Taking online classes with Joana Saahirah has allowed me to fall even more in love with Oriental dance than I thought possible.

As a teacher, Joana doesn't teach steps, she cultivates artists.

She expects nothing less than your authentic self in every move, and she is a living example of that integrity.

Don't get me wrong, she can break down a shimmy with the best of them, but connecting you to the purpose behind that shimmy is where Joana truly shines as a teacher.

Whether in class or on stage, she is unapologetically creative and alive. Not only does she dance outside of the box, but she respects the hell out of that box, too!

From our first class, Joana has pinpointed exactly what I needed and laid out exercises and inspirations to get me there. I truly look forward to my practice these days, which is often self-discovery.

Learning from Joana is the most serious kind of fun.

Thank you, Joana!"

- Heather Henna Louise (USA)

The best thing that happened to me in 2020 in the dance field was to discover Joana Saahirah's online dance school.

Joana's teachings are what I will gladly carry with me into 2021 and further as I grow both in dance and on a personal level.

When I first saw Joana's video performances, I was glued to the screen. I was captured by her presence, her unique style, and charisma.

Intrigued, I decided to check out her online school courses.

There I uncovered immense amounts of material, invaluable insights into dance and life in general, and a very rich, deeply caring, giving person.

Joana's guidance has given me confidence in my path as a dancer and a human being.

She has given me tools to achieve my dance goals.

And in her magical ways, she has helped me find answers to profound questions.

Joana leads by example and it shows in everything that she offers to her students.

The material that she gives is always rich, captivating, and enlightening.

I´d highly recommend Joana's school of dance to dancers of any level and of any background.

There´s something special and highly useful in her teachings for everyone."

- Xenia Leonteva (Kyrgyzstan)

 Before starting to study with Joana I first fell in love and felt inspired by her dancing, wherein I found something "mystical" that makes me always think that Federico Fellini would have put her inside one of its magical movies.

Joana, as a teacher, is truly a gift.

She teaches without any reserve and she never stops giving, I'm always impressed about the amount of amazing contents she manages to give!

She conceived a peculiar "format" for his courses, that makes the process of learning fun, enjoyable and stimulating, because she gives, in addiction to the dance classes, many things to discover little by little. I always have the feeling I am a child with a box full of colorful toys to play with.

What I'd like to underline among everything is that Joana has the will to give her students fundamental tools for a more autonomous development of the dance. That it also means that she teaches at a "multilevel" way, always entering the field of self development.

I personally feel I have, with her, the chance to make order among everything, not only among the huge world that concerns "oriental dance", because joana spreads a direct knowledge of the egyptian culture, not only studied, but truly lived and absorbed beneath the skin, so she can put, and she wisely does, the dance teaching into contextualization; but also, I feel I'm developing a deeper understanding of what  dance technique is made of.

I personally realized that Joana lets you "return" to the dance technique, as kind of something your body belong to, something it deserves and it should explore, to feel more. 

Definitely huge and well beyond expectation."

- Asphalt (Italy)

I´m very happy to have met Joana on my Oriental Dance path.

In her courses and method I´ve found answers to several needs and questions.

For instante, I´ve learned about the essence of Egyptian Dance, what is essential and what makes it magical.

Everything Joana shares in her courses fascinates me: the concepts she introduces, the exercises she proposes help you find, recognize, and build the unique dancer each of us carries within.

In all of her courses, I find an integrated and permanent way to develop self-empowerment, Egyptian Dance technique, and the essence of each style, all of it backed-up by the great richness of Joana´s experience in Egypt and her studies with the greatest musicians and Egyptian Dance masters. Furthermore, she does it all in a fun and vibrant way.

I´m deeply thankful for her generosity and for her willingness to create work that brings real evolution in her students.

Each course at Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School is a meeting with myself, with my personal powers and unrecognized gifts.

Basically, I´m witnessing major growth in my dance and, above all, I feel happier and able to express who I am." 

- Dana Moreno (Colombia)

Yes, simply the BEST.

She pours out so much love, passion, light through the screen to all students and it inspires me so much.

There had been doubts, confusions in my head but she is the one saying exactly what I need to hear to awaken myself.

Now, I feel my heart is more open for every movement.

Her classes change the landscape of my dance basically. She is such a blessing to the education of Egyptian Dance today."

- Zoe Ni (USA/China)

To study Egyptian dance with Joana Saahirah is to embark on an incredible personal journey — a journey of self-discovery, re-education, and expansive growth.

This is not a course of study for those who are game to join the “belly dance bandwagon” or those simply looking to spice up their exercise regimen.

It is not for the weak-hearted, you will find yourself nudged (gently, thoughtfully) outside comfort zones in order to ensure your progress.

Warning: boldness and courage may be required!

Aimed at achieving a fundamental change in our understanding of and relationship to Oriental dance, Joana’s coursework is extensive, holistic.

Her courses include (but are certainly not limited to) re-learning/re-thinking the basics of Oriental dance, understanding the soul of Egypt and its people, knowing the role(s) of Egyptian dance within cultural and spiritual contexts (both modern and historical), finding the relationships between movement, stillness, and geometry, exploring sensualism, musicality and the relationship(s) between dance, other art forms, and life.

At their core, Joana’s private lessons are about the very personal process of unfoldment; an alchemical journey toward an artful embodiment of dance — a journey back to self, back to the artist within. Along the way, you may rediscover the tender balance between expansive motion and quiet calm. Throughout you will find an atmosphere of authenticity. Joana’s teaching is about discovering your own answers, taking your own path of discovery to the heart of Oriental dance that resides within yourself, and then having the audacity to embrace it, nourish it, share it.

In two months of study with Joana, I have experienced as much growth as I have in the last two years of studio classes. More importantly, however, is the unique synthesis, context, and connections I now understand by learning in this special way.

My very personal journey has purposefully, artfully meandered as easily from Bauhaus to Glenn Gould to the Dionysian Mysteries as it has from Baladi to Tarab to Mawal. As Joana repeats like a mantra, “It’s all connected. 

What an incredible ride…what an incredible gift."

- Justine Riekena (USA)

There are many types of Teachers, and then there are special Master Teachers like Joana Saahirah who take the transformational power of what they do in their skin, and that exhales, it passes on to all of the students who receive her Teachings because the best teaching is to love what we do.

To study with this prestigious dancer & master is like embarking on an endless adventure, a trip with no return, a very intimate and deep journey.

Her classes are unmatched. Her world is magic; she´s magical."

- Mariana Artaza (Argentina)

There are many types of Teachers, and then there are special Master Teachers like Joana Saahirah who take the transformational power of what they do in their

The success of Joana Saahirah's Online Dance School in my book is down to one thing: Joana Saahirah.

She is undoubtedly one of the most originally-minded, passionate, knowledgeable, and masterful teachers I've met in the Egyptian Dance field and beyond - and I've studied with many.

A course in Joana's online school is not just a technique class - it's a captivating, immersive experience that speaks to your heart, mind and soul. Not only do you get access to a choreography and a breakdown of Egyptian Dance technique, when you study with Joana, you're in for an adventure that will enrich your dance practice and your development as a human being.

Her methodology will offer you an opportunity to grow your life skill set.

Joana has effectively interlaced dance instruction with her view on the values and qualities inherent in Egyptian Dance and how to develop them in your personal life. She calls this training self-empowerment which is a the root of Egyptian Dance. It really doesn't matter how much personal growth work you may have already done.

I have a dance therapy background as a practitioner, and I've found her approach to dance/life skill instruction to be challenging, growthful and brilliantly unique.

I've noticed changes on a number of levels, most importantly in my expressiveness and in the fluidity of my movement. Joana doesn't shy away from opening her heart and revealing the power of her emotions.

She embodies her dance with such soulfulness - and encourages her students to do the same. Her gorgeous rendition of arm and hand technique - and the general fluidity that characterizes all of her movement - has nurtured my own skill for which I'm grateful.

Moreover, I'm solidifying my daily dance practice with an aim to furthering my own choreography. I credit my progress to my recent experience in the 30-day Challenge: Change Your Life With Egyptian Dance. In my many years of dance study, I've yet to find a dance teacher with such a holistic approach to instruction.

I recommended the school to other students who would appreciate this rich a learning experience.

Joana asks a lot of her students because she is dedicated to helping them produce the results they are seeking. For all she expects, you will benefit abundantly."

- Madelyn Farr (USA)

I´m one of those super lucky and happy people = Joana's student and I can't thank her enough for all that she's shared with me, taught me, for her huge help to find my difficulties not only in dance but also in life.

I´m so excited to continue our path and see what comes next, because I never know what to expect but I am completely sure it will be a magic discovery, a precious experience, a light that will guide me in my way called Life.

I can't recommend Joana enough.

You just ought to try her classes, and it is not what I am saying, but what comes from the deepest part of my heart."

- Alana Hessa Lastochkina (Spain/Russia)

She´s a really *magical* dancer and teacher, my understanding of Egyptian dance (and my dance) has been trans-formative, deepened, since taking ONLY her online classes!

She develops each class personally based on your needs that are visible (and invisible) to you.

What you think you know, you really have no idea!

I don't even know how to begin without writing a novel.

I can only imagine what her live classes/workshops are like!

Not only does she develop your dance, but your understanding of Egyptian history, the people and their culture, and learning the heart of it all... the great secrets to this dance you don't hear about in your normal classes.

Time is spent in EACH class developing not only your dance but your understanding of the magic behind it all.

Sometimes, in very unusual but exciting, and interesting ways."

- Yara Sultan (USA)