About the author,
Joana Saahirah
Joana Saahirah is a world-renowned Oriental Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, and Author known for her achievements in the field of Egyptian Dance and for her unique Dance & Teaching Style.
She started her career in Egypt where she spent almost a decade of her life performing, researching, and recovering the roots of Egyptian Dance.
She´s the creator of the pioneering Joana Saahirah´s World & Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School delivering authentic Egyptian Dance, Personal Discovery & Empowerment.
During the decade she performed in Egypt, presenting herself and her orchestra at the best venues of the country, she also worked with the Father of Egyptian Folklore, Mahmoud Reda as his teaching and choreography assistant.
Joana has traveled the world to teach, perform, judge, and lecture at the most prestigious events and festivals in the field of Egyptian Oriental & Folkloric Dance.
She has shared her unique vision and teaching method, combining authentic Egyptian Dance & Personal Empowerment, in countries like Oman, Lebanon, China, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Cyprus, France, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, Ireland, Ukraine, Israel, Czech Republic, among other countries.
She´s published articles in specialized magazines and in newspapers; aside from publishing 3 books:
"The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond",
"Behind the Curtain",
and, the now recently released,
"The Lessons I Learned from the Master".
- For more information about her trajectory, mission, and vision, feel welcome to visit her official website - CLICK HERE TO VISIT JOANA SAAHIRAH´S WORLD WEBSITE
Glimpses into
"The Lessons I Learned from the Master"
"An employee from the theatre took Mahmoud by the arm and followed him into the bathroom (someone had accepted his invitation, after all). I kept laughing by myself and adoring him even more, imagining the jokes he´d be cracking at the urinal, with his peeing company by his side, without a hint of shame or pedantry.
This was Mahmoud.
He took his dance seriously, more seriously than anyone I've ever met, but he didn't take himself seriously. He was a person - as magnificent and fallible as everybody else - and he was aware of it.
His self-confidence was of the truest kind: one that comes from excellence, self-respect, character and kindness. He had no need for arrogance; and held a deep need for connection. So, he connected.
The show was wonderful but I have to confess: what I remember the most from that trip was the moment Mahmoud announced he had to pee and invited the world - Egyptians and foreigners - to join him in the bathroom.
That was his essence. His charm. And wisdom.
Take what you love, seriously; take your dance, commitments, relationships, and responsibilities seriously.
No need to take yourself seriously, though. We´re all going to die soon. Let's have the most possible fun while we´re alive.
We´re human, fragile, made of dust; we´re ridiculous and miraculous; animals who need to pee; mediocre and extraordinary; creators of the unexpected; creatures made of clay who also happen to be Divine."
"- I wash your hand, you wash mine. - Her mantra.
Suddenly, I was the best. God knows why.
I laughed at the randomness of life. At the absurd.
- What did I tell you? - Mahmoud asked, once he heard the news - People end up recognizing the ones who rise up due to their value and work, no matter how uneducated or mean they may be.
As usual, we talked for a little bit and spent the rest of the morning in the dance studio, doing what we did best: dance.
Mahmoud taught me that we can´t avoid snakes and dragons; we cannot change people or wish they´ll act according to our principles and perspective. The only thing we can control is ourselves, the investment we put into our dance and life. In that investment, in that sacred focus, lies our true and only power."
"- I have to make this work but I don't know how. I´m not inspired. - I told Mahmoud at the end of another unsuccessful morning of work at his studio.
- You don't have to be inspired. You just have to trust yourself and do it. - He answered.
- It's easy for you to say it. You´re Mahmoud Reda. - I answered back, impatient.
For Mahmoud, there were no bad days, no bad mood, no “lack of inspiration”, no excuses.
There was work to be done and he showed up, honoring that work, come rain or come shine.
Observing him, I was reminded of Pablo Picasso's quote, one of my favourites, that said: “Inspiration exists but it has to find you working.”
With or without The Muse, Mahmoud would get to work. Like an employee. A worker. A true professional.
From Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5-6 pm, with spotless punctuality, and without fail, he´d be working in his dance studio in downtown Cairo. He choreographed, taught, filmed and edited; researched; wrote; and explored his craft as if he was a beginner."
