RANIA's ASK 10 PAGE

RANIA

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA The 1st bellydancer to be honored for this page has some of the most sultry moves to grace a dance floor or stage. She was inspired as a girl, and has taken her life to grow and develop her passions to join the elite in the art form. The only thing stronger than her will is her abdominals.

A visual definition of beauty and power, allow yourself to get inside the mind (and belly) of a legend in the making.

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1) What was your 1st inspiration that led you to the world of bellydance?

''I saw an awesome bellydancer in a Greek restaurant when I was 8. I still remember everything about her: her hair, make-up and hip work in her drum solo. I thought her body was a drum kit.''

2) As a proud woman of Greek heritage, is it true that there is a ''Greek-style'' of bellydancing?

''Greek-style bellydance is different from Arabic. The music is different to begin with. greek bellydance is very, very fast for the most part interspersed with the occasional slower veilwork and taksim. Overall, it is very lively, with a celebratory mood.

3) You've won 2 Bellydancer of the Universe titles (2000 Universal & 2002 Egyptian). How is it to bellydance competitively?

''The 1st time I entered the competition, just wnated to meet people, as I had just moved to California. I thought it would be good to see the scores from the judges to see where I could improve. I didn't expect to win. The 2nd time (2K2), I was recovering from a pinched nerv in my lower backand hadn't danced in a while. I used the competition as a goal to focus on my recovery.So, I think the only reason I won both times is because I wasn't focused on winning and wasn;t thinking competitively. People tried to stress me out before entering the 2nd time by saying that now I had a name for myself, I should not risk failing in front of everyone. I didn;t care if I failed. I thought it would be a great lesson for my students if I did fail to show we should all have the attitude of being eternal students and not worry about failure or image.''

4) Where have you traveled that interested you the most?

''Tough question. I fell in love with Egypt and constantly think about going back. But, I also went to Italy. I did not wan to return home and seriously considered moving to Europe. It's the warmth and friendliness of the people that I really enjoy.''

5) Who are your favorite bellydancers?

''Another tough question. I love watching so many different dancers. I think LUCY (Egypt) is awesome, SAMIA GAMAL & MONA EL SAID (Egypt), AMANI (Lebanon), ZAHRA ZUHAIR & SAHRA KENT (CA) and SUZANNA DEL VECCHIO (CO) are all high on my list, and I think JILLINA(CA) and drum solos go together like peanut butter and jelly.''

6) How has your AF6) How has your AFAA-certification (aerobics) helped you in bellydance?

''No help at all to performing, except I am very aware how to avoid injury. However, it has really helped my teaching a LOT. It helps teach moves clearly by breaking down muscle groups, teaching proper posture, warm-ups and stretching, and how to do difficult moves without risk of injury.'' AA-

7) Arguably, you have some of the best ''bellywork'' (rolls and undulations) of performers today. What are your secrets?

''No secrets to bellywork. It just takes a lot of very frustrating practice.''

8) How does a bellydancer choose the music you select for a performance?

''Very important in the sense that it helps to have music that motivates me to dance. Also important in the aspect of what ethnicity the audience is.''

9) Bellydancers are often confused with strippers. How do you seperate yourself from strippers to other people?

''SHEHERAZAT (CT) told me many years ago that women shouldn't be offended at watching a bellydancer, because in order to perform publicly, a bellydancer should be so accomplished that the audience is amazed at the movement, isolations and control. I have been living according to those words ever since.''

10) One day, the time will come when you'll retire from performing and step off the dance floor for the final time. How would you like to be remembered?

''I would like to leave behind the impression that I did my best to learn, perform represent, and teach an art form that I have been head-over-heels in love with since that 1st dancer I saw at the age of 8.'' :)

http://www.raniabellydance.com

E-MAIL: rania@raniabellydance.com

tion (aeQ U I C K P I C K S

UPDATED: AUGUST 10, 2009

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*She participated on the Bellydance Superstars tour,

*Her Bellydancer of the Universe Egyptian win is avaiable thru TONYA & ATLANTIS (CA).

*She admittingly like to practice bellyrolls while driving.

*She enjoys designing websites and photography in her spare time..

*She has met and talked to DINA (Egypt).Back in 2004, she got the honor to watch her perform in Dallas.

*She belly danced with SHEHERAZAT and MAIIAH (CT) in her early years.

*Has a brand new website that she established in late 2008 and has released a new series of instructional DVDs.