Learn the Art of Oriental Belly Dance

I've always wanted to learn to dance, but you mostly need a partner and mine, well, he just doesn't feel the rythm. Belly dancing always look so sensual and I decided to try! My word was I intimidated when I saw the massive mirror and I had to face myself. In the beginning I reallly couldn't look at myself, don't like what I see. But the more I go the more I catch myself stealing a glimpse here and there.

I thought about what to say because there are so much to say… people sometimes ask me what my hobby is. I use to say 'belly dance'. Then I realised it is so much more than a mere 'hobby'. It is a life journey for me. Belly dance enriches me body and soul. I am part of an amazing sisterhood with Ioanna as teacher, mentor and friend. Together we sweat and laugh and panic and sometimes cry. Ioanna and my belly sisters... thank you for this incredible journey!

My dance journey started on the 15 may 2013. Every week I look forward to my Monday and Tuesday nights, because I know, I am going to Ioanna's class. As a teacher Ioanna is patient, kind, energetic and encouraging and she takes the time to really teach the technical aspects of belly dance. Ioanna's Belly Academy is my favorite place.all my worries roll of my back when I enter. Best studio to learn how to bellydance and the best teachers ever. Together we sweat and laugh and panic and sometimes cry. Ioanna and my belly sisters... thank you for this incredible journey!

William Arthur Ward said 'The mediocre teacher tells; the good teacher explains; the superior teacher demonstrates and the great teacher inspires’ . He must have had Ioanna in mind when writing this as she is the personification of a great teacher. She believes in you even when you don't and inspires you to find the rhythm in your hips and a passion for live. Ioanna's love of dance is contagious and I am so privileged to have her as my teacher. Ioanna's Belly Academy is my favorite place.all my worries roll of my back when I enter. Best studio to learn how to bellydance and the best teachers ever. Together we sweat and laugh and panic and sometimes cry. Ioanna and my belly sisters... thank you for this incredible journey!

I am passionate about dancing I call it the poetry of the body I come from Cuba where dancing is part of our lives so being here in South Africa I found a space and a great teacher where I can express myself but at the same time be able to learn a totally new dance for me, it is a challenge and inspiration. I have learned so much from her and from the ladies. In her class I am able to forget about all the worries and focus in the art of belly dance by looking at her and listening to her instructions. She is passionate about belly dance so it is a contagious feeling!!! Love it !!

Hi ladies, just wanted to share, since I’ve been doing these classes regularly I’ve noticed such nice improvements, my wrists always got really sore when I put weight on them in class, but that’s completely gone now. 😁 And my shoulder always seized up when I had to work on a computer, I was on some pretty strong painkillers for it, but I’ve had to take maybe one this entire lockdown, even though all my work is online now. Thank you so much ⁨The Belly Dance Academy⁩ !!