Female

Zahira, an accomplished Egyptian bellydance performer and instructor, studied Middle Eastern dance from the mid 1980's. Finding the moves natural to her body and empowering for her soul, Zahira continued to study, practice and attend workshops, and eventually began instructing. She has trained with Raqia Hassan, Ehab Gadallah, Hadia, Yasmina Ramsy, Hind, Jasmille, Aziza and many more artists over the years. This led her to her ultimate dream of traveling to, and performing in, Egypt. Zahira spent two years in Cairo, from 2000-2002, raising her daughter, dancing and working as an English tutor and preschool teacher. Her goal was to capture the essence of the culture, which ultimately underpins heart of the dance. It is this spirit of the dance that Zahira wanted to bring back to her audiences and students in Canada.

Zahira returned to Canada to study for university and presently resides in Kaslo, BC where she is raising her daughter. She recently returned to Cairo to marry her Egyptian sweetheart, Hassan. Zahira teaches Egyptian bellydance classes in Nelson, Castlegar and Kaslo, and workshops throughout the Kootenays and is the artistic director of the Blue Lotus Dance troupe. Zahira’s classes focus on body awareness, safety, and technique…with a healthy dose of humour! Students find this art form highly beneficial for strengthening, reshaping, flexibility and general fitness, while also providing opportunities for creativity, self-expression, camaraderie and cultural awareness. Zahira now has over 23 years of dance experience and endeavours to teach in an empowering and joyous atmosphere!