Belly Dance, Psychology & Taking Risks—The Journey That Brought Me Here

Hey there, friends!

It’s my birthday month! 🎉 Another year older, maybe a little wiser, and definitely full of gratitude. Birthdays always get me reflecting—thinking about how far I’ve come, the lessons I’ve learned, and all the amazing people who’ve been part of my journey. So, I thought I’d share a little bit about myself and my story this month. Consider this a celebration of life, growth, and everything that’s yet to come. Thanks for being here to celebrate with me!

Where It All Began

I was born and raised in India, but my story is deeply tied to the Middle East. My family lived there for decades before moving back just a year before I was born. That influence shaped my life—hummus and falafel were staples at home before anyone in India knew what they were! My grandfather, fluent in 11 languages, introduced me to Arabic, unknowingly planting the seeds for my love of Middle Eastern culture and, eventually, belly dance.

At 14, I stumbled upon belly dance on YouTube and was instantly hooked. I practiced obsessively, breaking down every move, rewinding videos endlessly. By 16, I gathered the courage to ask my dad if I could take formal classes—knowing full well how belly dance was perceived in India. It wasn’t respected, and pursuing it meant facing judgment.

To my surprise, he agreed—but with a condition: one level only. I eagerly said, OK! That small "yes" changed everything. What started as a secret passion turned into a lifelong journey—one that would take me across the world, learning, teaching, and immersing myself in the incredible art of belly dance.

The Journey Unfolds

The Journey Unfolds

That one level agreement didn’t last long. The deeper I got into belly dance, the more I knew—it wasn’t just a hobby, it was my calling. I spent hours every day in front of the mirror, self-studying, dissecting movements, rewinding performances, and analyzing every rhythm and melody. Belly dance became my obsession, my escape, my identity.

One level turned into another, and before I knew it, I was traveling the world—training under legends like Rachel Brice, Didem, Fifi Abdou, Tito Seif, and Moria Chappell. What started as a bedroom obsession led me to teach internationally. I was invited as a Master Teacher at the Tarazade Festival in Istanbul, represented India at The Global Belly Dance Conference in China, and trained in the USA with Rachel Brice and Fat Chance Belly Dance. And, of course, I kept returning to Egypt—the heartland of it all.

But this journey wasn’t unfolding in isolation. While I was breathing dance, I was also deeply immersed in another world—psychology.

The Balancing Act – Psychology & Belly Dance

While belly dance took over my heart, my mind was equally immersed in clinical psychology—studying emotions, diagnoses, and mental wellness. My days were spent analyzing human behavior, my evenings lost in movement, music, and shimmies.

At first, they felt like two separate worlds—one structured and analytical, the other fluid and expressive. But over time, I saw the connection. Dance wasn’t just movement; it was healing. It unlocked emotions, bridged the mind and body, and became a form of therapy beyond words.

Psychology deepened my understanding of expression—how movement could release stored emotions, how posture could reflect confidence or fear. Meanwhile, belly dance taught me patience, body awareness, and a kind of self-trust no textbook could offer.

Eventually, I realized I wasn’t just teaching dance—I was creating a space for healing and empowerment. This understanding became the foundation of Aranya Belly Dance & Movement Studio—not just a dance school, but a place where movement, wellness, and self-expression come together holistically..

Taking the Leap – A New Chapter in Canada

In 2019, I took a terrifying yet exhilarating leap—I packed my life into two suitcases and moved to Canada. Leaving behind my roots, family, and everything I had built was daunting, but something inside me knew this was the next step.

Starting over meant rebuilding from scratch—new culture, new people, new challenges. For the first time in years, I wasn’t surrounded by my dance community. I had to find my rhythm again, create new opportunities, and carve out space for my passion.

And just as I was beginning to find my footing, the world shut down.

Lost in the Darkness – But Not Defeated

When COVID hit, my new life in Canada came to a sudden halt. No shows, no classes, no way to meet people. I was an immigrant and an artist in a country where I barely knew anyone, locked inside, feeling invisible. The dance world I had spent years building felt completely out of reach.

But in that darkness, I made a promise to myself—I would find my way back to dance and teaching, no matter what. Even if it meant starting from scratch again, I wasn’t going to let go of the one thing that had always been my anchor.

The road back wasn’t easy. For a year, I searched for a space to teach. With no connections and no opportunities, I took whatever I could find—even teaching out of an eyelash salon! It wasn’t ideal, but every small step forward reminded me why I was fighting so hard for this.

Then one day, I decided I wasn’t going to wait any longer. I was going to create my own space.

Aranya – A Leap of Faith

IIn that moment, I took the biggest risk of my life—I opened my own studio. No guarantees, no roadmap, just a vision and an unshakable belief that this was what I was meant to do.

That’s how Aranya Belly Dance & Movement was born.

Aranya isn’t just a studio—it’s a space where belly dance is more than movement; it’s storytelling, healing, and self-expression. A place where people from all backgrounds come together to move, connect, and rediscover themselves through dance.

It’s also where my two worlds—dance and psychology—intersect. My background in mental wellness shapes the way I teach, making each class more than just technique. Whether it’s helping someone build confidence, find joy in movement, or embrace their body with love, Aranya is about transformation.

Starting over in Canada wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, times I questioned if I had made the right decision. But every time I step into the studio, see a student light up, or witness someone break through a barrier they never thought they could—I know, without a doubt, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

Looking Ahead – What’s Next?

As I step into another year of life, I can’t help but feel deeply grateful—for the struggles that shaped me, the unexpected turns that led me here, and the incredible people who have been part of this journey. From practicing in my bedroom with YouTube videos to traveling the world to learn from masters, from teaching in an eyelash salon to opening my own studio—every challenge, every leap of faith has brought me closer to where I’m meant to be.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the journey never really stops. There’s always more to explore, more to learn, and more to create. This is just the beginning.

I dream of growing Aranya into not just a dance studio, but a thriving community. I want to keep evolving as an artist, to travel, to study, and to deepen my understanding of this beautiful art form. Most of all, I want to continue sharing what dance has given me—helping others find joy, freedom, and healing through movement.

The past few years have tested me in ways I never imagined, but they also proved something important—I will always find my way back to my passion, no matter what. And as I move forward, I do so with excitement, purpose, and an open heart, ready for whatever comes next.

Celebrate With Me!

Since it’s my birthday month (yes, I’m claiming the whole month!), I’d love to hear from you. If you’ve been a part of this journey—whether through dance, friendships, or just cheering me on from afar—send me a message! What’s a memory we’ve shared that makes you smile? Or if you’re feeling generous, share a piece of advice for the year ahead.

Thank you for being part of my story. Here’s to another year of growth, movement, and magic!