About Joana
Joana Saahirah is a world-renowned Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer specialized in Egyptian Oriental and Folkloric Dance, an Actress and an Author.
She´s known for her in-depth knowledge of Egyptian Dance, Music, and Culture based on her wide personal and professional experience on the field; her pioneering choreography and teaching methods, and her charismatic performances.
After almost a decade of Life and Career in Egypt, presenting her show, on a daily basis, with her own orchestra – rescuing the ORIGINS and ESSENCE of Egyptian Oriental and Folkloric Dance, Joana Saahirah has created a style (of teaching, choreographing and performing) that UNITES EAST and WEST; the best of Egypt and the best of the Western world; technique and expression; healing and art; the reconnection of MIND, HEART, BODY and SOUL.
In recent years, Joana has been a constant presence – as an invited artist, choreographer, teacher, and lecturer – at the major International Oriental Dance Festivals.
She's taught, performed, and lectured all over the world. She's studied and worked as a choreography and teaching assistant with Master Mahmoud Reda – aka The Father of Egyptian Dance Folklore & co-founder of the iconic Reda Troupe – from whom she learned Egyptian Dance Folkloric styles.
She has studied with the legends of Egyptian Dance, such as Shokry Mohamed, Souhair Zaki, Nagwa Fouad, Azza Sherif, and Mona el Said, just to name a few, and traveled around Egypt to research the roots of its music and dance. Joana has recovered the SOUL of Oriental Dance and Egyptian Folklore and it's her Dream and Mission to share it with the world revealing the true richness and ancient wisdom hidden in this art form.
Joana has written for newspapers, magazines and websites (about Egyptian culture, music and dance as well as Creativity, Self-Discovery & Empowerment) such as the Elephant Journal and Zaghareet Magazine, amongst others, and two books: ”The Secrets of Egypt – Dance, Life & Beyond” and “Behind the Curtain”. She´s currently working on new books, including her “Egyptian Odyssey”, the “Baladi Book of Wisdom” and a Happiness Guide.
She has created “Messages from The Womb” and Video Notes for Dancers, available on her Youtube channel, a series of video lectures that are inspiring dancers from every corner of the globe.
She´s the founder of Joana Saahira's Online Dance School, which offers innovative online courses combining authentic Egyptian Dance – Oriental & Folkloric – with Self-Discovery and Empowerment as well as Private Coaching Courses for students who wish to go deeper into Egyptian Dance, their own unique path and source of power.
She has received global acclaim for her contribution to the Art of Egyptian Dance (aka Raks Sharki). Thousands of dancers have been touched by her Vision. Here are some of the countries where she has performed, taught and lectured:
Egypt, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Israel, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Russia, Siberia, Ukraine, Poland, USA (4 Tours in a row including cities like New York, Chicago, Savannah, Alaska, Atlanta, Delaware Portland, Oregon), Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Italy, New Zealand, amongst others.
The 3 Life-Changing Lessons Egyptian Dance has taught me.
Get my free guide on The 3 Egyptian Dance Lessons that changed my Life (and will change YOURS).
“Behind the Curtain”
(a collaboration between Joana Saahirah and the Slovenian Photographer, Breda Jurecko.)
What lies behind a stage curtain? What happens inside an Oriental Dancer, the eternal damned “odalisque”, beyond appearances? What does it mean to be a passionate Creator, a Woman who´s not afraid to be her full – untamed – self? This and other questions are answered in this book, a collaboration between Joana Saahirah, a world-known Oriental Dancer, and Breda Jurečko, a photographer with a very special perspective. This book brings the hidden, perhaps most interesting, side of an Oriental Dancer´s life, to the light.
Get your copy of the book HERE.“The Secrets of Egypt – Dance, Life & Beyond"
(A Journey of Death and Rebirth in the country of the Pyramids)
“Once upon a time I had a dream and I chased it." This Magical Book tells about my Adventure in Egypt, the Price we pay for our Dreams and the Wisdom we gather on the Journey up the Mountain.
Almost killed, chased, shocked and amazed with an Egyptian (fascinating) underworld very few foreigners ever get to know. How did I end up living and performing in Egypt for almost a decade, succeeding in my career against all odds? How did I do it* when everyone yelled: YOU CAN’T?!
Get your copy of the book HERE.
