I was able to bribe Laylia to come out to Colorado for SFCC the first time in 2006 . . . can't remember what I bribed her with, or if I ever paid off on the bribe . . . hmmm . . . come to think of it, I don't think I did . . . unless that was the pie ;-D
But she came! And she amazed! The most recurring question I received following Shimmy was "Who was that little blonde dancer, again?!?!?" "Who was that blonde hottie?!?!?" . . . he-he . . . and then she came back for 2007 . . . and questions were asked about her possibly teaching a workshop out here in Colorado . . . watch out world! Laylia's comin' fer ya!

I suck for not writing this testimonial for almost 2 years...but here it is!
LAYLIA KICKED MY BUTT!
But in a good way :) She is one hard-workin' mama and really knows how to get a student not only motivated but just damn inspired.
I really did actually think I was strong and had good core muscles before I met Laylia...I was WRONG!!! But now I'm catchin' up cause I see what AMAZING can truly be. Thanks Laylia :) MWAH.
~Shamsi

Waffle! Waffle! Waffle!

After more classes with Laylia and after her performance this weekend, I just had to write another testimonial! I am constantly dumbfounded by this amazing woman. She always seems to have the answers to my dance questions. She can look at her students and say, "oh, try this..." and suddenly it all makes sense. She's so very perceptive, whether it's regarding her students' bodies, group dynamics, approaches to learning... she's a truly gifted teacher. Her sensitivity also makes her an excellent *performer* -not just a dancer showing off her moves. She always has the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. At this weekend's show Laylia, as usual, gave a wonderful performance. Always something new from her. Always totally appropriate for the music and the atmosphere. I'm always saying, "how does she DO that with her body?" But I've come to expect that from her; what impressed me the most this time was another example of her perception. She realized that not everyone could see in the crowded venue, so what does she do? She stands on a chair! Finally, a performance that everyone could enjoy! She was also the only one to go around and work the room. And she got up on another chair in the back of the room. Those folks at the table by the wall suddenly had front row seats. They just beamed as she showed them how it's done! I am so proud of her.

i'm honored to know and be known by laylia. she is a generous person who loves people and dancing so much, you can see it when she dance, and for that reason you can't stop smiling like a silly goofball when you watch her. and then you turn beet red and hope she didn't see you acting like such a dork. :-)

on top of all that, she has an amazing technique and original concepts of movement. there's absolutely no one like her!

Laylia is da yummy pink and blue and purple cotton candy on my paper cone, the warm fuzzy balls on an old blanket, the comforting purr on a teeny tittenthe awesome feeling of a body sugar scrub.

Scrub on sugar! Scrub on!

i don't exactly know how to say this...but i didn't even know laylia was a dancer. i thought she just did kung foo. despite the reality of it ...she also lied. she promised she would stalk me and i haven't witnessed any sign of creepy unexpected bombarding flattery.

on an honest note,
please.
god. stalk me.
Xx.
kc

I have been studying with Laylia for over a year now, in my 11th year studying belly dance. I feel SOOOO blessed to call her my teacher. I came to her class as a total fan of her dancing, not sure what to expect from her as a teacher and a person since I had only taken one seminar with her years prior. She has wowed me on all fronts. From the beginning, Laylia took me under her wing and showed me things to do with your body, exercises, and moves, that had never even entered into my conciousness before. She taught me so very much about the possibilities of movement and music interpretation, as well as audience interaction and the business of performing. I feel like I have only scratched the surface under her tutelage, but that alone has made me a much better dancer. I find myself increasingly excited to continue learning from her. She puts everyone right at ease, breaks movement down extremely well despite having what I I think is a supernatural ability to dance improvisationally, completely amazing everyone there to witness it. I have never seen anyone who dances or performs like Laylia does. I really believe she can do anything with her body. She is SO musical with her dancing. She can play the drums intricately with one part while she plays the violin smoothly with another part of her body, all the while cracking the audience up with her silly, endearing antics. Also, as a student, it is very exciting to learn her choreography, which never fails to surprise and challenge me. On top of all of this, she is as respectful, non-judging, kind, supportive, and generous a person as you could possibly meet. And f'ing hilarious! I absolutely think the world of her and consider myself incredibly lucky to be her student and friend. I love you, girl!

You can come and dance Marco Polo with us anytime, Laylia! You are awesome... and such fun to work with!

I can't wait to visit you at the Ren Fest this fall!

Amma

While one teacher is not for everyone, I enjoy Laylia because she gives us options of movement. She is constantly showing me new ways to think about what I am doing, and doesn't tell me that how other people do it is wrong, unless it is hurting my body..

I like that she challanges me to look at the usefulness of each dancer and teacher in and to the community- and to look at both sides of things.

She takes the time to stop me in the middle of my private class and ask me what is up.. when something personal is getting in the way of my dance training (often I don't even realize it)

- she listens, then suggests odd things like finding support resources for myself- even if it is just someone to sit down and bitch about my day with. And ways to chart my progress so I feel good about my dancing.. and they always seem to be just what I needed.

She never tries to be my hero, do it for me, or make herself my protector. Instead she shows me how to change it into a positive light and supports me while I make my own decisions- or don't. And let's me know she likes me either way.

She has changed my life in many ways-
She is my Mary Poppins!

Laylia, dear.....

Snakes and Monkeys....

Match made in heaven....

We belong together!

I am coming for you next!!! LOL.

Amma

PS. Laylia is da bomb, and anyone who has seen her dance knows it! She can work an audience like no-one I know. Gimme some Laylia! Any day!!! Hiss, hiss.

Laylia, wow.. she's amazing. She's so incredibly geniune, sincere and so incredibly funny. I don't think she even realizes how incredibly talented she is or how much people adore her, she's so humble. Ok, let's talk talent. The woman is crazy talented. I am always so mezmerized when I watch her dance. It's completely effortless. She just becomes the dance.. she is the dance.. She is Laylia.. pure and simple. She's fantastic and I luv her.

Aziza and Rachel Brice are wonderful, they definately have "IT"

We have a dancer in our neck of the woods who has "IT".

Laylia ... anyone who has seen Laylia perform and really interact with her audience leaves the scene raving about her. I think she's our little dynomite dancer.

The thing with Laylia is, she takes it all in stride. it's just fun for her. she is believable. The believability factor is extremely important. I also think she doesn't have an ounce of fear when it comes to being in front of a crowd, she interacts with them and just treats it as though she's at home doing the dishes, but with pizzaz.

Aurelia Vasudhara

In addition to her fantastic performances, I was so impressed with Laylia's knowledge of belly dance as a complete art form. She's studied its history, its stylistic variations and the cultures from which it grew. Her aproach to dancing is just as complete. She's done her homework on body alignment, anatomy and athletic training. All this plus her classes are a blast! She's a skilled teacher with a spunky, funky, fun and flirty sense of humor.

laylia is the most supportive generous person ever and her dancing is inspiring, entertaining, and it really reveals her fantastimagical personality.

I can't imagine a more beautiful woman in Ohio. Laylia is adorable, sweet, kind hearted and fun loving, not to mention she has more talent in her little finger than I can imagine having in my whole body. What a temptress...her dance style is fluid, effortless, graceful and classy. The audience cannot help being drawn in with her flirtatious eyes and cute antics. Laylia just has "it," She's a natural born star who is bound for great things.

Aurelia Vasudhara (mouse)