Photo by Lorelle Ceccato
The beauty of Middle Eastern dance has always thrilled me but I never thought that it was something that I could ever do. That was until I picked up Nerissa’s card at a restaurant in March 2013 after being awed by her performance, to discover that she teaches bellydance. The next Tuesday evening, I turned up to class, unsure of what to expect. I had never been to a dance class before and found what was asked of my body incredibly challenging, but I was hooked. Tuesdays are now my favourite day of the week, and I look forward to attending Nerissa’s beginners, intermediate and advanced classes every Tuesday evening.
For me, bellydance means so much.
It is a fantastic mode of physical exercise: by the end of each class, I feel that all of my muscles have been given a full work out. I feel that I am developing core strength, drilling key movements, becoming fitter and more confident in my own skin.
It is a social experience: I have met so many wonderful women both in class and at the workshops hosted by QBA. I am grateful for the friendship and support I have found in my teachers and classmates.
It is a means of creative expression: whilst focusing on good technique, Nerissa encourages us to express ourselves through the dance. This is particularly true of improvisation sessions in which we are asked to use our understanding of the music and dance to unknown music. This is always an exciting and terrifying challenge.
It is a cultural experience: I love Nerissa’s authentic style that pays respect to the culture from which each dance comes and enables us to appreciate and engage with the culture, the music and the dance. She explains the lyrics, gestures, attitude and expressions so that we don’t just act, we understand. This is especially important for me. As a lifelong student of cultural anthropology, and having lived and travelled widely throughout the Middle East and North Africa I want to learn a more genuine aspect of the culture through dance, rather than a caricature of it.
I am so grateful for having found QBA and attending Nerissa’s classes and am forever indebted to her and my other teachers for bringing so much joy, colour and beauty into my life. I cannot imagine my life without dance.
