I teach a personal Freestyle form that allows each woman to express herself in a personal, spontaneous way without the stress of memorizing a routine. I also work to integrate the body, mind and spirit with this ancient dance form. I use Egyptian Folk & Classical Cabaret, Turkish Gypsy, and Tribal styles, which when mixed by each individual, become our truly American Style Belly Dancing!

Body Awareness is an important aspect of my teaching style, too. When we aren't listening to bodily input we also lose Body Wisdom. We throw the baby out with the bath water. Belly Dancing facilitates an intimate connection for graceful movement, balance, poise, etc., which in turn facilitate enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence. Every Belly Dancer becomes a beautiful woman able to love her body. Age, figure, weight, ability, etc., become unimportant when learning the Joy of Belly Dancing.

Creative movement integrates the body with the mind. The mind has both intellectual and emotional capacities to express in Belly Dance. Intellectually the Dancer creates a work of Art, concerned with intensity, variation, lines and form against the musical background. Emotionally the Dancer creates interpretive expression that meshes personal with each musical phrase.

Body and Mind align with spirit as the 3 weave a tapestry of Self born deep from within her inner child and moves out into the Universe. Personally, I find that Belly Dance is Meditation-in-Motion and I can reach altered states of awareness with certain moves. Having A.D.D., I have difficulty taming my thoughts to focus on a single word, breath or object. In motion, I become deeply focused without effort.

Thusly, Belly Dancing can function at whatever level of yourself that you desire or need to explore. On a physical level it becomes non-impact aerobics, fun movement that works all muscles groups, much like swimming does. When you enjoy the exercise, you are more likely to stick to it, too!!

Mentally, it becomes a stimulating creative Art Medium for your personal expression. Public Performing can add to this, letting you share your creations, though never required. Any time a mirror is present, you are performing for your own enjoyment!!

Spiritually, Belly Dance can take you to a level of deep inner peace and regenerate personal life-force with flowing Tai-Chi type moves. Here one can be free of the Ego's censorship and fears and open to the wisdom of one's higher self.

About me: I began Belly Dance classes in Baltimore, MD in 1974 with Saadet from Dundalk. I first performed at Kismet Turkish Restaurant in Chatham Mall in Nov. 1976. From there I went to Emin Gunduz's Turkish club, the Salaam, in Washington, D.C. Since then I have performed Cabaret Style Belly Dance in 7 states and Canada in mostly Ethnic Clubs with Live Ethnic Bands. I currently live with my 18-year-old son and too many cats near Roanoke, Virginia, and am a psychology major at Hollins University.The photo above was taken at Pennsic 28 in my SCA Middle Eastern Dance garb. Currently my favorite style is what I refer to as Gothic Tribal... lilting, liquid and graceful over a strong dark throbbing beat to create an intoxicating visual feast of hypnotic movement.