Belyssa is a pioneering figure in Australian belly dance who founded the Belyssa Academy of Danse Orientale and the Flames of Araby troupe, establishing a legacy of dramatic, classical artistry. Over the past 30 years, Belyssa has dedicated herself to documenting the raw, earthbound rhythms and movements of isolated Bedouin tribes in the Sinai and Western Desert, far removed from the theatrical polish of Cairo stages. This deep anthropological work defines her current teaching philosophy, "Just Dance," which focuses on transmitting authentic micro-mannerisms and a profound, respectful connection to community traditions rather than mere choreography. Today, she holds a massive, sensitive archive of cultural documentation and continues to mentor dancers globally, advocating for the ethical preservation of dance as a living memory of its people.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How dance lives in social contexts that most performers never witness

- What she discovered about Bedouin celebrations, gender dynamics, and who actually dances — and when

- The ethical dilemma of carrying stories that are not fully yours when sharing her research publicly

- Her firsthand experience of Ramadan and how it shifted her perception of cultural moments

- The difference between staged folklore and lived embodied practice

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Belyssa on Facebook, and her Academy Page.

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Fernanda Reschke is a Brazilian-born Oriental dance artist, educator, and trauma-informed psychotherapist whose work bridges movement, culture, and healing. She began her career as a dancer and choreographer at a young age and later trained in counseling and naturopathy, holding a bachelor’s degree in holistic health and wellbeing. Fernanda spent many years living and performing professionally in the Middle East, specializing in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and folkloric traditions of the SWANA region. Now based in Australia, she is internationally recognized for her warm, inclusive, and culturally respectful teaching approach. As a PACFA-accredited psychotherapist and advanced Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Fernanda supports dancers in reconnecting with their bodies, emotions, and sense of belonging while honoring Raqs Sharqi as a living cultural art form.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The hidden mental health challenges of working belly dancers

- Body image pressure, harassment, and unspoken industry norms

- How validation, visibility, and social media affect dancers’ nervous systems

- Why not every hardship is trauma — and why that distinction matters

- What “taking care of mental health” actually looks like in daily life

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Fernanda on Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Sadie is an internationally recognized Oriental dance artist, educator, and innovator dedicated to empowering people through the art of belly dance. She has produced dozens of bestselling instructional videos, amassed millions of views through viral online content, and represented Oriental dance before a global audience on America’s Got Talent. Sadie is the founder and director of Raqs Online and the Raqs Flow training program, which offers a strong technical foundation while maintaining deep connection to cultural roots, musicality, and embodied expression. In addition to teaching and performing worldwide, she curates destination dance retreats that blend movement, self-exploration, nature, and conscious living. Based in Denver, Colorado, Sadie is passionate about holistic, sustainable living and weaves together dance, music, nature, and human connection in both her teaching and retreats, inspiring dancers around the world to grow artistically and personally.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How Sadie’s relationship with dance has evolved over her career

- The ongoing dilemma between following artistic calling and choosing stability

- Navigating aging, visibility, and self-worth in a youth-centered dance culture

- Why the “maiden–mother–crone” archetype matters in belly dance today

- Why Sadie chose to return to university and study psychology at this stage of life

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Sadie Marquardt on Instagram, FB, website and Youtube, as well as her online classes at Raqs Online.

Previous interview with Sadie:

Ep 157. Sadie Marquardt: Respect Your Need to Recharge

Ep 39. Sadie Marquardt: Reclaiming Feminine Power

Ep 14. Sadie Marquardt: Before & After Social Media Hit

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast