08/17/2026
Remember: A great dance teacher doesn’t just teach you steps. They give you pieces of their knowledge, passion, and heart that stay with you long after the class is over. ❤️
Last night, I started thinking about all the belly dance instructors I’ve had over the years—from my very first teacher to the incredible dancers I’ve had the opportunity to take workshops with.
And I realized something: they are a huge part of the reason my passion for belly dance grew into what it became. Every teacher gave me something different. A piece of their knowledge. A different way of hearing the music. A new way of moving. Confidence. Inspiration. And, most importantly, a deeper love for this dance.
After being away from dancing for almost five years while taking care of my mom, finding my way back has been much harder than I ever imagined. There have been moments when I’ve wanted to quit completely—even to the point of thinking about closing up my shop at the end of this year.
After my last post and the kindness people showed me, those thoughts have started to waver.
And now I’m holding onto a little bit of hope.
This October, I’m finally getting the opportunity to take a class with Amir Thaleb, someone I have wanted to learn from since 2009.
Seventeen years of wanting to take that class.
Maybe it will simply be a wonderful class. Or maybe it will be something more.
I’m hoping and praying that somewhere in that music, movement, and learning, I find that little spark that used to burn so brightly inside me.
Maybe the fire isn’t gone. Maybe it just needs to be reignited. ❤️🔥
And maybe, once again, a dance teacher will give me something that stays with me long after the class is over
