Belly dance is an ancient art that has been, and continues to be, performed as tradition, ritual, worship, celebration and entertainment! Its birthplace is the Middle East and North Africa, but is now an art form that is studied and performed all over the world in a variety of different styles and flavors. In the West, Middle Eastern dance is known as "Belly dance", a term that was coined after the Chicago Fair in the 1890’s. In the East it is known as Oriental Dance or Raqs Sharki which is translated "Dance of the East". Belly dance is for women, of all ages, shapes and sizes. A dance that honors the body, awakens the spirit and invokes consciousness.
As a young girl, raised in a strict conservative household dancing was not allowed, but dance was in my heart, rhythm was in my bones movement was in my hips, you could see it in my walk! I had no idea of what I truly wanted to be, but knew I had to make a difference in peoples lives! As a wife, mother and aerobic instructor in search of a new way to exercise my body, I discovered my passion and true love! In finding belly dance, I found my way, a way to help woman feel alive, beautiful, enriched, revitalized and connected, not only within themselves, but also to their "dance sisters", just as I do every time the music speaks to my soul and echoes through my body, as I share my DANCE!