Joana Saahirah´s World Blog

A Collection of Articles, Videos, and Freebies on Egyptian Dance, Self-Discovery & Empowerment

Singing in the rain with the Master, Mahmoud Reda

 

That was our first work trip together outside of Egypt. In Brighton, the UK, a little, cozy, town with dollhouses.

I was assisting Mahmoud Reda, the Father of Egyptian Folklore and the genius behind the "Reda Troupe", in his workshops and I was also teaching mine.

Mahmoud and I, having lunch, during a break at the festival where we taught in Brighton (the beautiful and talented dancer, Orit Maftsir, is in the group ;) )

 

In the evening, there was a show. I performed, watching Mahmoud´s face...

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The biggest GIFT any teacher can give you

 

Have you ever met a Teacher who changed you or/and the course of your life?

They say the teacher appears when the student´s ready. I´ve always been ready to learn; always curious, thriving for more, deeper, better. 

I´m many things - a Teacher, a Dancer, a Choreographer, an Author and - but, mostly, I´m an Eternal Student. Understandably, loads of powerful teachers have popped, from time to time, into my life.

From all the amazing teachers I was privileged to study with, Mahmoud Reda stands...

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How to turn YOUR dreams into reality (Joana Saahirah´s Tool Kit)

Today, we have a New Moon in Aquarius, the symbol of innovation, out of the box thinking & doing; visions and dreams. 

Every year, month, day are opportunities to DREAM and to TAKE ACTION towards our dreams. I believe in this - I´ve been living it since I can remember.

None of what I´ve done in my career and personal life would be possible if I wasn´t a PROFESSIONAL DREAM MAKER. I can only teach from experience - I teach what I am, do, live.

As we enter 2020, the DREAMS we hold dear to our ...

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Celebrate YOURSELF, your DANCE, your LIFE

 

I know the preparation for the NEW YEAR usually focuses on our DREAMS and, hopefully, in the STEPS we have to take in order to materialize them. That´s all good. Though not enough.

Experience has taught me there are too many plans for the future and too little APPRECIATION for the path already walked. We´ve all been the recipient of opportunities, blessings, lessons, hardships and victories; we´ve all been given the sweet and the sour. But few of us look back to

GIVE THANKS.

Today, I look ...

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What happens - in your dance & in your life - when your heart is closed?

 

Egyptian Dance has become a competition, an endless marathon, a game of divas, lobbies, and marketing-made stars. I´m not complaining, just stating. Knowing where we are helps us define where we want to go.

 

Within this trend, there´s no space for EMOTION, SOUL, PRESENCE, LIFE.

The Egyptian Dance scene has become an extension of the world we´re currently living in, one that´s obsessed with EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY, GOAL ACHIEVEMENT, MACHINE-LIKE SPEED & PERFECTIONISM, TIME MANAGEMENT and a...

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What is FREEDOM?

 

Teaching is learning twice. Indeed.

As I work on the NEW ONLINE COURSE "My first Tabla Solo - Introduction to Rhythm & Freedom" (Click HERE to discover this pioneering course), I´m invited to go deeper into dance, rhythm, and freedom. 

From these elements, FREEDOM is the trickiest and also the most important. 

If you´ve been following me and my work, you know I don´t separate Egyptian Dance from Life. What we learn for the first applies to the second. And vice-versa.

No surprise, then, when ...

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Precious Lessons I learned from Mahmoud Reda, the Father of Egyptian Folklore

My path, in life as in dance, hasn´t always been easy but it has been rich, filled with evolution, joy, accomplishments, pleasure, and blessings.

One of the biggest gifts I received was Mahmoud Reda´s friendship, teachings, and support. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Mahmoud Reda

If you love Egyptian Dance and you don´t know Mahmoud Reda and/or The Reda Troupe, you have to change it. Educate yourself, starting HERE and HERE

When I moved to Egypt and launched my first shows with an entire - handpi...

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