Joana Saahirah´s World Blog
A Collection of Articles, Videos, and Freebies on Egyptian Dance, Self-Discovery & Empowerment
What my (genius) Percussionist taught me
In more than 20 years of career, one that grew abnormally fast, I was privileged to work with the best musicians in the field of Egyptian Music and Dance and even luckier to call them "my teachers".
Unlike so many dancers I knew, especially in Cairo where it´s not uncommon at a certain level of career to "own" your own orchestra, I listened to my musicians as if they were mentors, family, friends, creation and soul partners.
Make no mistake: they listened to me, as...
You shouldn´t learn Egyptian Dance. Here´s why.
Because, if properly taught, Egyptian Dance disrupts your life.
Because it challenges you on levels you didn´t even know existed.
Because it´ll make you look in the mirror and say "I love you" with genuine feeling (and there´ll be consequences resulting from it).
Because it´ll open your mind, heart, body, and soul and we know how dangerous that can be.
Because it´ll show you the Path of Sacred Sensuality, a path that´ll make you a...
Wanna be Perfect or Happy?
We live in a world of illusions. One of the biggest and most harmful illusions of all is the concept of perfection.
Social Media sells the illusion of perfect homes, perfect bodies, perfect lives. We´re inundated by images of perfection and, even without wanting to, we compare our reality to the supposed reality we see.
We feel less than...not as great/happy/amazing/special as...
The mainstream field of Egyptian Dance sells the illusion of perfect movements, perfect dance, perfect dance...
The most important thing you can do for Yourself
The year is coming to an end. Can I hear an Amen?
As I prepare to close an old door - 2020 - and open a new one - hello, 2021! -, I focus on the things that´ll allow me to step up my game in dance, as in life. Here´s one of them.
This may be the most important thing you can do for yourself. Right now. Always.
Most of us are clueless about the power we hold within; we presume life happens to us and not through us. There are much powerlessness and...
How Saiidi Changed my Life
It feels like I´m walking alone for a long time.
The way I see Egyptian Dance is new, though based on ancient wisdom and history, and the way I practice it is out of the box, mostly misunderstood and eventually copied by others in my industry.
One of the things I´ve been doing - teaching, writing, and speaking about - for a long time, in perfect solitude, is to claim there´s a direct connection between Egyptian Dance and Life.
What I learn for Egyptian Dance, I...
How I remain grounded & positive (even through the storms)
It´s been a crazy ride - this year, this decade, this life.
Whoever knows me, even superficially, often comments on my unwavering positivity and strength.
- Even when you´re in deep s"#$%, you´re still going up and delivering inspiring work! The sadder you are, the more positive you seem to be.- A friend recently told me with a mix of admiration and criticism.
-You´re always on the move, accomplishing your dreams, no matter what. - People have...
The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool
Imagine a world where you rely on can yourself for guidance, strength, wisdom, and direction.
Imagine a world where you dream and accomplish those dreams, where you know, ´cause you know, the power to be the person you wish to become is within.
That world is my concept of SELF-EMPOWERMENT, one of the keys to my career and life.
Now, let´s get clear:
Self-Empowerment, like every other subject on the face of the earth, means different things for different people.
For me, the...
Why I went to Egypt - A Soul Journey by Joana Saahirah
For a long time, I didn´t think about my journey.
The slogan I use - from Portugal to Egypt; from Egypt to the World - synthesized the path I´d already built but, to be honest, I hadn´t had the time to reflect upon it. So far.
It all happened fast. Abnormally fast; a thunderbolt, a weird time-travel adventure I didn´t dare to question. My life before and after (re)discovering Egyptian Dance is unrecognizable. Two completely different realities.
...
Born this way (from lamb to lion)
I was once asked if I "was born this way" by a beautiful student who was participating in one of my workshops in Merano, Italy.
In fact, I was asked that question, in different disguises, on several occasions.
How did I get here - to this point of self-awareness and assurance, a place where I can be my full self, unapologetically, and claim the freedom of not bothering about what others think of me?
Self-Confidence may be a feature most will associate with me and I have, in fact,...
What I´m loving, this Summer (by Joana Saahirah)
Seasons have always been fluid in my life - I´ve spent Summers in rainy-frozen places and Christmases in sunny paradises; I´ve spent New Year´s Eve performing, worked through Easter, and rested when the world was running.
In more than one way, I´ve created my rhythm, my "parallel" reality, my highly personalized world.
This is why despite living by the beach and reminding myself we´re in August, I haven´t had time to bake in the sun; instead, I´ve...
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