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 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."

Heather Henna Louise

(USA)

"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!"

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."

Seiko Endo

(Japan)

"I recommend Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School to other students, that´s for sure.
But only those who are really interested in the authentic Egyptian dance and the culture behind it.
I have learned beautiful choreographies, received many beautiful learning materials, tips for self-practice, and some Arabic.
I have also learned practical ways to be self-confident through your course, which is indeed life-changing.
The reason I cannot leave her school is that she doesn't force her students to be her followers (totally the opposite!)
She values each student's individuality and guides us to be "ourselves," in dance and in life.

Taking your courses in 2020 was truly a great help for me, both physically and mentally.
Literally, you saved my life...Thank you."

Claudia Shazadi

(Colombia)

"I joined Joana´s online school very recently, this year, and have done 3 of her courses already, and looking forward to attending more.

The way Joana instills her love, respect and passion for the Oriental/Egyptian Dance made me come back and fall again in love with this dance after 5 years not dancing.

Her classes are not only about movements and learning a choreography, which is good but not enough; she goes deeper, opening our eyes to the Egyptian culture and the reason why the dance is so important and should be treated with more love and respect.

Joana also encourages her students to make a relationship in our lives and the way we dance making an introspection and re-connection with ourselves.

 
Every course I´ve taken is a journey through Egypt, its culture, and of course the DANCE, but also through my inner self.

 
I love her classes and all the material, because they bring me back to my start many years ago into the Oriental Dance, with my first teachers, leaving behind all the competition between dancers, and going back to the real important side. The pure essence."

Jill Shireen

(Canada)

"I am loving the courses I've taken at Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School, they are comprehensive, challenging and fun at the same time.

My dance feels more authentic because it's more authentically ME. Joana leaves no stone unturned and attends to every detail in one's life that needs attention in making them a better dancer.

Joana is an extremely knowledgeable and generous teacher who gives 150% to her students. In addition to providing rich detail and respect for the history and pioneers of the dance, her school provides a path to self-love and empowerment through her unique and caring teaching style."

Jian Sakakeeny

(China/USA)

"When a dance friend from the Philippines sent me the link to Joana’s Facebook Live chat on her Baladi Awadi course I didn’t realize that I was going to hit a jackpot that would enrich my dance life forever. The more courses that I take, the more I get hooked.

Before long, I have signed up 8 separate courses and most recently the annual membership for the signature course. But why? First of all, what appealed to me was the holistic approach that Joana takes to each of her courses, i.e. physical, emotional, and spiritual. And it makes total sense to learn how to integrate these elements to enhance the soulfulness of the dance, a passage leading to the divine. Secondly, all the courses that I have taken were well designed and really focused on each of my problematic areas such as shimmies, hands and arms, hips, traveling steps, how to interpret lyrics, etc. As the result, my vocabulary for each area got greatly expanded and my techniques, strengthened. Thirdly, Joana’s dance style is creative in such a way that really resonates with me. Furthermore, Joana is incredibly knowledgeable about not only Arabic music but also non Arabic music.

Since I started working with Joana four months ago I have created three choreographies. I noticed a dramatic difference between the ones that I created before and the new ones after Joana’s school. The creativity that Joana emphases so much has become a crucial driver in my approach. Suddenly I feel very liberated in my application of the techniques and concepts that I have learned. Joana often says that education and application go hand in hand. And I found that the creativity she instilled in us can really make the application take off.

I recommend Joana´s School to anyone because of the transformation that I have experienced in my choreographies and performances."

Linda Hadj

(Spain)

"This year, I subscribed to 4 courses at Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School and, honestly, her courses are amazing, I recommend them 100% because she teaches you the dance technique and choreography but the Egyptian Culture behind the dance, the mentality behind each movement.
Furthermore, she develops you on a personal level - emotionally and psychologically -, something that can help you evolve in your dance and in your life.
If you´re wondering if you should join her school, I´d say “don´t think twice, join it now!”

Alana Hessa Lastochkina

(Russia/Spain)

"I´m one of those super lucky and happy person = 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."