For me, dance is about creativity, culture, communication and connection.
It's a way to embody music.
I've always been a traveller and it's a way I explore and connect with people and places.
And in the case of Egypt, the dance brought me to love the country so much it is now my second home.
A word people always use is bellydance. But this is a term, coined by the west, which does no justice to the cultural backgrounds and variety of dances that are found in the Middle East and North Africa.
Baladi (which means in Arabic 'of my country'), is the social dance of Egypt. This is the foundation of my dance. I'm not drawn to the cabaret style of dance which I, like many, consider to be often over-sexualised and which to my mind doesn't represent the mindset and zeitgeist of many of us in the modern world.
Baladi dance has now also developed into a dance which is perfomed, but I always aim to be sensitive to the values of the true Baladi culture which has given me so much joy. In Mazazik Dance, respect to the origins of the dances we are exploring is paramount.
Saidi (Egyptian folk), Baladi, into Raqs Sharqi (translated meaning 'dance of the East'), the complexity of Classical Arabic dance, and modern interpretations of bellydance, are all styles I explore in my work.
And my style of Modern Bellydance (Arabic dance which has been influenced by different cultures and dance styles, and works the body in a more physically demanding way), is influenced by my love of travel and exploring different cultures, both urban and rural, and also my belief that our connection to the natural world is a vital source of creative inspiration and physical and mental balance and wellbeing, even spiritual connection.
It's a way to embody music.
I've always been a traveller and it's a way I explore and connect with people and places.
And in the case of Egypt, the dance brought me to love the country so much it is now my second home.
A word people always use is bellydance. But this is a term, coined by the west, which does no justice to the cultural backgrounds and variety of dances that are found in the Middle East and North Africa.
Baladi (which means in Arabic 'of my country'), is the social dance of Egypt. This is the foundation of my dance. I'm not drawn to the cabaret style of dance which I, like many, consider to be often over-sexualised and which to my mind doesn't represent the mindset and zeitgeist of many of us in the modern world.
Baladi dance has now also developed into a dance which is perfomed, but I always aim to be sensitive to the values of the true Baladi culture which has given me so much joy. In Mazazik Dance, respect to the origins of the dances we are exploring is paramount.
Saidi (Egyptian folk), Baladi, into Raqs Sharqi (translated meaning 'dance of the East'), the complexity of Classical Arabic dance, and modern interpretations of bellydance, are all styles I explore in my work.
And my style of Modern Bellydance (Arabic dance which has been influenced by different cultures and dance styles, and works the body in a more physically demanding way), is influenced by my love of travel and exploring different cultures, both urban and rural, and also my belief that our connection to the natural world is a vital source of creative inspiration and physical and mental balance and wellbeing, even spiritual connection.
MAZAZIK
Egyptian & bellydance done differently
I established Mazazik Dance in 2002 in Manchester with the aim of teaching and showing the dance in the North of England.
Since then I have taught widely across the UK, Europe, the Far East and, of course, Egypt.
And this widespread teaching has gradually built a wonderful community of people who enjoy the dance and now, with the development of technology, keep in touch via online projects and social gatherings.
I no longer offer live weekly classes, but there are regular online sessions, plus regular workshops outside the winter months in Manchester, Leeds, York and Pennine Yorkshire (Slaithwaite) with occasional visits to other areas. Over the last few years I've visited Cheshire, Hull, London, the Scottish Highlands and Ireland.
If you would like details please join the mailing list or email [email protected].
Since then I have taught widely across the UK, Europe, the Far East and, of course, Egypt.
And this widespread teaching has gradually built a wonderful community of people who enjoy the dance and now, with the development of technology, keep in touch via online projects and social gatherings.
I no longer offer live weekly classes, but there are regular online sessions, plus regular workshops outside the winter months in Manchester, Leeds, York and Pennine Yorkshire (Slaithwaite) with occasional visits to other areas. Over the last few years I've visited Cheshire, Hull, London, the Scottish Highlands and Ireland.
If you would like details please join the mailing list or email [email protected].
'The best workshop in my life ever was with you at camp doing baladi - still get the warm glows thinking of the magical time we all had'
' Without your fantastic teaching methods, encouragement and vision(s), I would not be the dancer I am'
' Thank you so much for the Egypt experience. It was life changing'
