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.
“The dance becomes much more beautiful when you learn to move from the inside out. ”
Can you share a bit about your background?After graduating from high school, I studied fashion design and management in Hamburg and then realized my dream of owning my own boutique. A few years later, I became a mother and what followed was a very fulfilling time without professional commitment — I dedicated my time to my children and my private life. When my daughters were older, I reoriented myself and rediscovered my passion for jewelry design and dancing. Both still accompany me today.
How did you come in touch with Bellydance, and what does it give you?
Oriental dance fascinated me as a young girl. Back when I went to Persian events with my parents, the belly dancer performance was always the highlight of the evening and I couldn't wait. This pure femininity, this sexiness combined with this self-confidence and body control.
I knew I wanted to be able to dance like that someday. But it wasn't until many years later, when I was already in college, that I took belly dancing lessons for the first time.
How did you decide to make dancing your career?
Dancing has always been one of the things I enjoyed doing. When I was a teenager, I completed all the dance courses at our dance school and tried out different dance styles, but it was never my plan to make it a profession. It wasn't until I discovered middle eastern dance with all its facets much later in my life that I realized that this dance had so much more in store for us women, and I definitely wanted to share that. So I made it my goal to become a teacher myself.
“This pure femininity, this sexiness combined with this self-confidence and body control. I knew I wanted to be able to dance like that someday. ”
“Dance classes have always been pure happiness for me, and that’s why I understand so well when the women who come to my classes today give me exactly the same feedback.”
How did you start, and what were the important milestones/turning points in your career?
I remembered my inner desire to learn belly dancing and started looking for a suitable class. I was lucky that a class was offered near me at the time, and so I started to focus intensively on dance. Dance classes have always been pure happiness for me, and that's why I understand so well when the women who come to my classes today give me exactly the same feedback.
The opportunity for me to teach came when my teacher had to stop for personal reasons and asked me if I would like to take over the class. I wanted to do it so much, but I didn't feel ready yet. I knew that if I really wanted to teach other women this dance, I needed a good foundation and basic knowledge. That was what I was still missing, and so I didn’t continue the class at the time. Me and the other women really regretted that. Luckily, after a break, I found a weekly class again, and again after two years, I was offered the opportunity to lead the class myself. So this mission summoned me once again. It was meant to be.
I really wanted to train as a teacher and luckily found the teacher training course from Essence of Bellydance by Coco Berlin. That was my turning point. In Coco's training, I was able to learn a lot of things that I was missing in order to give excellent classes. I now have several well-running classes, give workshops and keep growing with my journey. I am very grateful for that.
Do you have another passion besides bellydancing?
I combine my passions. It feels like coming full circle. Dancing and jewelry design are both expressions of my personality and creativity. I don't separate them — women can dance with me, or wear my jewelry, or both. Many women who love belly dancing also have a taste for beautiful accessories.
I love seeing women develop their femininity and do something good for themselves. Whether it’s through dancing or a beautiful piece of jewelry, that’s self-love. Inspiring you to embrace it is my greatest joy.
“I love seeing women develop their femininity and do something good for themselves. ”
You joined the ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™ Teacher Training in 2021, did you have doubts if it’s the right thing to do?
The Essence of Bellydance teacher training immediately convinced and inspired me. Coco’s holistic approach and charisma left me with no doubt that this training was perfect for me.
It is very clearly structured, didactically comprehensible and gave me perfect guidelines. It forms the basis for my teaching and, looking back, it was the best decision. I'm thrilled to be a part of this community.
How did the Teacher Training change you?
Through the training, I fundamentally understood many of the belly dance movements. It makes such a difference whether you just imitate a movement or understand it. The quality of the movements becomes better, and the dance becomes much more beautiful when you learn to move from the inside out. For me, that’s what was so special about the Essence of Bellydance method. And that's what I want to convey to my dancers. Today, I can offer the training that I would have liked to have had myself.
“It makes such a difference whether you just imitate a movement or understand it. The quality of the movements becomes better, and the dance becomes much more beautiful when you learn to move from the inside out. ”
What was the best moment in your dance life so far?
There are always little moments of happiness, for example, when I get beautiful feedback from the when they share the positive effect the dance has on them.
Is there something you regret?
No. Maybe I should have started dancing earlier, but everything in life comes at the right time, and I did what I wanted to do at every stage of my life. Don't wait until you regret something. Every day is a new chance to do the right thing.
What 3 tips would you like to share with women who want to pursue a similar dream?
1 - You don't have to be perfect to start as a teacher. You just have to always be better than your students.
2 - Don't just share techniques, but also share your energy and passion for dance.
3 - Keep learning yourself, invest in further training.
How does a day in your life look like?
A typical day for me starts at 6:30 a.m. I always have breakfast at 8:00 am, after dropping my younger daughter off at school. I place great importance to a balanced diet and try to cook everything from scratch most of the time. I train in the gym three days a week and give belly dance lessons three days a week. If the weather permits, I go for a short walk. I also do everything related to my jewelry collection at home. In between, of course, I do my household work, shopping, reading, learning online, dancing for myself... I have a perfectly normal family life. My day ends at 10 p.m.
What are 3 books that shaped your life?
There are so many great books. To name just a few that I found inspiring:
Dr. Joseph Murphy: The Path to Inner and Outer Wealth
Maxim Mankevich: Soulmaster
Heide Marie Heimhard: The Dance of the Female Soul
What is your vision for the future?
I want to inspire more women to belly dance, so I'm opening another class this month. Last year, I also completed the Essence of Bellydance Prenatal training from the dear Wiebke Würdig. I have already given my first Prenatal Bellydance course, and more are to follow. Dancing with expectant mothers feels so natural. I will offer more new workshops, possibly online. I'll just continue on the path... I'm excited.
Thank you so much for the interview, Nasi!
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.
