Belly Dance Stories

Sometimes we hit roadblocks on the journey, which can become valuable lessons. Alexandra and Valerick unravel juicy information about how belly dancers can find their personal aesthetic whether student or professional, avoid red flags that stunt growth, and evolve gracefully beyond teachers, mentors, and studio spaces.✨ Breaking free from creative constraints✨ Navigating artistic breakups✨ What finding your aesthetic FEELS like✨ Rebirth, authenticity, and & independence💌 Plus, we’re inviting you to write a love letter to dance—share your story with us! Email us at [email protected] or submit it via this link: https://forms.gle/qpMtRQJgt258ai9bA 00:00:00 Intro00:03:23 What does finding your aesthetic FEEL like?00:11:18 Valerick's pivotal moment when she felt truly herself00:16:20 How Alexandra leave surprises in her process00:19:16 The Influence of Teachers and Mentors00:31:31 Red flags, stepping away from bad relationships00:44:18 Exit plans00:53:19 Fears, Rebirth and Authenticity01:02:54 Building something that is yours01:11:29 Love letters to danceBelly dance classes, theater shows, and performer development www.bellydancestories.com

Our podcast season for 2025 has launched! Tune in and listen to our main focus of the season... how to evolve in your career or your journey as a belly dancer. We also talk about belly dance as a lifestyle, not just for the professional, but for the enthusiast and those who enjoy it for fun. Alexandra talks about her book inspiration and how it is informing her next choreography, and Valerick talks about The Creative Act and how creativity is something we ALL have access to. 00:00 Intro04:01 Dance as a lifestyle05:22 From passion to career - important questions to ask07:04 Boundaries and Branding09:39 Seeing the opportunities when changes happen26:12 Book Inspirations: The Heroine's Journey39:02 Book Inspirations: The Creative ActLinks to books:"The Heroine's Journey" by Maureen Murdockhttps://g.co/kgs/qHrwnHa "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubinhttps://g.co/kgs/zKubu5G www.bellydancestories.comBelly Dance classes, theater, podcast, and more!

About this podcast episode:

0:00:00 Opening Theme

0:00:17 Introduction Love

0:02:40 Origin Story of Love Affair

0:09:58 Risks in bringing international artists

0:26:27 Looking after your artists as a producer

0:33:40 Cultivating your community

0:49:02 Rebranding to Love Affair

0:53:14 Future of Love Affair

0:56:08 Closing thoughts

What is the story of your show? Theater production is a labor of love. We discuss the process of being producers and directors, creating our third theater show, how to build an audience, and the impact of the stage.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us produce our exciting Myth of the Feminine Theater Show!

Maison de Mosaics

HGAB Studios

The Peacemaker Studio

Orlando Belly Dance Convention

Aamar Belly Dance Festival

Lisa Zahiya Business, Life Coach

Macky Designs

Lebanese Love Affair

The talented Isabella Villarroel joins us for a conversation on Fashion and Bridal Design, Belly Dance, the social "demands" and intricacies of being a woman today, more.

Join us for a warm conversation with an abundance of advice from Lisa Zahiya, business strategist and life coach, BS and a MBA from the University of Maryland.

Her story takes us from when she left her corporate career to become a professional Belly Dance instructor, performer, and studio owner of the award-winning Studio Zahiya in Asheville, North Carolina for nearly 14 years, to where she is today helping others purse their dreams and growing seven-figure businesses.

We discuss personal branding, self-worth, networking and topics on the business of Belly Dance that are rarely laid on the table.

For more about Lisa Zahiya, her work, podcast and more, visit www.lisazahiya.com.