While Rahel specializes in Raqs Sharqi, Today she’ll be joining us to talk about her work in trauma-informed, mindfulness-based somatic practices and how she’s brought that to the table to support both dancers and non-dancers alike

And she has so much great info to share.

She’ll go through what somatics is, and some of the history of it, as well as diving into what it means to be embodied. We’ll spend some time today being a bit more cognitive about our bodies by even thinking ABOUT the fact that we have bodies in the first place! It get’s really fascinating team.

Did you know we have more than 5 senses?

I know right? Rahel is about to open up a whole new world for you.

So join her in bringing a little more mindfulness to your body, both today here in the podcast, and through her accompanying instagram challenge.

You can check out that challenge and follow rahel online in all the places she hangs out by going to thebellydancebundle.com/100

Today we have the founder of Greenstone Dance Arts, Siobhan Camille. 

If you’ve heard her on the podcast before, or you follow her you’ll already know, but for anyone just meeting Siobhan for the first time, she’s got an extensive background in exercise science with postgrad degrees in both Exercise Prescription and Rehabilitation Science. And while this creates her unique approach to teaching, today she’s gonna be talking a bit more about something near and dear to my heart.

Habits.

It make sense, because what is a dance or exercise practice but a series of habits?

Today she’ll be talking about all or nothing thinking, why our practices need to evolve over the years, and you’ll even walk away with some book recommendations if your interest has been peaked.

Plus one action step you can take TODAY to get going on a habit you’ve been wanting to start or improve.

You can find Siobhan online through the links on the show notes page at thebellydancebundle.com/99

Today we have Sahira here to chat all about adding emotion and some theatricality to your dance.

Sahira is a dancer in Houston who teaches both locally and has a fantastic online dance school. She’s known for her finger cymbals, her fantastic personality, and of course for being able to absolutely draw you in while she’s dancing. And the key to that? Bringing that emotion to your dance!

How many times have you been told to stare “past” the audience? Well not anymore!

Sahira shares her theories about why we tend not to practice this aspect of our dance as often, as well as some concrete steps you can take to add these subjects into your regular practice.

Cause if you don’t work on it in practice, it’s not magically come out in performance. That’s a quote from Sahira later on in this episode and it may become a new motto around here because it’s so on point.

Visit thebellydancebundle.com/98 to find the challenge Sahira mention, along with links to all the places you can hang out with Sahira online.

Today we have the wonderful Athena Howe and Adam Rivière to chat allllll about live music with ya’ll!

Athena is a Columbus, Ohio-based dancer who just like many of us, fell in love with the costuming and glamour of belly dance, and then fell head over heals for the music and culture. Especially live music!!

Adam is a  world percussionist, audio engineer and composer with almost 40 years

of experience and often plays shows with bellydancers

Together, the two have performed and taught at festivals and have also started online workshops together to teach dancers the ins and outs of dancing to live music.

Join them today as they talk about how live music fosters connection, and the return of one of our favorite questions from seasons past. What’s your best dance (or gig) mishap?

Skunks, Ouds, and musical connection are coming your way, you’re not gonna wanna miss this one! Find links to all of Athena & Adam's social media, PLUS their awesome drum solo Instagram challenge at www.thebellydancebundle.com/97

Today we welcome Debpariya Das to the podcast. Joining us from Bangalore, India, she’s here to share a little bit about her journey as an Oriental Bellydancer and her philosophies around fusing Indian Dance and Bellydance together. 

She’ll share with us her views on how culture plays into the fusion of the dances, the importance of solid foundations in each style, and some of what she’ll be bringing to the 2023 Bundle around these topics.

Check out the show notes page at www.thebellydancebundle.com/96 to get all the ways you can follow Debapriya online and to check out the awesome spinning challenge she made to go along with today’s episode!

Welcome to this mini-episode of Yallah Raqs! Today Ashley Rhianne is going to tell us a bit about her journey to becoming a dancer and a pilates instructor. 

She’ll be sharing what set her on her path, the benefits she’s seen in her own dance through the addition of cross-training in pilates and hows she’s seen pilates change her students dances as well.

This season is gonna be a bit different, so here's a little into to this Bundle Season!

Ebony and Tiffany sit down with brilliant dancers Raqs Razi, Lara Adrienne, Donna Mejia, Lotus Niraja and Nefertiti for an inspiring conversation about, and celebration of, their opportunities, learnings and stories of travel as Black artists.

Enjoy musings on favorite travel destinations and some wild excursion tales. They discuss working in a country of origin of this dance, exotisism and so much more. We hope this discussion inspires you, as well.

Shownotes at: www.thebellydancebundle.com/92

Ebony and Tiffany get together with incredible dancers Sadira LadyLiquid, Chudney, Nefertiti and Omoladun for a chat about what’s different about being Black in the bellydance world.

They muse about Black hair, being one of the only Black dancers in classes and competitions and finally having the feeling of belonging. Listen in as they talk about unique costuming concerns and touch upon differences in body types. We hope our discussion inspires you, as well.

Shownotes at www.thebellydancebundle.com/91

Ebony and Tiffany sit down with brilliant dancers Danielle Hutton, Lara Adriene, Raqs Razi, Nefertiti and Iona for a lively conversation about, and CELEBRATION of, seeing ourselves, Black dancers, in the spotlight. Listen in as they relate about their first time seeing a pro Black bellydancer and what that meant for them. They discuss imposter syndrome, encouraging one another and so much more. We hope this discussion inspires you, as well.

Get the shownotes at www.thebellydancebundle.com/90