Every year, extraordinary women from around the globe embark on a transformative journey to connect with their inner essence and become certified ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™ Teachers. This empowering experience is more than just a certification — it’s a celebration of femininity, strength, and self-expression.
In this series, we shine a light on the inspiring women who carry the magic of Essence of Bellydance into their communities. Through their stories, you’ll discover how it has transformed their lives, and the impact they are making in the world.
“Belly dance has changed my life in indescribable ways, and I feel compelled to share the experience. ”
Can you share a bit about your background?
Greetings! I live in sunny Tampa, Florida, which is the southernmost state on the east coast of America. I have a Bachelor's Degree in both Business Management, and Accounting, as well as a Master’s Degree in Accounting. I have worked as an accountant for over forty years, and I am looking forward to retirement in the near future. I have also volunteered extensively in my local community for two decades.
How did you come in touch with Bellydance, and what does it give you?
I was out jogging one day, and I saw a sign at a local recreation center advertising a belly dance class that was starting soon. I had a paralyzing degree of shyness that was adversely affecting my personal and professional life, which I deeply wanted to overcome. I thought to myself, “Perhaps belly dance classes might help me to conquer my shyness”. I showed up for the first class, terrified, trying my best to hide in the back corner of the room, away from the eyes of the instructor and every other student in the room.
It is now fifteen years later, and I can not imagine my life without belly dance!
How did you decide to make dance your career?
I never wanted to be a belly dance instructor. Me? An instructor? Ha! I’m an accountant! And I was DEFINITELY the slowest learner in the class! I had to practice soooo much more than anyone else for our performances. Dedication was my middle name.
“I can not imagine my life without belly dance!”
“I realized how much being with my belly dance sisters every week meant to me. It was absolutely vital in my life! ”
It was through this experience that I learned the most important aspect of belly dance: the community. The majority of the people who took the time out of their lives to care for me were my belly dance sisters. I was not in a relationship, and I had no family. My friends were my only lifeline. And I found out who my true friends were. Most of them shimmy.
I am delighted to share with you that I was up on a stage, and performed a live belly dance on November 4, 2016. Exactly six months to the day from the day of the accident.
The medical professionals managed the mending of my physical body, but a crisis of this level carries emotional damage as well. To aid in my mental healing, I wrote a book called, It’s All About Your Belly, where I share my thoughts, feelings and experiences in the months following the accident.
I went on to do a six-stop nationwide tour of television appearances. I had the joy of sharing my passion for belly dance in full belly dance costume on TV! I put a hip scarf on each of my TV hosts, and gave them a live, on-camera mini belly dance class, much to the delight of their audience. A short video of each of the TV appearances is available with a search of my name on YouTube.
Tragically, one day, our instructor retired.
Everyone hoped that I would take over the class, since I had prior fitness certifications, but I did NOT feel qualified to teach. At all! I refused.
The class fell apart.
I then realized how much being with my belly dance sisters every week meant to me. It was absolutely vital in my life! So, reluctantly, begrudgingly, I agreed to “lead” the class to bring us all back together again.
Best decision I’ve ever been forced into.
What were the important milestones/turning points in your career?
A milestone in my dancing career occurred on May 4th, 2016. I was driving an automobile and another vehicle hit the driver’s door straight on. I incurred three broken ribs, a cardiac contusion, two broken ankle bones, and seven fractures to my pelvis. After a couple of weeks of hospitalization, they gave me a wheelchair and sent me home. I asked how long it would be before I could dance again. No one had the heart to tell me that they did not know if I would ever even WALK again.
Physically shattered, I was completely dependent. I could not drive my car, and I live upstairs in a building with no elevator. And 2016 was before any kind of grocery or restaurant delivery service.
“I learned the most important aspect of belly dance: the community...My friends were my only lifeline. And I found out who my true friends were. Most of them shimmy.”
Janet went on a nationwide tour of television appearances to share her story and passion for bellydance. Here she is featured on ABC-TV in Tucson, Arizona.
Why should someone take a belly dance class, as opposed to one of the many other types of fitness and dance classes that are available?
This is a critical question, because we all have a limited amount of time, money, and energy each week. I have five fitness certifications: Spinning, Zumba, Hoop Dance Fitness, Belly Dance Fitness, and Essence of Bellydance. Plus, I have taken every class that is offered at the gym. Yet, I suggest belly dance classes above all others for many reasons.
First, belly dance is an ancient art. It was developed BY women, FOR women. Today we live in an age when women are competing, and thriving, in formerly male oriented environments. We are taught to be tough, competitive, and intellectual. So, except in a belly dance class, when are we taught to be sensual or feminine?
Second, the costumes. Please, don’t get me wrong. I love the outfits associated with other fitness regimes like yoga or cycling. But would anyone say that the bright, neon colors of Zumba ever made them feel like a Goddess? The silk veils and sparkling jewels on my belly dance costumes transform my self-image like nothing else.
Third, portability. Wherever I go, belly dance goes with me. I may be the star of a spinning class, but that will do me no benefit whatsoever at a friend’s wedding or a high school reunion.
Fourth, allure. Let’s say the fellow in my life had a rough day at the office. To take his mind off of work, which do you think he would rather see, the latest kickbox moves I’ve learned, or a sensuous belly dance routine?
Fifth, the power of performance. Most people are “watchers”, sitting and watching TV, watching movies, watching sports, etc. The actors, announcers, and athletes of the world capture attention. When people see you as the focus of interest “on stage” it changes their opinion of you. More importantly, it changes your opinion of yourself!
Sixth, stagnation prevention. Earlier today, I listened to Tony Robbins speaking to 1.1 million people in a live seminar. He explained how, in relationships, we start off, “marketing ourselves” by putting so much energy into the relationship which creates amazing energy and excitement. But over time, most people stop the “marketing” and things get dull and routine. Energy wanes. And I thought, “That doesn’t happen to the relationships of anyone in my class!” There’s always a performance somewhere on the horizon. There’s always new costumes being ordered, fabulous new music, new makeup techniques, new venues, new choreographies and new themes! And the most important relationship we have is the one with ourselves!
“ESSENCE gave me the confidence I craved. It gave me a method to clearly, logically and visually explain the mechanics of each belly dance movement within the body. ”
You have been an ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE Online member since our beginnings in 2016. Then you joined the Teacher Training in 2024, did you have doubts if it’s the right thing to do?
Yes, I thoroughly doubted my decision to take the Teacher Training class. My number one concern was the commitment of the time involved. When I make a commitment, I really try to do the absolute best I possibly can. It drives me crazy to do something poorly. My number two concern was money. Unless I change the amount I charge, and/or how often I teach and/or switch to a facility where I can fit more students in the room, and/or teach until I am 200 years old, I would never recover the cost of the ESSENCE program! So, at the point I made the decision, it was not strictly a business investment. It was an investment in my personal growth. And it was a way for me to give. To share. Belly dance has changed my life in indescribable ways, and I feel compelled to do my best to share the experience. There are other ways I could have spent that money. For example, taking a vacation. But no vacation would bring me the feeling of reward, or meaning in my life, as sharing the treasure of this ancient art form.
How did the training change you?
ESSENCE gave me the confidence I craved. It gave me a method to clearly, logically and visually explain the mechanics of each belly dance movement within the body. Most classes offer only demonstrations and words to describe desired movement. I am now able to share an understanding of the precise dynamics of the parts of the skeleton in relation to each other, which feels tremendously liberating and empowering!
What was the best moment in your dance life so far?
There have been SO many “best” moments in my dance life. Probably the first one was at an event when one of my students, (who had never had a single prior dance class in her life), and I performed a choreography created by my original instructor, Angela. I was so nervous because Angela was sitting in the front row, and this was the first time she had to see how well (or not) I was able to teach a student. Angela does not give out compliments easily… if she says something, she means it. After the performance, she said that if we had performed at a hafla, we would have been one of the best!
Is there something you regret?
Absolutely. While our original instructor was still teaching our troupe, we had the honor of being one of the opening acts for the international belly dance troupe, Belly Dance Superstars! I was one of the two students selected to be in the front line with Angela, and I was so nervous I was almost paralyzed with the fear of making a mistake and disappointing Angela and our group. My execution was extremely weak, but I did not make any actual mistakes. After the performance, a member of Belly Dance Superstars asked if Angela and I would do an interview for their website, sharing what belly dance means to us. I was so mentally and emotionally exhausted after the performance that I could not think straight. I actually declined the offer, and did not do the interview! I missed a once in a lifetime opportunity. Obviously, I am determined never to pass up the chance to share how belly dance has enriched my life again!
“Belly dance has changed my life in indescribable ways, and I feel compelled to do my best to share the experience. ”
How does a day in your life look like?
The majority of a typical day is spent as an accountant, with time after work doing volunteer work as the Treasurer for my Condominium Owners Association.
What are 3 books that shaped your life?
A Course in Miracles
Please Understand Me
The Five Love Languages
What is your vision for the future?
I hope to retire from my accounting job in the near future, and am very actively deciding on who I want to be, where I want to live, and what I want to do in my next chapter of life. I feel that the future of belly dance has never been brighter! As increasing numbers of women in my age bracket retire, they will have time and money available, and will be searching for avenues to spend both. I can’t imagine a better return on investment for their physical wellbeing, mental health or personal growth than our beloved bellydance!
Thank you, Janet! You are an inspiration!
Do you love to dance and want to inspire other women? Then join our international community of excellent dance teachers and start teaching your own ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™ classes.
You can do it!
ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE
Reclaim your body, your power, and your life.
