About Sahara

Murhaba, my name is Sahara, professional Belly dancer and teacher.

My belly dance story starts in my childhood.
As a little girl, the far off lands from films such as Sinbad The Sailor, Aladdin, Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves and Clash Of The Titans always made my imagination wonder. My dreams were filled with desert lands, beautiful veiled women, camels, heroes, evil villains and magic carpets.

My love of the art form began when I was just fourteen years old, when I first saw a beautiful Turkish cabaret belly dancer. The way she glided across the floor, shaking her lower body, whilst keeping the rest of her body so still mesmerized me. The beat of the music pulsated through my entire body and I felt so excited by the atmosphere and happiness on her face. Her costume was gold and floated as she flew, spun and gyrated around the room.

That moment I was hooked and managed to convince mum to take me back to Turkey only ten months later. After my second fix of belly dancers, music and wonderful live bands, we came home. A couple of months later my mum was joking with her friend after she asked "What's your daughter going to do when she leaves school?". My mum replied jokingly "She's going to be a belly dancer".
Taking this all very seriously, my mum's friend then told us how she did belly dancing classes!!!! I could not believe it, there were Belly dance classes!!! The class was miles from my house, so I excitedly traveled every week on two buses to get to my one hour belly dance class. From that class on, belly dancing took over my life. When I wasn't practicing, I was looking for or listening to Turkish, Arabic, Lebanese or Greek music.

My first belly dance teacher was the wonderful Metra, (of Iranian / Turkish descent). She taught me the heart and soul of the dance, to this day no other dancer or teacher can come above her, she is like a God to me. I will always be in her debt for her teaching, encouragement and of course, for sharing the dance that has shaped me into who I am.

After two years of Metra's teaching, she left and moved to a sunnier climate.
I was devastated. She had taught me everything, how could she leave? To replace Metra, we had a new teacher - the famous Anne Kingston, who specialized in classic Egyptian belly dance. Anne helped me to polish my technique and focus on the little details that make a performance look more professional. She also taught me about choreography and group dances.

After a year with Anne I decided I needed to get more performance experience, so I started belly dancing regularly at the Med restaurant, as well as parties and Haflas (belly dance parties).
By the time I had my nineteenth birthday, I had performed at countless parties, Haflas, clubs and restaurants. I was confident, young and ambitious, so I decided I would start up my own belly dance class. So I did.

The one class divided into two groups in 2006 - Beginners and Intermediate.

One year later "Sahara's Harem" troop, was formed, lead by Sahara of course.
Sahara's Harem perform professionally in and around the Lancashire area.

The two classes are going strong and I have recently started a new class in Cleveleys.

I feel great joy and satisfaction from teaching, as I am able to share my passion with like minded others and by spreading the word of belly dancing. It will keep our beautiful dance alive and evolving. Belly dancing is the celebration of the female form in motion - sensual, exciting and mesmerizing. In a size zero gone mad world, Belly dancing helps us keep things in perspective - being confident and loving your body is far more important.
Celebrate your curves, long flowing hair, sparkling costumes and eye catching smile.

May belly dancing bring as much joy to your life as it has mine

Love and shimmy shakes, Sahara xXx