with works published in Elle Arabia, Fashion Canada and a number of magazines and books. Pedro is also a drummer focusing on Middle Eastern music and the leader of the world music and dance band Blue Dot.Iana Komarnytska is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and passionate content creator helping dancers navigate their dance lives. She is a graduate from the professional dance program at York University (Canada), host of the Belly Dance Life podcast, creator of the educational online platform the Iana Dance Club, author of numerous articles, and winner of Star Bellydancer Canada 2014 among other international competitions. In this episode you will learn about:- Building business systems for your teaching activities- The importance of confidence for a dance teacher- How to check if you are ready to teach- Tips for promoting your classes- Nurturing your newsletter listShow Notes to this episode:Find Pedro Bonatto on FB, Instagram, and YouTube, his website.Previous interview with Pedro Bonatto:Ep 171 - Pedro Bonatto: How to Approach a Drum Solo Improvisation & Stop Being Afraid of ItEp 112. Pedro Bonatto: Drummer, Photographer & Husband of a Belly DancerDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a new solo episode with Iana! Sharing 10 practical tips that I use to memorize choreographies faster. These tips will be especially useful during workshop settings, when you need to learn a dance piece within very limited amount of time.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Check out Stackable Drills for your daily practice at www.stackabledrills.com.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Oreet has over 25 years of experience in fitness and dance. She grew up with Yemeni folk and Oriental dance and has a degree in Contemporary Dance from SUNY College at Brockport. SharQuí has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN, among other outlets. Some of Oreet’s bellydance awards are: Bellydancer of the Year, and Middle Eastern Dance Champion of North America. She’s led packed classes worldwide and has worked with thousands of men and women to realize their fitness potential. In this episode you will learn about:- Building business systems for your teaching activities- The importance of confidence for a dance teacher- How to check if you are ready to teach- Tips for promoting your classes- Nurturing your newsletter listShow Notes to this episode:Find Oreet on website, Instagram, YouTube, and FB. Check her new FB group HERE.Previous interview with Oreet:Ep 67. Oreet: Belly Dance as a Fitness WorkoutCheck out Stackable Drills for your daily practice at www.stackabledrills.com.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Diana Garnik is the director of DiDance Studio in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. She was winner of the AlHayat Festival, recipient of the 3rd place at Raqs of Course Festival by Randa Kamel, and many other competitions. Diana is famous for her dynamic modern Iraqi performances, just as much as her love for Khalidji, shaabi, tabla solo, mejance, classical and lyrical songs. You may really enjoy having your next show choreographed by Diana.In this episode you will learn about:- How stress influences creativity- Overcoming creative blocks- Creating choreos for yourself vs for others - Preparing workshop choreographies- Starting teaching activities at 12 years-oldShow Notes to this episode:Follow Diana Garnik on FB, YouTube, and Instagram.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out Stackable Drills for your daily practice at www.stackabledrills.com.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Born in Cartagena, Colombia, Horacio Cifuentes started dancing at the age of five. He first studied Flamenco at the Academy of Maestro Realito in Seville, Spain. Later he also danced with the Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Colombia. He followed with classical ballet in Poland, and later gained a scholarship to the prestigious American Ballet Theatre School in New York. He eventually joined the San Francisco Ballet where he was featured as a soloist. He discovered oriental dance at Magana Baptiste’s Royal Bellydancing Academy in San Francisco where he also studied yoga with the great master Walt Baptiste. Together with his wife, Beata, Horacio travels the world performing and teaching.In this episode you will learn about:- Horacio’s professional ballet journey- Using yoga to conquer stage nervousness- Struggles of combining active ballet and belly dance performance careers- His book “Confessions of a Male Belly Dancer”- Aging as a dancerShow Notes to this episode:Follow Horacio Cifuentes on FB, YouTube, and websiteDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out Stackable Drills for your daily practice at www.stackabledrills.com.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

As the closing episode of 2022 I’d like to share a compilation of some of my favorite moments from the interviews of this year. You will hear from Gitza, Semsemah, Mahaila El Helwa, and Tatiana Tarasova.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 183. Gitza: Dance Movement TherapyEp 188. Semsemah: Don’t Be a Superficial DancerEp 203. Mahaila El Helwa: Finding Your Truth in DanceEp 209. Tatiana Tarasova: Know Your UniquenessDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Oscar Flores began in Oriental dance in 1995 and since 2000 has been dedicated to teaching this art around the world. He has created a personal style joining techniques developed while studying other arts such as theater, musical theater, flamenco, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tribal fusion, Indian dances, theatrical jazz, psychodrama, and others. In 2005, he opened his first studio in Buenos Aires and in 2007 his first school called Alkimiah, Fusion of Talents. In 2010, he founded his dance company with which worked until 2016, when he moved to China to become part of the Bellydance China project. Today he lives in Spain, but continues to work around the world in important artistic events.In this episode you will learn about:- Oscar’s online campus for belly dancers- His dream of creating a belly dance university- The benefits of having an international certification- Fitness activities for belly dancers- Diversification of activities and various projects Oscar is currently working on Show Notes to this episode:Follow Oscar Flores on Instagram, FB, and YouTube.Previous interview with Oscar:Ep 25. Oscar Flores: I Needed an Opportunity to Live My DreamEp 116. Oscar Flores: It's Time to Be RebornDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a new solo episode with Iana! We often make grand plans but fail on showing up and performing them. Or sometimes we do show up but don't put 100% of our energy into the task. How to make sure that your future New Year resolution list won’t transform by the end of January into a simple wish list of dance habits you’d like to have.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Book recommendation: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Valerick Molinary has started her bellydance training when she was 13 yrs old in San Juan, Puerto Rico. By the time she was 18, Valerick started performing in a Palestinian-owned restaurant. She has a BA in Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature, the influence of which can be seen in her creative and poetic approach to choreography, dance teaching and production. In 2015 Valerick began producing the Lebanese Love Affair, an annual event in Miami dedicated to providing a platform for dancers to study directly from renowned and dedicated Arab dance artists, all in a big celebration of love for Raks Sharky and the countries that gave birth to it.In this episode you will learn about:- Unity of personal and artistic lives- Channeling intimate emotions into dance- Valerick work on the video dance piece Trapped- How mentorship for other dancers work- Amazing new projects hosted by ValerickShow Notes to this episode:Follow Valerick Molinary via Instagram, FB, YouTube, and website.Previous interview with Valerick: Ep 11. Valerick Molinary: Different Ways to Develop Your Belly Dance CareerDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Anna Chepets is a young international star from Ukraine. She traveled all around the world with shows and workshops, won multiple international competitions, and has been judging at numerous events. She is the winner of Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival in Cairo in 2017 in the Master Professional category, and previously 2014, 2015, 2016 in other categories. At the age of 12, she was invitated to teach at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival. Today Anna is a co-organizer of the ‘Bagira The Way To The Stars’ Festival, head of her own dance school, and she is an inspiring teacher for many dancers around the world.In this episode you will learn about:- Starting belly dance classes at 8 years-old- How her love for belly dance transformed into a profession- Teaching young children- Dealing with students’ parents- Bright and dark sides of belly dance competitionsShow Notes to this episode:Follow Anna Chepets via Instagram, FB and YouTube.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast