Sabia from the Asmara Initiative joins me to talk about the amazing work they're doing there as well as their upcoming event this weekend.

In addition, we dive into how Sabia brings back workshops to her dance practice and how people at different levels can use different techniques to process the information they're learning.

We have a challenge to go along with today's podcast which you can check out on our Instagram, or on the shownotes page. You'll be entered to win a workshop from this weekend's event, Where you'll see a familiar face in the lineup with Chudney Raks! Joined by Brandy Asmara, Omoladun, and Constance WinnYaa!

Shownotes: www.TheBellydanceBundle.com/60

Lisa joins me today to talk about how you can keep the momentum from the #21daysofbellydance going.

Or how you can even just get started in your practice.

It is so important for us, as dancers, to practice.

And yet we find ourselves resisting it or getting stuck and not being able to fully dive in.

Then the guilt spiral starts.

Let's break the cycle and look at this from a scientific perspective. With her background in Cognitive Behavioral Science Lisa marries the dance world with science to get you practicing the way that you want to.

Today I have with me Nefertiti who, along with Soumaya, Amar Garcia, Tammy Jonson,  Khuzama, Cynthia, Hanane El , have agreed to put the Bellydancer’s Call to Action into this year’s bundle.

This event was organized in the summer of 2020 and is a must listen for all dancers who are working to unpack their privilege. It was a chance for Black and Brown dancers to share their lived experiences and knowledge around racism in our dance community.

Nefertiti goes into why now was the time to put this panel together, and what those of us with privilege can begin to do, right now, to be better.

Katie joins me today to talk about something that we all interact with every day.

Social Media.

Love it or hate it, it's something that you can use to propel your business forward, and that as a student, you can utilize to push your practice and learn more from dancers all over the world.

But only if you can use it effectively. Today Katie and I chat about marketing yourself and your business and how social media is such a huge part of that.

We touch on the super successful #socialshimmy challenge along with breaking the "norms" on social media.

It's jam packed with useful information, so have a listen!

Today Sadie joins us to talk about quite a few important topics in our dance practice.

Flipping our Negativity bias, and mentors being just two of them. We dive into how she decides what to teach, and how we can use something being difficult as a light and not as fuel for self-hate.

You can do so much with this mindset shift!

Shownotes: https://thebellydancebundle.com/57

Today we have with us Sahra Kent, also known as Sahra Saeeda. She's the brilliant mind behind Journey Through Egypt and I am so excited to bring her on to talk about research.

Whether you know it or not, you are doing research ALL THE TIME. Any time you learn something, seek out a new teacher, go down a Youtube rabbit hole, or read a book or article? All research.

And sometimes that research can be a bit...contradictory. 

Today Sahra walks us through her Table's metaphor a little bit as a way to start processing all the different puzzle pieces that you've come across along your dance journey.

Because we gather a LOT of information and sorting it can only make it easier for us to learn!

Do you know that Tarab has multiple meanings?

There can be a LOT of confusion around this term, and we're here to clear it up a bit.

Shahrzad joins me today to talk about Tarab. What it means, and what difficulties dancers face when trying to dance to this particular style of movement.

And, of course, some things that you can work on in your home practice!

Show Notes: www.TheBellydanceBundle.com/54

On this episode, we’ll be diving into ARMS with Katayoun.

And no matter where you are In your dance journey. I know your arms are giving you grief.

As a beginner's arms feel so awkward, and by the time you get to working on them it's a whole other skill you have to learn, which can be frustrating.

Today we talk about why students have a hard time with arms, how Katayoun practices her arms every day, and she even gives us what is now my favorite piece of advice about armwork.

But you'll have to listen to find out what it is!

Show notes: www.TheBellydanceBundle.com/53

Today Mahin joins us to talk about how shimmies should be just as unique as your fingerprint.

We each have our best, most comfortable shimmy that is absolutely unique to us. The trouble sometimes is in finding it!

Mahin brings such a great anatomical light to her classes. Anatomy, technique, and style mixed together is my absolute favorite.

So join us as we chat shimmies and go into some pretty amazing metaphors for our bodies in dance.

Melissa Gamal joins me today to talk personal stylings and The Golden Era.

We chat about not only Golden Era dancers, but on the importance of looking at a dance within the context of the time, the culture, and what was going on at the time.

Then we get into the personal stylings and how personality comes through in your dance. It's so important to be authentic, but authenticity can be hard to find so Melissa gives us some AMAZING tips on finding your stylization and what feels right for you as you proceed on your dance journey

Show Notes: www.TheBellydanceBundle.com/51