Chiharu Hotta

(Japan)

“Thank you so much for the amazing course “Shimmy Wonderland”! I love this Course. Learning shimmy with beautiful music was really fun and I never experienced Tarab when I attended any classes (even in real life) before. I learned not only techniques but all the possibilities that I can use shimmies for. Also, Joana teaches how important it is to find our unique dance style, not to be a copycat. It was a huge eye-opener for me and gave me the courage to start experimenting and creating! Since I started to create and experiment my dance, I became more confident in real life. I started to create new things and take actions to achieve my goals. Ex.1-I volunteered as an English-Japanese translator at my company. (I have been wanting to use my English for work but I was always scared of being judged by people before so I never used my English.) Ex.2-I am finally organizing my small belly dance event! (I have a dream to become a professional belly dancer. I used to just wait for somebody to make the dream come true for me. but your words encouraged me and I decided to create my own show! A big thank you, Joana. I´d totally recommend this Course to dancers. Absolutely yes! Your classes change dancers' lives. I cannot thank you enough.

Madelyn Farr

(USA)

I loved "Shimmy Wonderland". In addition to the shimmering choreography and the breakdown of the shimmy variations, there was an assortment of video goodies that enhanced the program. The Bonus MasterClass “Shimmies as a Healing Tool” was particularly engrossing and useful. I completed the challenge to do a daily 20-minute shimmy session for a week to achieve clarity and grounding around a decision needed to be made and to facilitate the release of a belief or pattern of behavior no longer serving me. In all, this is a course that goes well beyond standard technical instruction and choreography. Like all of Joana's offerings, you're treated to a rich body of relevant information, in this case, on the merits of shimmies as a choreographic enhancer and as a tool for self-development and healing - plus all of the bonus treats that bring the student a wealth of insight into Egyptian Dance. I appreciate Joana's evident commitment to her students' progress. She added live classes to the curriculum to meet the particular learning needs of her students. Joana shares her time, her care and knowledge generously and as her students, we're all the better for it!  

I reaped several benefits from the Course.

First, I've developed my stamina and dexterity through a  daily practice of shimmies as instructed in the course. My participation in the Shimmies as a Healing Tool challenge revealed the power of shimmies to generate energy and resolve when I'm lagging or unfocused. As a result, I plan to continue the practice for that purpose. I particularly appreciated the lesson on creativity which was edifying as it strongly validated my own choreographic process. Last but not least, the course increased my appetite to learn more about ED which I plan to do once I submit this course survey.

I'd gladly recommend the course to other dancers who are interested in a multi-layered approach to learning. The application of shimmies beyond their execution strictly as a dance move is intriguing. This course is designed to engage the body, mind, heart, and soul. Any committed student taking this and other courses with Joana will always gain a great deal in more than initially meets the eye. 

Asphalt

(Italy)

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.

Dana Moreno

(Colombia)

 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.

Zoe Ni 

(China/USA)

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.

Yara Sultan

(Savannah, USA)

She is 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.

Alana Hessa Svetlana Lastochkina

(Russia/Spain)

And that is true! I am 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 am 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.