Belly Dance Life

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about the structure of a 20-min belly dance program: how to survive as a performer, and how to keep it interesting for your audience.Show Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aida Bogomolova is a world-famous oriental dance artist and an experienced teacher and choreographer. A style icon, Aida was invited to such countries as Russia, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, Greece, among others. She was born in Russia and currently lives in Italy.Aida started dancing when she was 6 years-old. Different types of dance classes have helped her in the creation of her own unique style in Arabic dance, which is followed by many dancers around the world. Her style is a combination of softness and strength, elegance and emotionality, smoothness and clarity of technique at the same time. It is a symbiosis of traditional Arab dance with Aida‘s personal perception of music and form expressed in motion.In this episode you will learn about:- How Aida started learning belly dance- Self-criticism as a tool for growth- Aida’s training process- Funny stories from touring life, and performance tips- Finding your own sources of inspirationShow Notes to this episode:Find Aida Bogomolova on Instagram, FB, Youtube and her website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about common mistakes in the communication process with your potential clients!Show Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Tannaz is an inspiring artist, coach and choreographer. Inspired by Persian poems and music she works towards her goal of popularizing Iranian culture through movement and art. She shares the joy and deep connection to her soul with Persian Classical, as well as whirling dances. Tannaz explores both traditional and modern interpretations of the ancient art forms.In this episode you will learn about:- The role of Persian poetry in dance- Realities of teaching dance in Iran- Tannaz’s love to whirling dances- Representation of Persian dance on social media- Tannaz’s goals and artistic dreamsShow Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Tannaz on Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about restaurant gigs: why to do and how to get into…Show Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Cherine is an international performing Oriental Dance Artist specializing in the classical style of dance, Raqs Sharqi, for over 20 years. She is known for her elegance, subtle & delicate style, precise technique & deep understanding of nuances of the dance. She knows the Arabic language and is familiar with Arab culture due to her origins. Cherine has a long-term experience of performing in Cairo with a live band. She was dancing at the prestigious Mena House Hotel for many years, and worked with Raqia Hassan, appearing on many of her instructional DVDs. At that time she was a star of “Ahlan wa Sahlan” festival as well. Thanks to her broad experience of dancing in different settings (big stage, restaurants, weddings, festivals), Cherine is an invaluable source of knowledge both for theater dancers and for performers who want to interact with a live Arabic audience.In this episode you will learn about:- Musicality in Oriental dance- What is the essence of the Egyptian Style- Cherine’s experience of living in Cairo- Life after Cairo- Different approaches to the dance lifestyleShow Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Cherine on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about the nature of our dance services, and the main reason why clients hire us. :)Show Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about business mindset, shame around selling your art, and waiting for jobs and clients to appear from nowhere… :)Show Notes to this episode:Check Business Course for Belly Dancers | Everything About Gigs: www.ianadance.com/businessGet a FREE Step-By-Step Guide here: www.ianadance.com/guideFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Maris has been interested in oriental dance since 2005 when she started taking her first belly dance classes. In 2012 she started teaching regular classes in Estonia and later workshops in Europe and Egypt, where she started her daily shows (belly dance, folklore, international dance) in the summer of 2013 in Sharm el Sheikh with Vanessa Show Productions. In 2016 she worked a dance contract in Dubai’s famous Bab Al Shams hotel and after that she headed to Cairo where she resides to this day working in high class weddings, various events, prestigious discos and Nile cruise boats with her band. In Cairo she played parts in different series and danced in video clips, the latest and most famous ones being "Maltashet el 2loub" by Mostafa Shawki.In this episode you will learn about:- Overcoming shyness with belly dance- Cultural differences between Estonia and Egypt- Comparing dance shows in Sharm el Sheikh, Cairo and Dubai- Maris’s daily dance practice- How Maris adapts to the current lockdown situationShow Notes to this episode:Find Maris on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and her online classes at www.patreon.com/dancewithmaris.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Irina Akulenko is a New York City-based performer, teacher and choreographer, with a burning passion for arts of all genres. Since 2001, Irina explored both Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Odissi and Flamenco. She now enjoys fusing these art forms as well as everything in between. Irina completed successful tours around the world, teaching and performing in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Taiwan, Colombia, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, France, Iceland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She released three successful instructional DVDs with World Dance New York ("Tribal Fusion Workout", "Diamond Cut" and "Sculpted Blossom") and two instructional series of videos with the popular website “Howcast.com”. Additionally, her performances were featured in the “Fantasy Bellydance: Cult of Myth” DVD, “Fantasy Bellydance: Tarot” DVD and she could also be seen on Bellyqueen’s “Bellydance NYC: The Ultimate Fusion Experience” DVD. Irina is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers with Bellyqueen Dance Theater. She is the choreographer and performer for the project "Bella Gaia" and an alumni member of Alchemy Dance Theater. While at home, she also directs her student troupe "Kiaroscuro Dance", focusing mainly on Classical Indian fusion and Tribal style dance.In this episode you will learn about:- How Irina got introduced to belly dance- Why she didn’t settle with practicing only traditional belly dance style- Tips on how to combine your explorations in different dance genres- What is tribal fusion and how it evolved within the last few decades- Irina’s interest in political science and women’s studiesShow Notes to this episode:Find Irina Akulenko on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Anna Schkade-Siytangco teaches women how to use the transforming power of movement to help them gain better health and build more self-confidence, while providing them with a way to express themselves in a profoundly beautiful way. She has over 15 years of diligent practice and study of Middle Eastern / North African / Near East dances with many world-renown performers and teachers. Anna has more than 14 years of performance experience from informal belly dance shows to professional theater productions… and everything in between. She was featured in 2 DVDs produced by Keti Sharif. With over 13 years of teaching dance and fitness at gyms, yoga and dance studios, Anna is a co-owner of her own studio – Oriental Phoenix Arts – together with her husband, Blue. She is a Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) , a Certified Nutrition Specialist (ENW), and a Certified MMA Conditioning Coach.In this episode you will learn about:- How belly dance helped her overcome a speech impediment- Dealing with stage fright- Tips for anxiety management- Insights into how Anna deals with the current pandemic situation as a dance teacher- Running a studio in partnership with her husbandShow Notes to this episode:Find Khadijah on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Khadijah is one of the most sought after instructors, performers and choreographers of Middle Eastern Dance and Folklore! Her upbringing in an artistic family prompted her to pursue studies in music and movement in various Arabic dance styles and beyond. She has been featured in BellyDance Magazine (California), BellyDance TV (California), Al Seha TV (Cairo), Univision (Colorado), The Denver Post (Colorado), TV appearances with HBO and more! Her unique and energetic style in combination with great athleticism and grace is deeply rooted in tradition, and it has made her amazing signature style popular worldwide. Khadijah currently resides in Denver, Colorado. She is a popular performer locally in many 5 star establishments such as Mataam Fez Moroccan restaurant, Phoenician Kabob Lebanese restaurant, Sahara’s, Lannie’s ClockTower , Palais Casablanca and more.In this episode you will learn about:- Dance styles of the Gulf region (beyond Khaleeji!!!!)- Nuances and misconceptions around Khaleeji dance- The meaning of the traditional outfit- People’s attitude to belly dance in Saudi Arabia- Islamophobia around the world and inside the belly dance communityShow Notes to this episode:Find Khadijah on Facebook, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Since a young age, Rahel has been involved in artistic exploration through various forms of dance, rhythm and music. She found her calling in Raks Sharqi (Oriental/Egyptian Style) and Fusion Bellydance at the age of fifteen and has been passionate about it ever since, fully immersing herself in it.Rahel is the choreographer and artistic director of bellydance troupe The Helwa Dancers, and she herself has danced with former bellydance troupe Banat Dallah directed by Narmaya, and Ninawa Eastern Magic Folkloric Dance Company run by internationally renowned dancers Moh Abu Ras and Moh Al Ratta. Her film credits include the star role in the award winning short film “Imago” by Drea Morin, as well a featured performance in an episode of the popular TV series “Hellcats”. Rahel was a featured performer in the high profile event Illuminate Yaletown in 2011, and had the privilege of having her choreography selected for the 2012 “Shimmy Mob”, the world’s largest bellydance flash mob featuring thousands of dancers all over the globe. She has choreographed solo performances for the talent portion of Miss Canada, Miss Hong Kong and Miss China International competitions, as well as Salome’s “Dance of the 7 Veils” in a 2013 production of the play by Oscar Wilde.In this episode you will learn about:- Finding femininity through belly dance- Self-love vs self-acceptance- Important entrepreneurial skills and tips for dancers (teachers & performers)- Consulting for movies and choreographing for beauty pageants- Freedom for being yourselfShow Notes to this episode:Find Rahel on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Every medal has two sides. Get inspiration from our incredible guests and their experience of dealing with physical and emotional load of a professional belly dance career. Today you will hear from Amar Lammar, Mercedes Nieto, Julia Farid and Idil.Show Notes to this episode:Ep 18. Amar Lammar: Twelve Years of Performing Every Night in the Arab Emirates!Ep 46. Mercedes Nieto: What Does It Take To Be a Touring Artist?Ep 52. Julia Farid: About Artistic Fulfillment, Individual Style and Teacher-Student RelationshipsEp 57. Idil: Misconceptions About Turkish Style & The Concept of Dance Movement TherapyFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aubre Hill has been a professional dance artist for over twenty years including touring and assistant-directing large ensembles across the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan, and Japan. She has been on faculty at California State University, Los Angeles teaching credited courses in pilates, fitness, and dance for over 10 years. She owned and directed Movement Art Space, a dance and fitness studio in Los Angeles offering education for all ages and levels for three successful years. She can be seen as a featured artist in numerous films and videos as well as was on the bellydance hit sensation of FitTV with her “All Stars Workouts”.Aubre has choreographed full dance theatrical productions including “The Nutcracker: a bellydance tale,” “Sketches of Arabia,” “Nights of Arabe,” and more. She is the artistic director and choreographer for the Lumina Dance Company (now in its 13th year), the Qabila Folkdance Company (a company focused solely on Arabic folk dance and celebrating its 7th year), and the Beyajja Dance Theatre (a Raqs Sharqi dance company with a focus on developing individual artistic expression).In this episode you will learn about:-Natural evolution and expansion of interests throughout your dance journey- The importance of learning folklore, even if you are not planing to perform it anywhere- Responsibility of artists, maturity of the audience, and attention to the content of performances and social media videos- Challenges of exploring and teaching very different dance styles- Transnational dance fusionShow Notes to this episode:Find Aubre Hill on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aziza is one of the brightest, most in demand stars of bellydance in the world today. She is recognized across the globe for her unparalleled ability to express the unique synergy of movement and sound that is the hallmark of this ancient art form. An intuitive, concise and generous instructor, Aziza excels at inspiring dancers to reach the next level. A lifelong bellydance student herself, she continually seeks inspiration as she travels the world, discovering new and revisiting familiar movement forms, always presenting material that is fresh and exciting. In 2010 Aziza started Dreamcamp, a week-long intensive located in a beautiful renovated convent in the gorgeous Laurentians, north of Montreal. The success of Dreamcamp is measured by this high rate of returning dancers year after year! Also, Aziza has now opened her home studio to the world. Bellydance students around the globe can now continue their studies with her online.In this episode you will learn about:-Aziza’s fifteen-year experience of performing at private parties and restaurants- Her first festival invitation from abroad, and how the initial ‘disaster’ got transformed into a huge success- Her approach to teaching- How to analyze your videos, and be your own coach- Up and downsides of teaching classes onlineShow Notes to this episode:Find Aziza on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Fadima Jones began dancing as a child in a Turkish folk dance troupe. At the age of 9 she added jazz dance, hip hop, and Bollywood to her repertoire, although bellydance was always a part of her life since the childhood. After performing at countless stage shows at cultural events until she was 14, she started making choreographies. Her career took her on big international stages with big artists as a background dancer, including performing on German TV. As a belly dancer, she performed on Turkish TV programs on a regular basis, which led her to work as a choreographer and performer for several Turkish, Persian, and Afghan music videos. Fadima Jones is not only an internationally acclaimed artist, she is also an event organizer. Her journey brought her all around Europe, Turkey, India, and now all the way to USA. Throughout all these engagements she never stopped educating herself, as she believes in continuous growth.In this episode you will learn about:- How her mother didn’t approve any belly dance activities, but later became Fadima’s greatest supporter in this profession- Why Fadima never teaches zills- What elements are missing in our festival world, and dangerous traps we put ourselves in as a community- Tips for successful local gigs, and how to protect yourself as a solo performer- Cutting her hair short while maintaining an active gigs lifeShow Notes to this episode:Find Fadima Jones on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Soraia Zaied is an established star of Cairo's current belly dance scene. Her style is very Egyptian with a little Latin influence. Soraia is popular with Egyptians and loved by the international belly dance community. She has been active as a dancers at the upscale InterContinental Citystars hotel in Heliopolis, had the contract for years as the primary dancer at the Sheraton Hotel in Dokki and also made regular appearances at the Marriott Hotel in Zamalek, among many other prestigious venues in Cairo. Despite her very busy performing schedule, she is now making more time to teach her unique style through online workshops and masterclasses. She is an amazing dancer with a very strong technique, so don't miss the opportunity to hear her story of success!In this episode you will learn about:- The very beginning of Soraia’s career in Egypt- Classical Egyptian style, fusion and tabla solo- Typical structure of her show: choreo or improvisation?- Getting ready for the show, and how often Soraia works on her own dance practice - What is Mahraganat and its next stage of evolutionShow Notes to this episode:Find Soraia Zaied on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Check her ONLINE MARTERCLASSES!Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Esmeralda Colabone!If you ever hit a professional dance depression, or stopped feeling emotions from your dance, there is a solution. In this mini-episode Esmeralda shares her own experience of going through such a common stage in the career, and hopefully her story will help you to overcome it too!Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Find Valerick on Instagram, FB, website and Youtube. Full interview is available here: Ep 13. Esmeralda Colabone: Music as Your Guide & MentorFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Estelle Zaghloul was born in Lebanon, lands of Cedars. She moved to Costa Rica with her whole family, whose members are all artists, and together she undertook an incredible career in Dances and Arab Arts from the age of 16. This is why though she retains her love for oriental music from her native country, her identity also embraces that of Costa Rica which she loves so, including its musical rhythms like salsa, merengue and cumbia. Her eclectic style mixes Egyptian influences to a concocted feminine Dabkeh, with a sprinkle of Greek and Turkish flavors, all powerfully tickling our senses. Estelle won in Hezzi Ya Nawaeem (season 1), which was first produced in 2007 for Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation - LBC, based on a concept created by Amelia Zidane and IMagic. It was The First World Belly Dance Championship in the region, and helped revive this lost forgotten art. The Jury on the show included Simon Asmar, Najwa Fouad, Zaza Hassan, and Nadra Assaf. Estelle is also a part of Costa Rica 2017 Women’s Empowerment Icons, and first belly dancer to perform at the National Theater of Costa Rica and Nicaragua with outstanding productions, among her many other achievements and contributions to the community.In this episode you will learn about:How dancing helped Estelle overcome depression after moving to a different countryHer experience at the TV competition Hezzi Ya Nawaeem, and how she decided to take her own path in life and danceWhat was the turning point for Estelle to close her studio a few years ago, and entirely focus on self-explorationThe importance and essence of circular shapes How you can bring the healing powers of dance into your life during tough quarantine times.Show Notes to this episode:Find Estelle Zaghloul on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Artemis Mourat has been dancing, teaching and researching dance history in the United States and abroad for over 40 years. Artemis is of Greek and Turkish descent, and she has an M.A. in psychology, an M.S.W. in social work and has done postgraduate work in dance movement therapy. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Her research is used by Egyptian universities, the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. and the Library for the Performing Arts in New York. She has lectured, taught and/or performed for Cornell University and Princeton University, National Public Radio (NPR), Voice of America. Artemis continues to collect antique pictures of women and dancers from North Africa and the Middle East and of the Roma throughout the world. Her collection is one of the largest in the United States and some illustrations have been used by the International Encyclopedia of Dance, the Smithsonian Institution, the largest Romany Museum in the world (in the Czech Republic), the Romany archives at the University of Texas collected by Ian Hancock, all the major Middle Eastern Dance publications and in several books.Artemis is listed in the International Dance Council (CID) Who's Who of Dance. Her photograph can be found in the International Encyclopedia of Dance under the listing for "danse du ventre" (translates to "belly dance") which is produced by the Oxford University Press. She has won the "Ethnic Dancer of the Year Award" presented by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (IAMED) and has won the "Most Popular Ethnic Dancer Award" from Zaghareet Magazine twice. Artemis has also won their "Lifetime Achievement Award."In this episode you will learn about:- How Artemis’s family didn’t appreciate her belly dance career at first- Vintage belly dance and the evolution of American Cabaret style- Lack of appreciation for Turkish Oriental, and Artemis’s mission of spreading awareness about it- Dealing with emotional overburn as a dancer - Funny stories from the point of view of a belly dancer’s husband.Show Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Artemis Mourat on Facebook, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write [email protected]: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Natalie Becker is a world-know teacher, choreographer, judge, event organizer and costume designer, and she started her dance and artistic journey at the age of 5. She is a professional choreographer with multiple achievements in the genre of world dance (traditional dances from all around the world). In 2005 Natalie received a prestigious national award ‘’The Perfection’’ as a ‘’The Choreographer of the Year’’. Also, she has dozens of winning performances in the world of belly dance, both in Russia and internationally. Along with that she raised multiple international stars of the modern belly dance scene such as Simona Minisini, Anastasia Biserova, Ebru Becker and many others. Her dance ensemble ‘’Oasis Dance’’ has been successfully touring all around the world! Natalie is the president of the international charity ’Europe - Asia’, fundraising in support of belly dance development.In this episode you will learn about:- How Natalie started her belly dance journey at the age of 29, and what her previous experience in dance was- The most important quality to have for competition participants- Natalie’s choreography and costume design process- Why she didn’t let her daughter join dance competitions at first- Overcoming sickness, saying goodbye to her huge festival, and navigating through COVID-19 times.Show Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Natalie Becker on Facebook, and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write [email protected]: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! These quiet and uncertain times encourage all of us to question and rethink our lifestyle, goals and dance dreams. Get inspiration from our incredible guests and their life changing stories. Today you will hear from Luna of Cairo, Oscar Flores, Zaina Brown and Joana Saahirah.Show Notes to this episode:Ep 17. Luna of Cairo: Is Belly Dance Life in Cairo Always a "Fairy Tale"?Ep 25. Oscar Flores: I Needed an Opportunity to Live My DreamEp 49. Zaina Brown: Travelling On Her Own Across the Middle East And BeyondEp 76. Joana Saahirah: Egyptian Dance As The Tool For Self-Knowledge And EmpowermentCheck My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write [email protected]: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Eyad Malaeb was born and lived in the Lebanese mountain village of Bayssour till he was 20 years of age. He grew up during the Lebanese war in the late 70s and had a very rough childhood. After moving to Beirut, he was discovered by the founder of one of the most famous Lebanese dance groups, RIMAH, and started to dance with them, appearing in many video clips, musicals and commercials and as a backup dancer for many stars in the Arab region. Along with being a full time dancer, he started teaching professional belly dancers from all over the world at La Maison de l’Artist agency, headed by Toros Siranosian. Later Eyad founded his own dance group and became the choreographer of many plays, video clips and tv programs. Now he is a master trainer in fitness belly dance at many gyms and he is a private coach for many Arab stars.In this episode you will learn about:- How Eyad started working with Toros Siranosian coaching belly dancers to work in Dubai and across the Arab world- His teaching secrets- Nuances of listening to music- Eyad’s influence on the modern Lebanese style - Pros and cons of teaching onlineShow Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Eyad Malaeb on Facebook, and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write [email protected]: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Vadim Kolpakov is one of the most prominent and renowned Russian Roma 7-string guitarists in the world. He was a lead musician of the Moscow Roma (Gypsy) Theatre Romen, where he performed as a guitarist, composer, vocalist, dancer and dramatic actor. Vadim graduated from the Roma performing arts school Gilori and studied guitar with his uncle Alexander Kolpakov who served as the musical director of the Romen Gypsy Theatre for over a quarter of a century. At the age of 15, Vadim began work at the Romen Gypsy Theatre, where he worked for 8 years and was the leading guitarist for 7 years. In 2008, as a member of the Kolpakov Trio, Vadim went on the world tour "Sticky & Sweet" with Madonna. They performed in many European and South American countries, as well as in North America and Mexico, including venues such as Wembley stadium in London, Madison Square Garden in NYC and Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.In this episode you will learn about:- The history of the Russian Roma 7-string guitar- Vadim’s approach to the term ‘Gypsy’ vs ‘Romani’- Similar elements of the Romani dance and music across the world- The use of skirt in Russian Romani female dance - Touring with MadonnaShow Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Vadim Kolpakov on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write [email protected]: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Let’s talk about dance improvisation, and a top secret of how to avoid panic attack while improvising for the audience. :)Show Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Alex Marković holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Illinois-Chicago. He spent 17 months conducting ethnographic field work on Romani ethnic identity and musical performance in Vranje, Serbia, for his doctoral dissertation. His general research interests involve music, dance, and ritual in the Balkans, ethnic identity and nationalism, the anthropology of performance, and ethnomusicology. Currently, Alex is co-instructor and performer with the Greek dance group “Ellas,” and a guest instructor with the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society of Chicago. He also offers public dance workshops and presentations on his research in dance and anthropology. He recently contributed a fascinating article to EEFC’s Forum Folkloristika: “Beat That Drum! Exploring the Politics and Performance among Roma Brass Musicians in Vranje, Serbia.”In this episode you will learn about:- What the Balkan region is- Historical connections between the Ottoman Empire and Balkans- Cultural practices vs national borders- Dances of the Black sea- The role of Romani culture in the Balkan regionShow Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Alex Marković on Facebook, or via email [email protected]. Also, check videos kindly provided by Alex Marković to compliment this interview HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Rabia found her love of music and dance at a young age in Turkey where she started dancing, drumming, and performing at traditional celebrations and social gatherings. Growing up listening and dancing to the complex rhythms of Turkey’s beautiful Aegean region was to her benefit during her formal dance education. Her unique dancing and teaching style is rooted in Turkish culture and tradition. She is an internationally acclaimed performing artist, researcher, instructor, choreographer and specialized in 9/8 dances of Turkey. She believes and advocates for the healing power of music and dance in a person's physical, emotional and mental well being. She performs and teaches nationally and internationally. In addition to being a registered nurse, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in athletics and dance, a Master of Science in Nursing Education and studying for her Nurse Practitioner degree. She integrates her formal educational background into her dance instructions to benefit her students.In this episode you will learn about:- The concept of Haflas in the belly dance community vs Turkish tradition- The tricky task of teaching 9/8 rhythm to a Western ear- The variety of 9/8 rhythms in Turkey, including the richness of Karsilama regional styles- Intricate nuances of Roman Havasi rhythm, and different ways to dance to them- The Historical roots of Turkish belly danceShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Find Rabia on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their BDExperience program at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Valerick Molinary!We are going though some challenging times right now. Many artists struggle because of their lost jobs, frustration and stress of uncertainty. And if most of us aren’t very excited about putting together the business side of their dance activities even during the calm times, then now it’s even more crucial to remember that self-promotion is a must have for any working dancer, and you should not resist it.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Find Valerick on Instagram, FB, and Youtube. Full interview is available here: Ep 11. Valerick Molinary: Different Ways to Develop Your Belly Dance CareerFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Originally from Argentina, master teacher, artistic director and dancer Oscar Flores began his artistic career very early. His training is very varied, including ballet, flamenco, oriental dance, theater and musical studies. From 1995 till today, he has been working in the world of theater, dance and fashion. In 2001, he founded his first dance school, where he worked for 3 years before moving to Buenos Aires and continuing his studies with renown masters such as Amir Thaleb and Saida. In 2010, he founded his dance company where he worked until 2016, when he moved to China to become a part of the Bellydance China project. Over the years, he has worked in the most important international festivals in the world as a dancer, teacher and competition judge; he has also participated as a guest and performer in several television programs in Latin America, Mexico, USA, Canada, Europe, China, Egypt, Turkey.In this episode you will learn about:- Dealing with health issues, and navigating the stress of a busy artistic life- How to refill joy and enthusiasm towards your art- The importance of proper rest and play time- What role social media plays in the life of a professional dancer today- How COVID-19 is influencing Oscar’s life and the belly dance field in generalShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Previous interview with Oscar Flores: Ep 25. Oscar Flores: I Needed an Opportunity to Live My DreamFind Oscar Flores on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. His website: http://www.oscarbellydance.com.arFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their BDExperience program at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Mohanned Hawaz is a dancer from Iraq currently living in Sweden. He has trained both ballet and Iraqi folklore since childhood and was a member of the Iraqi International Dance Company. Mohanned has played an excellent role in bringing Iraqi folkloric arts and dance to European and international audiences. He is determined to bring Iraqi style dances and culture to the international dance community and, more importantly, to preserve the work of the Iraqi National Troupe and its founders, Hannah Abdullah and Fouad Thanoon. The troupe Enkidu, an all-female, 12-person dance troupe, was founded by him in 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden.In this episode you will learn about:- Mohanned’s childhood dream of becoming a professional dancer- Today’s reality of Iraqi dance cultures, and limited opportunities to study from the source- Various rhythms of Iraqi dance styles- Iraqi National Troupe: before and now- Most common mistakes that we see at belly dance competitionsShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Mohanned Hawaz on FB, and Instagram. Also, check videos kindly provided by Mohanned to compliment this interview HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their BDExperience program at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Iana!Today the world is changing so rapidly. Let’s talk about the current events and their impact (immediate and in a long term) on belly dance industry.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Jessaiah Zure began bellydancing in 1997, studying primarily with Katarina Burda, and later with Jamila Salimpour. In 2004 she began her 10-year journey of living and studying on and off in Istanbul, where she studied Turkish Roman Dance primarily with Reyhan Tusuz. Jessaiah was Reyhan’s second ever “student”. As the years progressed, she met more people and danced and studied with many more dancers, including professionals, women in the kitchen, Anadolu Atesi dancers and more. The locals in Istanbul were amazed at Jessaiah’s natural familiarity with the music and dance. While she was there, Jessaiah was a featured dancer at many local events, weddings, shows, as well as written about in newspapers and asked to be in movies as a dancer.In this episode you will learn about:- Studying folklore as a part of belly dance classes- How do we define ‘traditional’- Jessaiah’s learning experience of Turkish Romani dance without knowing the language, and having an audience observing her at each class- We all start as beginners- The importance of individuality in dance.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Jessaiah Zure on FB, and Instagram. Also, check her Fb group The Rhythm & Belly Revival (International Dance Collective).Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their BDExperience program at www.JoinBDE.com.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. His fine art project, The Orientalist, features dancers and musicians in scenes inspired by Orientalist paintings, photographed in 6 countries in 3 continents. Pedro's unique style is applied to his belly dance photography, having photographed a number of stars including Aida Bogomolova, Khaled Mahmoud, Marta Korsun, Julia Farid and many others. Pedro is also a drummer focusing on Middle Eastern music and the leader of the world music and dance ensemble Blue Dot.In this episode you will learn about:- How Pedro got involved in Arabic drumming, and how he started working with dancers- What is the difference between playing for a dancer and accompanying a singer with a band- Pedro’s most memorable shoot from the Orientalist series, in the ‘’ghost’’ city with a broken car, no Internet connection, and upcoming flight in a few hours- Life of a belly dancer’s husband: behind-the-scene reality of glittering shows- Some ideas on how to deal with partners who do not support your belly dance passion.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Pedro Bonatto on FB, Instagram, and YouTube, his website with useful tips for preparing for shoots, and his podcasts.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their BDEmpower program at www.BellydanceEvolution.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Today we are talking about such an important topic as health: health and dance in general, and health as a dancer’s health specifically. Learn from Cassandra Fox, Jillina Carlano, Alla Kushnir and Aradia of Las Vegas.Show Notes to this episode: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 101. Aradia of Las Vegas: How to Succeed as a Full-Time PerformerThank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Iana Dance Club page!Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their shows at www.BellydanceEvolution.com or audition for the cast at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

After extensive training in gymnastics and ballet, at age 19 Eva Cernik was first introduced to belly dance by Anahid Sofian in New York. Eva worked as an Oriental dancer in London, Paris, Istanbul, and Cairo, and in-troupe in Baghdad and Spain. She also traveled in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Morocco and 14 other countries. Returning to Egypt 26 times, Eva developed a friendship with families in Upper Egypt, and studied with Khairiya Maazin, and So'ad Maazin. She also returned to Turkey 11 times, to really grasp the very strong contrast of the Turkish and Romani styles to the Egyptian and American styles. In 2008, Eva was presented by Denver Lyric Opera Guild in a performance of Strauss' "Dance of the Seven Veils" from his opera "Salome”. She also spent 14 years fully immersed in Sufi dance practices.In this episode you will learn about:- How Eva got involved into belly dance thinking that it was an Armenian folk dance class- Performing with injured knee- Studying Ghawazi dances from Khariya Maazin- Interviewing the legendary Samia Gamal- Where did the misconception of using big skirts in Turkish Romani Dance come from.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Eva Cernik on FB, Instagram, and YouTube.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Having performed in over 21 countries, Amaya was the first to introduce the passion of Flamenco with the sensuality of Arabic Dance through her interpretation of the song "Amayagueña", composed especially for her by top composer Ibrahim El Samahy. Her fusion work in the early 1990s sparked many dancers to follow on her path. She credits her mentor and dance partner, the late Roman Balladine, for opening many dance doors around the world for her (Europe, Australia, New Zealand…). Amaya ran away and joined the circus! Her circus work in Salome Traumtheater and Circus Conelli in Germany and Switzerland were milestones in her dance career. In 1978 she got 1st Place Winner of Egypt Dance Competition in Sheraton Hotel (Cairo), and later she received the Giza Award for her documentary, “Gypsy Fire, Part One” 1988. She also got the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, Santa Fe, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award, National Isis Foundation, Dallas, and many other acknowledgements.In this episode you will learn about:- Different stages of Amaya’s career, and working together with a male dancer- How to stop feeding negativity, and deal effectively with gossip and conflicts in your dance circle- Common threads in personality of all successful dancers- Amaya’s documentaries about the history of belly dance in the USA: why? how? who?- Why Amaya truly deserves her title of Wise Woman.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Amaya on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. More information about her documentaries and retreat at her website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

After relocating from the UK to the USA, Sara Al-Hadithi got involved in the Middle-Eastern dance world and discovered an interest in Iraqi dance that has swept through the bellydance community. As an Iraqi, this area of performance was very surprising and personal to her, not just as a performer, but also as the daughter of one of Iraq's most well-known and respected vocalist and authority on Iraqi folklore. After partnering with dancer Uza of NYC, the collaboration of the Court of Morjana was born, the first English-language website dedicated to all subjects relating to Iraqi dance. Also, Sara has founded Autism Care Los Angeles (ACLA) to address the difficulty and frustration many families experience when seeking caregivers for family members living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).In this episode you will learn about:- Being the daughter of a well-known artist, and experiencing resistance from society and family towards her own artistic dreams- The female role in Iraqi culture and society, and why Sara was surprised to discover dancers interest in Iraqi dance- Navigating life, motherhood, autism diagnosis and an artist’s path- Finding support in the belly dance community- Why Sara refused to actively teach dance classes, and how she found a way to contribute to dance education in the most authentic way for herShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Sara Al-Hadithi on FB, Instagram, and YouTube.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

I’ll be honest: it was very tempting to title this episode as “From Egyptian Traditional Style to Burlesque Dancer”, but our conversation with Katalin Schäfer was much wider than just these two dancer styles on an incredible artistic arc that will definitely challenge your understanding of the art.Katalin is an accomplished international performer, choreographer, instructor, and costume designer from Hungary. In 2004, together with three other master teachers, she established a dance company called Art of Orient, and soon after she established her own dance company with Arab boys and Hungarian girls. In the same year, she had come second at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan World Competition in Egypt, but later a meaningful artistic journey has begun that has effected her life on both professional and spiritual levels. Her wide range of interests has motivated her to create a very unique, personal style that she would call (if definition is necessary at all) Oriental Jazz.In this episode you will learn about:- Falling in love with Egyptian traditional raqs sharki and folklore, and later transitioning into fusion and burlesque dance- The importance of feeling your body and hearing your soul’s calling- How Katalin describes her own dance style- Dealing with stigmas and judgements about being a belly dancer and a burlesque dancer- Pregnancy and motherhood while being an active dancerShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Katalin Schäfer on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Check her costume designer HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Julia Farid!Such a valuable insight on how to use competition experience to your best interest, what are the traps, and what are the tools for your dance growth there.Show Notes to this episode:Full interview with Julia Farid: Ep 05. Julia Farid: Challenges of an International Dance CareerJulia’s upcoming event in June: Summer Beats.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Nabila is a worldwide known Oriental dancer, characterized by her appealing elegance and soulful music interpretation. As a member of Jillinas Bellydance Evolution Team Nabila has been involved in all three previous productions of Bellydance Evolution Theatre Shows in Europe (2010 – 2015), including the leading role of “Cheshire Cat” in May 2015 in Dornbirn, Austria. Her great ability to bring the emotionality of egyptain expression of the oriental dance on stage leads her to be one of the few of Randa Kamel choosen European guest dancers on the stage of the closing gala at Randa’s Raqs-of-Course Festival in Cairo.In this episode you will learn about:- Starting belly dance at the age of 32, and reaching professional success and recognition- Nabila’s very first performance on the stage, and the nature of nervousness- The importance of the strength training for belly dancers- Benefits of complimentary yoga practice- How to motivate your students to keep going even when their progress is painfully slowShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Amel Tafsout on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode!January is typically a month of new classes for beginners students. Many struggles may appear in teacher-student relationships, that’s why in this mini-episode I’m featuring two topics:- How to set up boundaries in your relationships with students, and- How to structure your class if you have both intermediate and beginning students.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Submit your questions for ASKianaDANCE show at www.ianadance.com/askFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Raised in Algeria, Amel Tafsout grew up around traditional healing practices of her native country. In the mid-1970s, Amel moved to Germany where she founded the Pan-Arab dance company called ‘Banat As Sahra’ (Daughters of the Sahara Desert), and in the late 80s Tafsout moved to London, U.K, where she performed at various dance and music festivals and created a new dance company called ‘The Tafsoutettes’. She was also active member of the Latin Jazz band ‘Chakchouka’, the North African music ensemble ‘Mambo Duniya’, the Arab-Turkish band ‘Noor Shimaal’ and later the North African music ensemble ‘Saladin’s Orchestra’ with her husband, drummer Salah-Dawson Miller. Currently living in the U.S.A., she is an in-demand dance artist and musician. With a research in dance anthropology and coming from a Sufi spiritual tradition, Amel combines traditional healing with sacred dance, with her learning experience in Sound healing and Zikr, breath work, whirling and trance.In this episode you will learn about:- Amel’s childhood in Algeria, and the contrast between home environment and French school - Orientalist’s stereotypes about the dancers of Maghreb - Differences between Amazigh (Berber), Maghreb and Arabic cultures - Healing powers embedded in the North African culture and traditions - Releasing emotional blocks through dance and soundShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Amel Tafsout on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Shahrzad!A great reminder about the beautiful aspect of our belly dance profession! Exactly what you need to hear approaching the end of the year.Show Notes to this episode:Full interview with Shahrzad: Ep 03. Shahrzad: Inside Cairo Dance LifeFind Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aradia has performed as a soloist throughout the United States, Canada, Barbados, Egypt and Switzerland. She has danced at many of the top hotels, restaurants and clubs in Las Vegas, performed for Celine Dion's wedding, BlockBuster's premiere opening for "The Mummy", and Maxim Magazine's party in Las Vegas. She has appeared in several TV spots on Discovery, Bravo and the Travel Channel. Her love for Middle Eastern dance began at the age of 7 as a second generation belly dancer. Aradia is a sought after instructor and choreographer, and her professionalism and friendly personality makes her one of the most requested dancers in Las Vegas.In this episode you will learn about:- Being the daughter of a professional belly dancer- Changes in the belly dance education and shows over the past 40 years - Differences between Egyptian, Turkish and Lebanese styles - Secrets of a successful and long-lasting performance career - The importance of thinking about retirement options in advanceShow Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Aradia of Las Vegas on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode!Reflecting on our recent Instagram challenge, and sharing all behind-the-scene insights of what was going on. Thank you for being a part of our podcast community! Let’s celebrate our episode #100 together. :)Show Notes to this episode:Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Elmira Sarkisian is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer from Ukraine. She is a respected judge at many dance competitions, and beloved mentor for her numerous students. Her Armenian charm, Ukrainian work ethic and Egyptian soul will definitely inspire you to keep moving on your belly dance journey.In this episode you will learn about:- What makes Elmira to be in so much demand as a choreographer- Costume misfunctions may happen to anyone- Listening to the music and all its nuances- 2-min performances at the competitions- What is the most important aspects in teaching belly danceShow Notes to this episode:Follow Elmira Sarkisian on FB, Instagram, and YouTubehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002047977878https://www.instagram.com/elmirasarkisian/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCylOFccshvlMZzkbtNYTnAwBellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

David Abraham has exceptional charisma and overwhelming personality. He definitely knows how to captivate and dazzle the audience with his unique and bold style. David graduated from the Arabian Dance School (ADS) from Master Amir Thaleb in 2011, and since then he has managed to carve a prestigious and unblemished career with more than 20 gold medals in different competitions under his belt, and traveling all around the world giving workshops. In this episode you will learn about:- How David was traveling 24 hours by bus every month in order to take belly dance classes- The importance of learning from other dancers- What does it take to be a man in the belly dance industry- Kids and their parents in belly dance- How to build a successful international careerShow Notes to this episode:Belly Dance Life Podcast CHALLENGE: www.ianadance.com/challenge Follow David Abraham on FB, Instagram, and YouTubewww.instagram.com/david_abraham_bd/www.facebook.com/DavidOrientalwww.youtube.com/user/DavidOrientalBellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode!Let’s talk about success in belly dance. What does it really mean? Do you have a clear understanding what are your goals, and ultimate success in this industry? Tune in right now!This is an excerpt from the webinar hosted by Joana Saahirah where I was a guest speaker. Find more information at Joana Saahirah´s World Webinar Series available at www.joanasaahirah.com.Show Notes to this episode:Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcastFind more information at Joana Saahirah´s World Webinar Series available at www.joanasaahirah.com

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Today we are talking about such complex topic as social media, and its influence on belly dance world and individual careers. Learn from Sadie Marquardt, Cassandra Fox, Mercedes Nieto and Carmen Fragoso.Show Notes to this episode:Belly Dance Life Podcast CHALLENGE: http://www.ianadance.com/challengeEp 14. Sadie Marquardt: Before & After Social Media Hit: https://www.ianadance.com/bellydance-life/episode14Ep 15. Cassandra Fox: Healthy Does Not Have a Face: https://www.ianadance.com/bellydance-life/episode15Ep 45. Mercedes Nieto: Social Media Traps: https://www.ianadance.com/bellydance-life/episode45Ep 81. Carmen Fragoso: Things Happen When You Are Ready For Them: https://www.ianadance.com/bellydance-life/episode81Follow Iana on social media at @iana_danceBellydance Evolution and information about their new program at http://bellydanceevolution.com , or audition for the cast at http://www.JoinBDE.comPodcast: http://www.ianadance.com/podcast