New Blog and how to find me (at all times)

New life, new me, the usual growth and magic*:
1. My new BLOG "Joana Saahirah (Magical) World" is up and running". Go to this link and follow the girl (she won´t disappoint you): http://joanasaahirahworld.wordpress.com/ 

2. My USA TOUR is almost arriving (New York, Boston, Alaska, Chicago...). For further infos, email me: dancemagica@gmail.com

3. Another book - nothing less than a Trilogy, three volumes about my Great Egyptian Adventure (auto-biography that looks like fiction and that* says it all or almost...)to be published very soon - it´s all on the publishers´hands right now.

4. Russia and Greece (Festivals with shows, workshops and competitions) right after USA*

5. My PRIVATE ON LINE CLASSES are growing in quality (I´ve limited the number of students accepted in order to be able to breathe and keep all my work agenda neat and on a professional level). So in love with this new bridge/way of teaching* For more infos, email me (dancemagica@gmail.com)

6. Promoting and receiving the feed-back of readers from all over the world regarding my first published book "The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond". This book was written with my soul at the tip of my fingers and it´s an honour to see so many people feel it and get wisdom and inspiration from it. To keep yourself updated about contests, goodies and news about the book, go to and LIKE its Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/thesecretsofegyptbook

7. BIG news and changes you will know, at the right time, through my new blog and Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joana-Saahirah-of-Cairo-Fan-Page/183318258358726

8. Feel welcome to join, follow and share my videos on my YOUTUBE CHANNEL (performances in Egypt and around the world, workshops, choreographies, interviews, surprises*): https://plus.google.com/102522309186948849839/posts

See you all somewhere over the rainbow*********************

Don´t forget to be yourself and respect your own soul and joy - once you love and respect yourself, you´ll do the same with other people.
Love, dance, kiss your fears on the face and move on - life´s only NOW*

Preparing for USA TOUR; NEW BLOG & (still) secret adventures: JOANA SAAHIRAH IN THE WORLD*********************

USA, here I come (September/October): me and my beloved book
"The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond".

Plus: "Bint il balad" workshop in Lisbon (20th September), a happy return to Russia (November); a first time visit to Greece (December) and other (still secret) amazing events on the way.

Keep yourself updated via Facebook (Joana Saahirah of Cairo Fan Page) as well as through my NEW BLOG "Joana Saahirah (Magical) World":
http://joanasaahirahworld.wordpress.com/

Much LOVE and PEACE for all of us (see you somewhere around the world)

Transformation (letting this blog die and creating a new one)

Me, in a wig; photographed in Egypt by Melad.

 I am a strong believer in the opposite of stagnation: CHANGE it is.

First (out of the blue) question on the table: Is there life after Oxford?!  I spent only three weeks studying in that blessed place ( don´t even dare to repeat the name in fear of casting yet another spell on me) and was caught by its fishing net: a baby fish caught by a whale. The girl can leave Oxford but Oxford doesn´t leave the girl.
Blessed and traumatized by the Writing Course I took at one of the oldest and most fabulous universities in the world and longing for those bridges, doors, green horizons, skies and magical oxygen.

"Real" life (if that exists!) calls me so...trying to land (somehow...).

September will be a DECISIVE month populated with changes, deaths and new births:

1. Preparating for my first USA TOUR and first city (New York) happening;

2. Writing a few stories inspired by Oxford and its characters (yes, I know I´m a freak of nature);

3. Editing volumes II and III of my upcoming book and taking care of the Ist volume publishing. A LOT on my hands!

4. Teaching my PRIVATE LESSONS ON LINE with a selected, amazing group of students who are making me fall in love with this new sharing tool. Then again: change, creativity and expansion are in the order of the day;

5. Saying farewell to this blog (as well as to my Portuguese blog: www.joanamagica.blogspot.com ) and launching a NEW BLOG that reflects who I am today (artist, author, teacher, world traveller, lover and more).

I hope you all join me in this brand new Journey* - higher, more loving, wider, shinier and happier than the previous one. Grateful for the past, the present and the future that unfolds from the warmest spot of my soul. Welcome to join the Party!

Out of the shelf: FREEDOM, ladies & gentlemen!

Image courtesy: Fiora OrientalFusion

 I´m aware of many things about myself - this is the price I pay for focusing on my life and knowing who I am at every second of this blessed life.

 One thing is certain: I´ve always been out of the box. People never knew - no matter where I was - where to locate me: their shelves don´t fit me or I don´t fit their shelves. My words, actions, character were rarely understood (exception made to the moments spent on stage: those were the only moments when I was truly seen and understood).

 Yes: I´m a marginal; an outsider who doesn´t follow fashions, sheeps, crowds, easy paths and "friendly connections that usually compensate for the lack of talent". I´m "heavy duty", as someone once called me.

 On the Road of Life - my Life: an incredible Adventure! - I´ve learnt that most people don´t live: they  survive. The fear of AUTHENTICITY and FREEDOM is enormous and most of us can´t manage to conquer it. It´s rare to see a person who dares to risk, change and grow on a daily basis; someone who´s not afraid of BEING his/her full self, of changing, exploring the talents, dreams, wishes, passions God has given him/her.

 Growing is also accepting other people´s limitations (as well as my own). Don´t push them - pushing yourself is hard enough. Don´t judge them - working on yourself and your fragilities is hard enough. Don´t demand from others - demanding of yourself is hard enough. Don´t presume everyone is born with the same mind, heart, sensibility, way of looking at life, ambitions and weird treats. The world is bigger than our minds can perceive and the variety of creatures who live in it too astonishing for our comprehension.

 I caress the jails I see around me because I know I have my own. In one way or another, we build our own barriers (they are probably what keep us grounded). I´ve learnt to smile at the perspective of being the BLOND ALIEN in the room and I´ve forgiven the ones who judge me without even knowing me. We´re all just human and we´re all just learning (some more than others).



Image courtesy: Katya Faris

 If Oriental Dance has taught me something (and it has taught me SO MUCH!), this is it: authenticity rocks!: being my REAL self and following my bliss (as Joseph Campbell famously said) is The Way: not wasting time or energy with fears or ghosts is the wisest thing I can do: love and fight, when I need to, but keep walking with gratitude and an open heart.

 In a world where we´re pushed to join the crowds, I say: BE YOURSELF, for Life´s sake! Question the rules: dare to think and feel for yourself: put that brain and that heart to good use.

 When we´re older and close to (physical) death, it´ll be so nice to look back without regrets or "what if"; so peaceful to see we´ve been and done everything our heart asked for.

I´ve said it, taught it and done it since forever: you cannot grow in Oriental Dance if you don´t grow as a human being and growth, ladies and gentlemen, is all about FREEDOM and the courage to pay the price for it.

Be brave: be yourself: be aLIVE. 

Image courtesy: Life*

"The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" heading to USA with me*



It´s with excitement and honour that I start to prepare my upcoming
USA TOUR (New York, Boston, Alaska and Chicago...). Workshops, shows, lectures and a well deserved focus on my first published book "The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" will be on the order of the day.

The true magic of this eternal dance will be invading Uncle Sam´s land and changing lives: proud to be the bridge of a sacred, loving, creative mission that has brought me so much joy.

For more informations about the TOUR or for BOOK ORDERS (receive your own autographed copy), please email me: dancemagica@gmail.com

Image courtesy: Ksenija (from Slovenia)

Some pieces of text from my book "The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" - courtesy of Xofi Oak.

Me - the author - and the fist baby (with another one on the way). Immensely proud and grateful for the wonder*ful job done so far. This is what happens when we live with passion, integrity and courage (the prizes are endless and untouchable by common mediocrity). Thanks, God; thanks, Life!



Image courtesy: Maria Claudia Gonzalez (another happy reader).

 

Oxford Magic*********************

 

I am speechless. Literally. Yes, I know I´ve said it before and still managed to write an whole text on a subject but this is IT: utter silence: letting it all in.

 

Instead of telling about how Oxford (or studying in the old, magnificent, magical college of Corpus Christi) changed me, I´ll leave you a few images of the trip and let actions speak for my (now silent) words.

 

Magic (love) is in the air.

“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

 

This took my breath away (Joana Saahirah´s view on TARAB)

First: my heart´s still shaking.
Second: I have to thank my dear and talented Khaled Roshdy for the marvellous editing of this vídeo - no one could have made it better. He understand me and my vision* and he lends me his art with so much generosity, appreciation and love...my God...I´m speechless.

Here´s a vídeo that illustrates what Oriental Dance core is all about; Tarab is the heart of the whole Journey, although very few understand it.

All my work has been based on this vídeo and it´s with great pleasure I will explore it on my LONDON SUMMER WORKSHOP (2nd August).

It´s an honour to delve into this Magic and offer this possibility to other dancers.

Honoured, humbled and grateful for my mission*


For more infos about JOANA SAAHIRAH´S LONDON SUMMER TARAB WORKSHOP, follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/277598389090706/?fref=ts

The fear of (our own) Greatness*



Frida=love*



Greatness scares most people - other people´s Greatness & above all, their own potencial for Greatness.

They´re not freaked out about the possibility of failure as much as they´re terrified about the possibility of success. Therefore, th...ey envy other people´s gardens; they wish to cut the wings of anyone who dares to fly; they hate the ones who mirror their "what if´s".

The thing is reaching out for your own Greatness - and we´re no clones so everyone has his/her own UNIQUE* path - is scary. I agree. Failure brings compassion from others (everybody loves a good old victim - "misery loves company" kind of thing); success and joy bring responsibility, sacrífices and serious, continuous work and risks. Plus: continuous success and joy will not Grant you a lot of friends (in fact, it grants you an whole lot of dear enemies).

Cry on people´s shoulders 24 hours per day, bad mouth others´achievements and sit on the couch eating a tuna sandwish - that will do for most of us (sad, sad, sad).

One of the blessings of my work (through performing, dancing, choreographing, teaching or writing) is the possibility of waking up people from this collective mediocrity nap. Go; do YOUR work; try; try again; fail, fall, rise once more: BE ALIVE, for God´s sake! When you´re busy following your dreams, you have no time or energy for fear and hate. Choose LIFE - it´s exhausting but it´s worth it.

Moi memme, performing in Samara (Russia).

Joana Saahirah of Cairo in USA - starting with New York (by Morocco!)

What a joy*! My USA TOUR starts with NEW YORK (sponsored by the Incredible Oriental Dance Master - and I mean REAL Master - Morocco (aka Aunt Rocky). Then Boston, Alaska, Chicago and more for the Road. Thrilled & honoured to bring the "Secrets of Egypt" to Uncle Sam´s land.

 

Workshops, shows, lectures and "The Secrets of Egypt" book launchings with amazing people sharing the same goal and passion: to empower women through this magical dance.

 

 

Here´s NEW YORK program!

You simply can't miss *this* seminar - a total of 12 hours (4 three-hour classes) of great learning, dancing, sharing your dance souls with a truly exceptional young woman & dance artist + a concert!:

JOANA SAAHIRAH, who spent 9 years performing daily (often 5-6 hour-long shows a day!) & to great acclaim in Cairo. She was also assistant to the great Mahmoud Reda....

 

Don't miss this AMAZING opportunity! DON'T DELAY!!!

Dance your heart out & learn at a great seminar. Morocco presents the fabulous

 

JOANA SAAHIRAH of CAIRO

IN HER VERY FIRST US/ NYC

TWO-DAY SEMINAR

 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

10:30am-1:30pm &2:30-5:30pm 

10:30-1:30 - The Soul of Modern Oriental style:

Technique & Combinations - breaking down movements & revealing secrets of the streamlined look of today's stars.

2:30-5:30 - Hearing, understanding & dancing to Om Kolsum:

how to ace the true "test" of  an Oriental dance artist.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

11:00am -2:00pm &3:00-6:00pm

11:00-2:00 - Saidi technique & combinations

3:00-6:00 - Milaya Leff & Baladi - flirtatious fun & technique:

how to achieve it easily & smoothly

(1 hr break - pizza & Persian food downstairs or bring lunch)

12 hours of class by an amazing artist with a highly successful 9-

year career in Cairo (& her emotional book about how she did it:

"The Secrets of Egypt: Dance, Life & Beyond" will be available

for purchase at the seminars!)

$90 @ 1 class/ $100 at door (if available);

2 classes: $165 / $180 at door (if available);

3 classes:  $245 / $270 at door (if available);

all 4 classes: $310 / $340 at door (if available) 

***add 3.5% to pay by PayPal

EARLY BIRD - register & pay before July 30

& take over 10% off!!!

$80 @ 1 class;

2 classes: $145;

3 classes:  $220;

all 4 classes: $290!!!

***add 3.5% to pay by PayPal

Classes will be at CAP21 studios

18 West 18th Street

(between 5th & 6th Avenues)

6th floor - Studio 603

Convenient to all subways (14th Street stop, 16th St. exit):

4, 5, 6, Q, N, R, L, F, 2, 3, 1 (18th Street stop), A, C, E

Saturday eve show (The Shop at CAP21)

$20 in advance/ $25 at door

(Limited dance slots in the show open to those taking the seminar. Preference given to those taking both days.)

DO NOT MISS THIS ONCE -IN-A-LIFETIME CHANCE!!! Register NOW! You'll be glad you did!

Out-of-towners: cheap, safe, nearby hotel list on request.

e-mail: morocco@casbahdance.org to reserve your spot, then either make out a check to *MOROCCO*

& mail it to: MOROCCO

1110 Ocean Ave - fl 2

Private House

Brooklyn, NY 11230

OR pay by PayPal to morocco@casbahdance.org 

Your spot is certain ONLY when payment is received.

The Soul of Oriental Dance

Joana Saahirah, Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer of Egyptian Oriental and Folkloric Dances, Actress and Author

After almost a decade of performing in Egypt with her own orchestra - Joana Saahirah has created a style of teaching, choreographing and performing that combines the best of Egypt and the best of  the West: technique, expression and Art.

She has also studied and worked (as a choreography and teaching assistant) to Master Mahmoud Reda from whom she learned his Theater Folklore styles.

Joana's dream & mission is to share the soul of Oriental Dance and Egyptian Folklore with the world, revealing the true richness and ancient knowledge hidden in this art form. She has been invited to teach and perform all over the world & this will be her first time teaching in New York & the US.

Joana has written several articles for newspapers and magazines (about Egyptian culture, music & dance) & 2 books about The Magic of Egyptian Oriental Dance and her Paths of Discovery in the Land of the Pyramids. One of these books - "The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" has been published this January. Another one - "Diary of Egypt" trilogy-  will be published this Summer.

 

For a glimpse of Joana´s Dance please check the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__cpkzelRFE                     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNC9b_fxCBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05iUzPcfl7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fw3uf-flng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIg3Nb7gHqo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_S1P3PhQMg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Uc3ASiWmM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5NO7Xv_tmk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlA6yAlrsYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep-7X0LbbIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgDc6E6AKEk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7esQnch5s2k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA6MKmQmUlg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCVm8jsAvY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3KC90IpaPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SQWLodiGUY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB4ix0pRC8g

You can find Joana Saahirah of Cairo on her official  Facebook Fan Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joana-Saahirah-of-Cairo-Fan-Page/183318258358726?ref_type=bookmark

 

As well as her first book - "The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" - oficial page: https://www.facebook.com/thesecretsofegyptbook?ref_type=bookmark

Space is limited, so register early. I *so* hope to see you there.

Yours in total dance dementia,

Morocco

e-mail: morocco@casbahdance.org;

THE book: http://www.casbahdance.org/shop

web: http://www.casbahdance.org

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voqHFey-RJM

New York, NY

Joana Saahirah of Cairo NEW ON LINE CLASSES (finding the best version of yourself through dance)

"Oriental Dance changed my life - I hope it can change yours too."

 

JoanaSaahirah of Cairo

Joana Saahirah of Cairo is one of the most respected and well known oriental dancers and teachers in the world.
She´s also the author of the book which is inspiring dancers all over the world:
 
"The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond"


After almost a decade of life and career in Egypt - where she performed with her own orchestra at the country´s best venues -, Joana has been travelling the world to teach, perform and lecture about the treasures of Egyptian Oriental & Folkloric Dances.

Her dance style and teaching method are unique in their contents, purposes and effects. For Joana, Oriental Dance is not just "an exotic dance used for fitness" but an ART, a HEALING tool and a CREATIVE bridge to achieve the best version of ourselves.

 Joana Saahirah has created a series of PRACTICAL and THEORICAL ON LINE CLASSES

(private classes) that fit each student/dancer´s level, needs and goals. Her private lessons are a combination of a settled dance program (that unites the best of East and West), a creative journey of self-discovery and contents that have in consideration the strongest points of each dancer as well as the points where she/he may need to improve.

Difficulty level will be increased according to the classes´rhythm and the student´s plan.

Technique, choreography & cultural context are provided and a varied array of styles is available to the student:

Classical and modern oriental dance;
Baladi extravaganza;
Shaabi crazy mix;
Percussion madness - the art of freedom;
Om Kolthoum special; Abdel Halim Hafez special; Mohamed Abdel Wahab special;
Ghawazy with sagats;

Folklore:
Saiidi - from tahtib to modernity;
Nubian;
Eskandaranie with mellaya;
Bedouin.

The styles will be chosen according to the student´s interest as well as her/his technical level.

****

Body,mind,heart and soul: those are the dimensions of Joana Saahirah´s work (in teaching, performing, choreographing & writing).
Oriental Dance by Joana Saahirah - a truly holistic path towards the BEST VERSION of YOURSELF

*

***More informations via email: dancemagica@gmail.com

***Joana Saahirah - from Egypt to the World
www.joanabellydance.blogspot.com
www.joanamagica.blogspot.com

***"The Secrets of Egypt - Dance, Life & Beyond" book fan page: https://www.facebook.com/thesecretsofegyptbook?ref_type=bookmark

*** Joana Saahirah of Cairo Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joana-Saahirah-of-Cairo-Fan-Page/183318258358726?ref_type=bookmark

 

 

Story of my Life :)

Oh, yeah, baby!*********************
Image courtesy: Elizabetha de Lacanne

 

Don´t ask me to shut up; to hide behind the cloak of shame or false humiltiy; to pretend I have no brain, no heart, no life (I AM LIFE, you see: more than alive: I AM LIFE).

I speak up; I sing out loud; I occupy, caress and OWN the floor I step in. No fear can catch me by the feet (defeat). I am above the ground and inside the ground: in and out.

Use all that you´ve got, girl! Each one of us is a little ray of light (sun & moon) - not using that light is choosing a precocious death.
BE ALIVE - Be Life* (you already are).

*

Titles and cathalogs: never been a fan of those.
I am whatever my heart and soul dictate at each second of this blessed life - beyond all shelves & definitions. Notice: defining is a way of killing (a person, a subject, an universe).
Freedom is my surname and BEING (faithful to myself) is my art*

 

Joana Saahirah of Cairo in Chicago (USA) this October: FULL PROGRAM!

 

One more city on my upcoming USA TOUR (proud & excited): Chicago!

Organization by Erika Ochoa.

Workshops, show, lecture, "The Secrets of Egypt" book launching: LOVE IT ALL.

Follow the link to access the event´s program (SUBSCRIPTIONS are OPENED):

http://pineappledance.org/pineappledance.org/Joana_Saahira_Chicago.html