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Iona -
Owner, Instructor
"All ages, all colors, all shapes and sizes, and all dancing!"
Photo by jawileyphotography
Iona discovered bellydancing in July 2002 and hasn't stopped since. Content with just being a student, she started taking classes with Yasmine to get fit and surprise her husband. He insisted that she continue to dance, and she happily agreed. The dance had become a part of her life, and before she knew it she'd was asked to join the Magic-Hips Dancers, a professional troupe based in Charlotte. She is currently one of the founding members of Spirit of the Lotus Dance Company and faculty member of Central Piedmont Community College where she teaches Egyptian Bellydance. Through the years she's participated in various workshops to help strengthen her dance, and found her inspiration in Bozenka and Rachel Brice. Iona's warm smile and energy on the stage captivates her audience instantly! Because percussion instruments were a major part in her life growing up, she naturally gravitated to zills and various hand drums, and finds major inspiration in Issam Houshan and Karim Nagi (Turbo Tabla).
Finding bellydance set in motion a dream to own her own dance studio and spread the spirit of dance to others. Lotus Dance Studio is that dream realized.
Iona is married to honeydo Maurice and a proud new Mother of one daughter.
Nayna - Studio Guru, Lead Instructor "If it ain't fun, why do it?"
Photo by jawileyphotography
Nayna began in bellydance in 2002 under the instruction of Yasmine and her love for this dance grew quickly. With her fluid like movements and natural skill Nayna enjoys the improvisation that is allowed in bellydance. Nayna's performances reflect her joy in the dance, and both students and audiences find themselves drawn in by her infectious smile and quick wit. She loves to teach and has a great rapport with her students, allowing them to feel relaxed and liberated. An alumni member of The Magic Hips Dancers, Lead Instructor, and Director's Assistant to Yasmine, Nayna brings a in-depth knowledge of studio operations and dance instruction. A bit of a pyro, any opportunity to work with fire fans, fire fingers, or poi is a good one! Her inspiration comes from Rachel Brice and Suhaila, and she is Level 1 certified through the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance.
Nayna is a proud Mother of two sons.
Jen - Pilates Instructor
Jen discovered Pilates after the birth of her third child, and continued her practice as a student of Pilates throughout and after her fourth birth. She was amazed at how quickly Pilates helped her regain
her core muscle strength after pregnancy. When she began belly dancing a couple of years later, she realized how Pilates enhances belly dance by helping to strengthen and maintain the core muscles which help hip movement, belly rolls, and floor work. She continues to combine Pilates, yoga and stretching to enhance performance, body confidence and internal strength. Jen emphasizes being comfortable with your body, listening to your body's wisdom and gaining confidence through Pilates. Her classes are geared towards all levels... from the very basic up and through intermediate and advanced.
In her spare time, Jen loves to belly dance with Potbelly Belly Dance, is supported by her cool hubby Kenny, and her greatest teachers are her 4 children, whom she learns and grows with every day! She is very excited to be a part of the team at Lotus Dance Studio!
Naima
- Instructor
Naima has been a national performer, choreographer, and teacher of Middle Eastern dance for over a decade. A student of dance since age 3, she has studied ballet, jazz, and modern variations with the Richmond Ballet as well as with Marian Meese, giving her technique the framework of western dance and the substance of Middle Eastern Orientale. As a former principal with the Pyramid Dance Co. in
Victoria
- Instructor
“Mrs. MacGyver”
Photo by jawileyphotography
Despite having the self-proclaimed attention span of a gnat,
Those who have interacted with her will tell you that