Joana Saahirah´s World Blog

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

What I Learned from Egyptian Women

Joana Saahirah World
What I Learned from Egyptian Women
22:02
 

After many years of career and life in Egypt, and in other countries of the Middle East & North Africa, here´s something I have to admit: 

I A-D-O-R-E Egyptian Women and I´ve learned a great deal from them. 

Want me to lift the veil, just a bit, and share the goodies with you?

Your wish is my command. 

 

In this Blog Audio Post, I´m sharing a few of the most precious lessons I´ve learned from Egyptian and Arab Women I met.

Grab a cup of tea....

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Intimate Conversation on Mahmoud Reda, Saiidi & I

Joana Saahirah World
Intimate Conversation on Mahmoud Reda, Saiidi & I
14:35
 

There are a million things I could tell you about Mahmoud Reda, the role he had - and will always have - in my Dance & in my Life, and his legacy.

 

Here´s where you can start, by listening to this INTIMATE short PODCAST EPISODE I recorded for you. In it, you´ll know a bit of what Mahmoud taught me about Saiidi, folklore, and the meaning of true love for dance.

Imagine you´re taking coffee with me. Sit comfortably. Listen to it.

Enjoy. 

 

For...

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Wanna be Perfect or Happy?

We live in a world of illusions. One of the biggest and most harmful illusions of all is the concept of perfection.

Social Media sells the illusion of perfect homes, perfect bodies, perfect lives. We´re inundated by images of perfection and, even without wanting to, we compare our reality to the supposed reality we see.

We feel less than...not as great/happy/amazing/special as...

The mainstream field of Egyptian Dance sells the illusion of perfect movements, perfect dance, perfect dance...

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The most important thing you can do for Yourself

 

The year is coming to an end. Can I hear an Amen?

 

 

As I prepare to close an old door - 2020 - and open a new one - hello, 2021! -, I focus on the things that´ll allow me to step up my game in dance, as in life. Here´s one of them.

This may be the most important thing you can do for yourself. Right now. Always.

 

Most of us are clueless about the power we hold within; we presume life happens to us and not through us. There are much powerlessness and...

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How Saiidi Changed my Life

It feels like I´m walking alone for a long time. 

The way I see Egyptian Dance is new, though based on ancient wisdom and history, and the way I practice it is out of the box, mostly misunderstood and eventually copied by others in my industry.

One of the things I´ve been doing - teaching, writing, and speaking about - for a long time, in perfect solitude, is to claim there´s a direct connection between Egyptian Dance and Life. 

What I learn for Egyptian Dance, I...

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How I remain grounded & positive (even through the storms)

 

It´s been a crazy ride - this year, this decade, this life. 

Whoever knows me, even superficially, often comments on my unwavering positivity and strength.

- Even when you´re in deep s"#$%, you´re still going up and delivering inspiring work! The sadder you are, the more positive you seem to be.- A friend recently told me with a mix of admiration and criticism. 

-You´re always on the move, accomplishing your dreams, no matter what. - People have...

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The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool

Imagine a world where you rely on can yourself for guidance, strength, wisdom, and direction.

Imagine a world where you dream and accomplish those dreams, where you know, ´cause you know, the power to be the person you wish to become is within.

That world is my concept of SELF-EMPOWERMENT, one of the keys to my career and life.

 

Now, let´s get clear:

Self-Empowerment, like every other subject on the face of the earth, means different things for different people.

For me, the...

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Born this way (from lamb to lion)

 

I was once asked if I "was born this way" by a beautiful student who was participating in one of my workshops in Merano, Italy.

In fact, I was asked that question, in different disguises, on several occasions.

How did I get here - to this point of self-awareness and assurance, a place where I can be my full self, unapologetically, and claim the freedom of not bothering about what others think of me?

Self-Confidence may be a feature most will associate with me and I have, in fact,...

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What I´m loving, this Summer (by Joana Saahirah)

Seasons have always been fluid in my life - I´ve spent Summers in rainy-frozen places and Christmases in sunny paradises; I´ve spent New Year´s Eve performing, worked through Easter, and rested when the world was running.

In more than one way, I´ve created my rhythm, my "parallel" reality, my highly personalized world.

This is why despite living by the beach and reminding myself we´re in August, I haven´t had time to bake in the sun; instead, I´ve...

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Love Letter to Mahmoud Reda (by Joana Saahirah)

 

 

Artists carry the blessing and the doom of the awakened heart - everything they (we) do comes from their internal world, from their core; it´s personal; it has their blood, memories, and soul in it.

I´ve made it loud and clear from the start of my career (20 years, already!): everything I do is personal. My dance on stage is personal; my choreographies, workshops, classes, lectures, and writing - personal, from my bones.

Furthermore, I don´t believe in Creation that...

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