Belly Dancing

Joy Sola, also known as Rayah…

…fell in love with Belly Dance at age 13, thanks to recording  artist Shakira. Now 22,  Joy is still just as in love with this beautiful art form. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and energy with other people who feel  pulled to explore the emotion-filled universe that is belly dance. Joy has travelled around the world and taken classes from teachers as she went along. Several of these teachers include; Suzanne Kearn, Mahalia, Rachel Brice, and the lovely ladies of Fat Chance Belly Dance. Rayah has been performing for three years and teaching for two. You can expect a class with Rayah to be energizing, fun, and liberating.  Classes are structured around the idea that everyone is here to dance, so let’s dance! Always praising, and correcting posture in a friendly way, classes are an amazing way to gain confidence, learn to move your body in new ways and connect with wonderful people.

About Belly Dance

While the official origination of Belly Dance cannot be traced back to one single place, the migration of the Romani, or Gypsies(slang) originated in India, and carried belly dance west across Asia into Africa and Europe.  Raqs Sharqi, translates into English from Arabic as Oriental Dance. This type is most popularly known to westerners and there is also Raqs Beledi, which translates to ‘Dance of Country,’ or ‘Folk Dance.’  There are many facets and forms to what Americans today know as Belly Dance. Some types of dance include: Egyptian, Turkish, Romani, American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion.  America first experienced Belly Dance at the 1893 World’s Fair, where ‘Little Egypt,’ performed.

Many  movements in Belly Dance are beneficial for helping  women have safe and easy births. Many cultures who have Belly  Dance embedded in their cultures say that Belly Dance was created for helping  women succeed at graceful life transitions, such as pregnancy and delivery.

Belly Dance classes at West Side Yoga Studio