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Yasmina Ramzy

Visionary, Choreographer, Master Teacher, Always Exploring.

Recent Activity

Arrested in Damascus

This was the beginning of my non love affair with Hafez Al Assad. The next part of my story I kept secret until after the Syrian revolution started. Continue reading

Posted Mar 4, 2018 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Sequined Silence

After performing in Amman Jordan in 1983, I returned home to Canada having forgotten how to speak and be social. Continue reading

Posted Feb 23, 2018 at Yasmina Ramzy

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"What more could I ask for?" Mahmoud Reda

Continuation of Blog called “There is Always Hope" Mahmoud Reda (September 2015) Rosa took me to the balcony of their apartment and described how empty the street was when they moved in 52 years earlier and how much has changed with the area built up now. Remembering the balcony, I... Continue reading

Posted Feb 26, 2016 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Only One New Year Resolution For 2016

In January of 2014, I published my nine New Year resolutions in this blog but I only accomplished them in 2015 as follows: 1/ Dance alone in the studio more. 2/ No more smoking except for the occasional shisha. 3/ Meditate more. 4/ Remind myself everyday how lucky I am.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Bellydance as Sexualized Spectacle

If you believe that sex is a sacred and holy expression of the miracle of the universe and/or an expression of infinite love, then Bellydance is the perfect vehicle for this message. Many women who study Bellydance find it empowering because the archetypal movement and nuance they are tapping into... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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The Significance of Dancing to the Music of Oum Kalthoum

These are thoughts about the significance of Oum Kalthoun for Bellydancers taken from articles I wrote as part of the Ask Yasmina Column for Gilded Serpent. Although written and published in 2009 and 2010, I feel they are still relevant for students today. Understanding the importance of Oum Kalthoum and... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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An Earthshaker Emotional Moment

Arabesque Earthshakers recently had their 5 year anniversary this past Spring. It is has been a very exciting and enlightening journey. I created this ensemble idea as an angry reaction to the ridiculous constant point being made in the media about BMI and that it was unhealthy to be over... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Rediscovering Teaching

(Written December 6, 2015) Waking up this morning feeling a familiar kind of fulfilment I have not felt for many, many years. I starting officially teaching Middle Eastern dance in 1983. Opened Arabesque Academy in 1987. Back then I knew every student intimately and shared in their struggles and triumphs.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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"There is Always Hope" Mahmoud Reda

Every time I want to write about my most recent visit with Mahmoud Reda in Cairo this past Summer, I get paralyzed. Where to begin? It feels like a book needs to explode out of me, there is too much to say. "Where to begin" is an understatement. In order... Continue reading

Posted Sep 13, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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The Healing Powers of Bellydance

"Were these beautiful young girls going to miss out on something so precious and end up instead, being part of a new global cheerleader type dance form?" It has been a year since I wrote the Blog Post called "Am I Still a Bellydancer? It is the most read, commented... Continue reading

Posted Aug 30, 2015 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Widening Your Horizons

Anyone of us could have been born in another place or time with a vastly different set of life circumstances. Perhaps we get trapped and rigid in who we think we are and the role we play everyday having no idea that we are really much more vast and interesting.... Continue reading

Posted Nov 16, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Part Two - Am I Still a Bellydancer?

Zeitgeist? Last week's blog post called "Am I Still a Bellydancer?" was an eye opener. It has been read over 4500 times so far and received more comments directly on the post than all of my other previous posts put together. The re-posting on other group and personal Facebook walls... Continue reading

Posted Aug 25, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Am I still a Bellydancer?

After 34 years, I have decided not to be a Bellydancer anymore. Actually, I am probably more of a Bellydancer than I am a Canadian or that I have blue eyes. I can never deny everything that has made me who I am since the age of 20 considering it... Continue reading

Posted Aug 19, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Dance Artists Trying to Raise Funds

Someone form Croatia contacted me wanting me to answer a lot of questions about my experience with Kickstarter as they are thinking of getting it in Croatia. I did not have time to answer all the questions so I gave her a synopsis. I thought some of the points may... Continue reading

Posted Aug 17, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Literal or Non-Literal Dance?

Should a full length dance production be a series of experiences or should it tell a literal story or even a third choice; should the series of experiences be linked into a story? Should artistic ideas and messages be spelled out literally? Just as there are many art forms and... Continue reading

Posted May 11, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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There are so many ways one can define the difference between an amateur artist and a professional like skill level, experience, fees charged, recognition, etc. I believe the number one defining factor is an attitude and relationship with the art form. Amateur dancer seeks and enjoys approval. Professional dancer seeks... Continue reading

Posted May 4, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Plugging In To The Power Source

Giving in to the source, whether it be the pelvis or the floor or Arab music or Arab culture is the moment one becomes a Bellydancer. Sohair Zaki, Samia Gamal, Naqua Fouad, Dina, Tahia Carioca, Fifi Abdou, Naima Akef, Mona Said and all the greats of the art form we... Continue reading

Posted Apr 28, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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True to Thyself - Post Sawah Production Thoughts

SAWAH INSIDE INFO # 10 (out of 10) - True to Thyself What did I learn in the making of SAWAH? More than ever I have learned that I must listen to and trust my instincts about music choice, costumes, lighting and of course movement. In INSIDE INFO # 1... Continue reading

Posted Apr 25, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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SAWAH - INSIDE INFO #2 (out of 10)

Arabesque has almost doubled in size to over 43 dancers and musicians for SAWAH. On top of that, everyone is getting in everyone's business. Bassam makes it known where he thinks hand movements should be added or when dancers should face up or down stage. Watching him demonstrate a Bellydance... Continue reading

Posted Apr 3, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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SAWAH Production - Inside Info #1

There are 5 pieces of music I have been dying to choreograph and have been begging Bassam, Suleiman and the Arabesque Orchestra to play for an Arabesque production every since 2005 but they have refused for one reason or another. We took a year off last year and something must... Continue reading

Posted Mar 22, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Wisdom Words From Elena

For this week's Blog Post, I thought I would share the wisdom of Elena Lentini. Eleven days ago on January 27th, I wrote a Blog Post called The Truth; Bitter & Sweet. It spoke of a lesson I learned that involved Elena Lentini, dancer/choreographer extraordinaire form NYC. I notified her... Continue reading

Posted Feb 9, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Aspirations of Today's Bellydancer

It seems that until recently, generally a professional Bellydancer's highest goal (outside of Folklore troupes in M.E.) was to be a soloist in an Arab night club in the West or Middle East. Much to the dismay of our young Bellydance sisters of today, they have to hear about the... Continue reading

Posted Feb 5, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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The Truth: Bitter & Sweet

For several years back in the early 1980s, I was performing 2 shows a night, 6 nights a week with 5-6 musicians at a night club called Cleopatra as well as many weddings, baptisms and other special occasions. I was living and working in a dance cocoon, dancing only for... Continue reading

Posted Jan 26, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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Bias Confession

This blog post is in praise of learning from different teachers and to never let negative gossip and biased opinions shade your heart and mind from being open to new ideas. I had the profound good fortune in the 1980s and 90s to study Egyptian dance with the late great... Continue reading

Posted Jan 20, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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New Year Resolutions For 2014

Dance alone in the studio more. No more smoking except for the occssional shisha. Meditate more. Remind myself everyday how lucky I am. Savour every interaction with all those I cross paths with. Keep seeking truth and love. Stop censoring myself in an effort not to offend others. Be fearless... Continue reading

Posted Jan 5, 2014 at Yasmina Ramzy

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