Serkan Tutar is an international award winning Turkish bellydancer & teacher, “Male Bellydancer of the world 2008” and winner of “Brandon Oasis 2006”, and organizer of the Rakkas Istanbul International Oriental Dance Festival. Serkan currently lives in Belgium, where he is renown for his Middle Eastern dance instruction and performances. His teaching methods are clear and concise, delivered with kindness in a supportive environment. Students from across Belgium and around the world seek him out as a dance instructor and mentor.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Similarities between Turkish and Egyptian dance styles.

- Terminology nuances: ‘gypsy’, ‘Roman’, ‘belly dance’, ‘oriental’ and ‘raks sharki’

- Difference between dance festivals and dance events.

- How to check if you are ready to teach, and how to approach your teacher on this topic.

- Are style and personality the same thing?

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Serkan Tutar on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Rakkas Istanbul International Oriental Dance Festival: website.

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.

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Zomzom Mustapha is a dancer and choreographer specializing in Arabic Folklore (Egypt, Morocco and the Middle East in general). He was trained in modern jazz and later in theatre and dance in Casablanca, Morocco. This knowledge has made Zomzom Mustapha a famous artist and dance teacher, not only in France where he currently resides, but all around the world. Throughout his career, Mustapha has taught and performed at various international festivals in the United States, Morocco, Ukraine, Colombia, Kuwait, China, Russia, Lebanon, Argentina, Egypt, and other countries.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Different Moroccan dances and their connection to flamenco.

- Street shaabi and mahragan.

- Important differences between Al Rakessa and Al Rakassa.

- Reasons why belly dance got banned in one region of France.

- Terms ‘belly dance’ vs ‘oriental dance’.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Zomzom Mustapha on FB, Instagram, YouTube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Raïssa Leï is the founder and director of the Kif-Kif Bledi group. Originally from Morocco, she started her dance journey with modern jazz and hip-hop training, and all sorts of underground dance styles such as locking, popping and waacking. Today she is also known for her deep exploration of traditional dances of North Africa, experimental fusion between dance styles and active social work activities to help communities and spread awareness about important issues.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Links between Berber culture and Egyptian dances.

- Tips on how to be critical to historical resources and documents.

- What is the situation with Muslim culture in Europe.

- How rich and varied is the dance repertoire of Morocco and other North African countries (with a list of dance styles)

- Most common misinterpretations that we see on belly dance stage.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Raïssa Leï on FB, Instagram, YouTube and Kif-Kif Bledi website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

It’s a solo mini-episode!

Are you wondering how to boost self-discipline and motivation when practicing on your own? Or maybe you are looking for any accountability online groups to boost your dance training? In this mini-episode I’m sharing my two ASKianaDANCE editions where I address these questions!

Show Notes to this episode:

ASKianaDANCE: www.ianadance.com/ask

Patreon support: www.patreon.com/ianadance

Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Are you a fan of online belly dance classes, or are you on the skeptical side? In either case, this episode will bring you so much positive energy and laugh that you will immediately fall in love with Tatyana Gavrilova and her online platform for dancers, Sola Dance. Tatyana has already produced over 200 videos of belly dance workshops, and in this conversation she takes us behind the screen of Sola Dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How the idea of Sola Dance appeared.

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing belly dance online.

- What was the funniest moment of recording classes with teachers at Sola Dance.

- How online resources can help you develop your own unique style.

- If there are any differences in mentalities of Russian-speaking and English-speaking dancers.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Tatyana Gavrilova and Sola Dance on FB, Instagram, YouTube and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

This is one of the most honest and straightforward conversations of the podcast! Please welcome the absolutely amazing Mexican beauty based in the UAE, Tatiana Avila. After burning up Dubai's most prestigious nightclubs with her energy, charisma and super dance techniques, she is currently focusing on developing dance classes and workshops in Dubai. In this interview, Tatiana talks about her path from being a student to becoming a professional in-demand dancer, as well as differences between what we learn in dance schools, and what we see in real life of the belly dance entertainment industry.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Tatiana’s path as a student, her teachers, struggles and inspirations

- Our beloved “BellyPolice” :)

- The differences between dance in academic and entertainment worlds

- How folklore dabke is transformed in cabaret settings

- The structure of a typical belly dance show in Dubai

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Tatiana Avila on FB, Instagram and YouTube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

It’s a solo mini-episode!

Do you know how to dance just for yourself, or are you constantly in a marathon of preparing for some events and performances? In this mini-episode I’m sharing my recent breakthrough and realization of where I’d like my artistic path to go in the future.

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is the most surprising belly dance story you’ve ever heard. Discover how Malema (Maria Aya) got introduced to belly dance at the age of 30, then started receiving requests for private classes from well-established professional dancers, and how one simple YouTube video recorded for pure fun brought her first international teaching gig. And this was just the first chapter of her dance story.

Today, after a harsh year of being diagnosed with lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's organs), surviving 14 heart attacks, 5 brain strokes, and fully recovering from these diseases, Malema is ready to start a new chapter. She is back to teaching classes, but she is also passionate about developing a dance therapy practice based on oriental movements, and using the vocabulary of belly dance to help women recover after sexual abuses and war traumas.

Malema (Maria Aya) is founder and co-organizer of MOSAIC Oriental Festival in Athens, founder & artistic director of “Hamsa”, International Center for Culture & Arts of East Med Countries, and creator of the "Hamsa International Oriental Knowledge Certificate". She is a leader and main choreographer of “Malema’s Banat” oriental inspired theatrical dance group, international multi-awarded choreographer, and a renowned teacher of oriental and folkloric dances.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Malema on FB. Her FB dance page, and Hamsa - Oriental Art House page. YouTube video that she mentioned in the interview is available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY6hBS5YNRo

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Today we are talking about such complex topic as musicality in belly dance. Learn from Esmeralda Colabone, Alida Lin, Sandra Kahloun and Kamilia. Aim for more!

Show Notes to this episode:

Ep 13. Esmeralda Colabone: Music as Your Guide & Mentor

Ep 37. Alida Lin: How to Control Your Music As a Dancer

Ep 47. Sandra: Rules Of Improvisation

Ep 62. Kamilia: Dreaming of a Big Supportive Community

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

I literally had goosebumps several times during this conversation: from months at an ICU and wheelchair recovery, to an active dance career, marathon running, and becoming a crossfit athlete! Are you ready for an incredible story from a phenomenal woman? Please welcome Katerina Shereen, who performed at the most glamorous events with such guests as Elton John, Sharon Stone and royal families who came to London every summer. Katerina became the special dancer for the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of Brunei. The biggest benefit though was to work with amazing Arabic musicians who worked with Oum Kalthoum and Abdal Halim Hafez or played for legends such as Fifi Abdo and Nagua Fouad.

In this interview you will hear about:

- The scene of belly dance education: festivals vs intensives, and what goals each type of event serves,

- Tips on how to choose wisely which dance event to invest your money in

- Katerina’s story of a leg injury due to a doctor’s mistake, and her recovery path

- The importance and power of the mindset to never give up

- What skills you are missing to get a successful, joyful and long-term dance career

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Katerina Shereen on Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast