Belly Dance Life

Levana is an acclaimed Spanish belly dancer, performer, and instructor celebrated across Europe for her artistry and dedication to oriental dance. With over 20 years of experience, Levana’s background includes rigorous training in ballet and competitive gymnastics, which gives her an elegant, powerful presence on stage. She is not only recognized for her performances and teaching but also as the founder and organizer of the renowned Etoiles d'Orient festival in Palma de Mallorca, where she brings together top international talent in oriental dance each year. Levana’s work continues to elevate the art form, inspiring students and audiences alike in Spain and beyond.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Levana’s decision to become a full-time dancer

- Running a school and festival

- Bringing “Ukrainian” vibe to the competition

- Navigating stressful situations during the event

- Managing a team of people to work with

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Levana on Instagram, and FB. Info about her festival is available on Instagram and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Soraya Art Factory is a professional dancer, entrepreneur, and cultural mediator at Place des Arts in Montreal. She is celebrated for her vibrant energy, eclectic style, and professionalism. Soraya’s dance journey began in Morocco, where she took her first belly dance class in 2007. Inspired by Egyptian icons like Neima Akef, Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal, Fifi Abdo, Dina, she pursued her passion for dance. In 2015, she left her law career to travel, share her love for dance, and train globally. Her unique style blends Afro, belly dance, salsa, and more, with a strong emphasis on musical interpretation. Today, she lives in Canada, continuing to share her passion for dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How Soraya started her dance journey back in Morocco

- Her experience of moving to a different country

- Learning different dance styles at the same time

- What is true body awareness during your dance

- Variety of Moroccan dances

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Soraya Art Factory on Instagram, and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

This is a best of episode! You will hear how various types of conditioning exercises are the integral part of their training.

You will hear from Hayal, Shahrzad, Jasirah, Dipika, Nabila and Heather (Henna) Louise.

Check these full interviews with the podcast guests:

Ep 271. Hayal: Functional Training For Belly Dancers

Ep 214. Shahrzad: Changes in The Cairo Dance Life During The Last 4-5 Years

Ep 19. Jasirah: How to Practice on Your Own. Tips & Tricks

Ep 281. Dipika Vijay: Comparing Dance With Design And Geometry

Ep 105. Nabila: It's Never Too Late to Start and Succeed

Ep 291. Heather (Henna) Louise: Focus On The Experience You Wanna 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.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Christine “Shiraz” Şahin is a dance practitioner-scholar and ethnographer specializing in contemporary Egyptian raqs sharqi (“belly dance”) and other MENAT (Middle Eastern, North African, and Turkish) dance genres. She has a Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Delaware, and  is currently serving as Acting Assistant Professor of Dance in the Department of Dance at the University of Washington in Seattle. She also specializes in geriatric fitness and mind-body wellness. Her research has been published in Kohl: A Journal for Gender and Body Research.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Christine’s book “Core Connections. Cairo Belly Dance in the Revolution's Aftermath”

- Belly dance as a tool of empowerment

- The influence of 2011 revolution on the dance scene in Egypt

- Strong connections between art and politics

- How you can support Palestine

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Christine “Shiraz” Şahin on Instagram, and FB.

Her book Core Connections. Cairo Belly Dance in the Revolution's Aftermath is available on Amazon and major local bookstores. You can also purchase it at Oxford Press website, and use promo code AUFLY30 for 30% off.

The Instagram page about supporting Palestine is available HERE. This is the mutual aid for Palestinians in Egypt.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Amina Goodyear began her performance career in the mid-60's at the Bagdad Cabaret dancing nightly in San Francisco's North Beach district during that city's golden era of Middle Eastern dance and until the Arabic clubs closed in that area. She founded her dance company, The Aswan Dancers, in 1975, and celebrates over 40 years of continuous performance and entertainment. She also founded the Cairo Cats, now a percussion ensemble led by her daughter Susu Pampanin, among many other music and percussion projects. Amina was inducted into the American Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (AAMED) Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement award in New York in 1994. She also received a Humanitarian Award in 2001 from MECDA, a Lifetime Achievement award in 2003 from BDUC in Long Beach and a Lifetime Achievement award  in 2015 from Isis and the Belly Dance Chronicles in Texas.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Belly dance realities of 1960s

- Learning to dance under the guidance of musicians

- Giza Club project

- Sexualization of belly dancers now and before

- Biggest changes in belly dance industry over the last 60 years

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Amina Goodyear on Instagram, FB, and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Aleksandra Kilczewska, known by her stage name "Apsara Afsanera," is a dancer, choreographer, and alternative model based in Warsaw. She is a pioneer in her country, specializing in Persian dance as well as other Silk Road styles, including Uzbek, Tajik, Afghan, Azeri, and Uyghur dance. In addition to her expertise in these forms, she is also a skilled Tribal Belly dancer. Before delving deeply into Silk Road dances, Apsara trained extensively in various Indian dance styles and has a strong foundation in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance techniques. She continuously seeks to create her unique form of expression by blending these diverse techniques, drawing inspiration from music, poetry, literature, and film.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Historical connections between Persian and Georgian dances

- Types of Georgian dance

- Benefits of training in various dance style

- The psychology of teaching kids vs seniors

- University degree for dancers

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Apsara Afsanesara on Instagram, FB, and Youtube, and website.

Previous interview with Apsara Afsanesara:

Ep 20. Apsara Afsanesara: What Do You Know About Persian Dance?

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Saida, born to Syrian parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immersed herself in classical dance from 1983 to 1991, training with esteemed masters like Olga Ferri and Ricardo Rivas. In 1991, she embraced Arabic dance, studying under Amir Thaleb’s guidance and performing with the Arabian Dance Company, where she became the principal dancer for over a decade. In 1994, Saida established her own belly dance school. By 2004, she joined the Bellydance Superstars for a major U.S. tour, thanks to an invitation from producer Miles Copeland. Collaborating with Mario Kirlis, she released two acclaimed instructional DVDs in 2005 and 2007. In 2008, UNESCO's International Dance Council honored her as Argentina's best Arabic dance performer.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How she met Amir Thaleb

- Starting her teaching career by hosting classes at her mom’s house

- Incredible collaboration with Mario Kirlis

- Saida’s experience at Bellydance Superstars

- Dealing with criticism and negative feedback

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Saida on Instagram, FB, and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Warda is a choreographer, instructor, and performer of oriental dance and folklore styles with 13 years of experience. She has organized over 15 international events and excursions to the Middle East, making her a key figure in Bulgaria's belly dance events. With performance experience in both Bulgaria and Egypt, she is deeply connected to Oriental culture, speaks Arabic, and offers workshops across the world. In 2017, Warda launched the international festival HEZZ YA WEZZ in Sofia. She established her dance school in 2018 and has taught and judged at various international festivals. In 2021, she fulfilled her dream of teaching at Egyptian festivals, and in 2022, she performed in Egypt and appeared in a music video for Mahmoud El Esseily.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Studying the Arabic language, and different dialects of Arabic

- Does age make difference in belly dance career

- How folklore dances are different from oriental

- Most important qualities the event organizer must have

- Warda’s experience of living and working in Egypt

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Warda on Instagram, FB, YouTube, 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

Roula Said is a multifaceted artist of Palestinian heritage based in Toronto, Canada. She is a singer, dancer, musician, actor, and poet, renowned for her distinctive contributions to the world and fusion music scenes. As an Arabic musician, Roula sings and plays the qanun. One of her notable projects is "Om Laila: Bellydance for Body and Soul," a holistic system for bellydance instruction. After more than 30 years of teaching Middle Eastern dance, she has distilled her extensive experience into a suite of offerings rooted in tradition and focused on what she calls Embodied Soul Attunement.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Incredible story of the universe guided Roula to the world of belly dance

- Dealing with constant pain during dancing activities

- Healing trauma and blocks through belly dance

- The concept of movement embodiment and seven waves

- How to find joy during dark times

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Roula Said on Instagram, FB, and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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

Brenda, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, discovered her passion for dance at age 3, mastering Italian and Argentinian folklore, Salsa, Tango, Jazz, and later Raks Sharki. At 17, she starred at the prestigious "Al Shark" restaurant in Argentina for five years. After earning her Oriental Dance Professor Certification from Amir Thaleb’s School, Brenda's popularity soared, leading to TV appearances and international teaching engagements. In 2014, she was chosen for the Egyptian TV show "Al Rakesa." Her success in the Middle East prompted her move to Egypt, where she performed in top venues and appeared in movies and music videos. Since 2018, Brenda has released her own bellydance music. In 2022, she published "Belly Dance in Cairo," a guide for dancers and those wanting to live in Egypt. Currently, Brenda continues teaching and performing at major festivals, living between Italy and Egypt.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Brenda’s decision to change her lifestyle in Cairo

- Her move to Italy and how she continues her career in Egypt

- Health and nutrition tips

- The difference between teaching and performing activities

- Brenda’s current dreams and aspirations

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Brenda on Instagram, FB, and Youtube, and website.

Previous interview with Brenda:

Ep 34. Brenda: Building Dance Career in Cairo Without a Manager

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.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