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Ahmileena

One of my life’s absolute passions began in 1997 with my first Belly Dance class. Thinking it would be a great way to get fit, I soon discovered a unique body/mind connection had been stirred within me. Through dance I experience a deep connection with some part of my soul that nothing else moves in quite the same way, it grounds and centres me while also giving me an unparalleled freedom of movement and creative expression.
Since joining Raks Almeh Dance Troupe in 2002, I’ve discovered the magic of dancing, as part of a group, with other women equally inspired by the joy of dance. Having the opportunity to share in that magic, joy and creativity with my troupe sisters has been a wonderful gift! As a Belly Dance instructor I find it truly inspiring to share in the energy and enthusiasm of students, who are entering into and exploring the beauty and mystery of Belly Dancing, each in their own ways.
I’ve had the great good fortune to study differing styles of Belly Dance with such fabulous teachers as Latefah, Tonje, Tamara, Sue, Sabura, Saqra, Neena & Veena, members of Gypsy Caravan and other teachers at Tribal Quest NW, Sharon Moore and Genevieve DuPuy of Infusion Tribal Belly Dance

Bala

I started taking belly dance classes at a local recreation centre at first just for the exercise, but soon got hooked on the rhythms, moves, drums. When I listened I couldn’t sit still. I was invited to join Raks Almeh soon after and have been a privy to the magic and energy created by dancing as part of a troupe, and belonging to an extremely talented and wonderful circle of women. My dance name is Bala (which means “force” in Sanskrit). I am also currently studying Flamenco in Vancouver at Al Mozaico Flamenco School. While in Spain I was overwhelmed with the passion of Flamenco dancers there. I have taken belly dance tribal workshops with Rachael Brice, belly dance cabaret with Ansuya, tribal fusion with Tonje (from Belly Belly hip), and veil workshops from Sabura in Seattle. My belly dance experience is a fantastic journey of discovery and I enjoy every step of it.

After years of pestering my husband to take dance lessons with me I gave up and began looking for something I could do alone. I discovered I was certainly not alone. When I started taking bellydance lessons with Ahmileena in the fall of 2004 I never expected the numerous friends I would make. I loved bellydance right away, I enjoyed the challenge. My love for making costumes definitely came in handy. I was playing dress-up and twirling! It was great. In the winter of 2004 I was invited to join troupe Raks Almeh, what a surprise! There is something very wonderful about being in a group of women all thrilled to be there, dreaming of colourful costumes, and wanting to dance together.

In the year 2000 I ventured down to the Chilliwack Art Centre to volunteer my services. At the desk was a very tall elegant woman with a little dog. Somehow we started talking and she said she was teaching Middle Eastern Dance and invited me to join. I was thrilled. It turned out to be quite an adventure when you have been raised to be as invisible as possible, never drawing attention to your body, infact maybe you don't even have a body! With persistance I was able to overcome this distorted belief and really get into it.
The dance instructor was Lateffa and she is amazing and so patient. In 2001 to my amazement she invited me to dance with the Bellywarriors and this was to me unbelievable. As the love of the dance continues to grow so does the love of costumes and shinny, slinky things that make noise take over your mind. It quickly became my newest hobby.
In 2002 Raks Almeh was formed and I have the honor and privilege of dancing with these 6 beautiful women friends.
Shimmy on!!!!!!!!

I started belly dancing in 2003 with my good friend Suraa. I quickly became enthralled withbellydance, loving the music, the dance, the costumes, the culture, the history, the sense of sisterhood, and the feeling of well being that bellydancing brings to devoted dancers. My interest in Middle Eastern music and dance has grown to include drumming and zilling, and playing guitar. I am nursing a passion for Middle Eastern culture and traditions, and enjoy reading about the history and evolution of bellydance. I work in an academic, as well as a public school library and have access to a seemingly endless supply of information! I have enjoyed visiting many interesting bellydance websites as well!
I joined Raks Almeh in December 2004 and am now the troupe’s PR Coordinator. Being a member of the troupe has brought me many blessings, among them the opportunity to share the art of bellydance with so many people, to give people a glimpse of a culture that originated close to twenty thousand years ago, and to meet and dance with the wonderful dancers from the troupes I have performed with, including my sisters in Raks Almeh. I have learnt so much these past few years. I am looking forward to years and years and years of bellydancing!!

	Raks Almeh Women Of Dance
	About Us
	Ahmileena One of my life’s absolute passions began in 1997 with my first Belly Dance class. Thinking it would be a great way to get fit, I soon discovered a unique body/mind connection had been stirred within me. Through dance I experience a deep connection with some part of my soul that nothing else moves in quite the same way, it grounds and centres me while also giving me an unparalleled freedom of movement and creative expression. Since joining Raks Almeh Dance Troupe in 2002, I’ve discovered the magic of dancing, as part of a group, with other women equally inspired by the joy of dance. Having the opportunity to share in that magic, joy and creativity with my troupe sisters has been a wonderful gift! As a Belly Dance instructor I find it truly inspiring to share in the energy and enthusiasm of students, who are entering into and exploring the beauty and mystery of Belly Dancing, each in their own ways. I’ve had the great good fortune to study differing styles of Belly Dance with such fabulous teachers as Latefah, Tonje, Tamara, Sue, Sabura, Saqra, Neena & Veena, members of Gypsy Caravan and other teachers at Tribal Quest NW, Sharon Moore and Genevieve DuPuy of Infusion Tribal Belly Dance Bala I started taking belly dance classes at a local recreation centre at first just for the exercise, but soon got hooked on the rhythms, moves, drums. When I listened I couldn’t sit still. I was invited to join Raks Almeh soon after and have been a privy to the magic and energy created by dancing as part of a troupe, and belonging to an extremely talented and wonderful circle of women. My dance name is Bala (which means “force” in Sanskrit). I am also currently studying Flamenco in Vancouver at Al Mozaico Flamenco School. While in Spain I was overwhelmed with the passion of Flamenco dancers there. I have taken belly dance tribal workshops with Rachael Brice, belly dance cabaret with Ansuya, tribal fusion with Tonje (from Belly Belly hip), and veil workshops from Sabura in Seattle. My belly dance experience is a fantastic journey of discovery and I enjoy every step of it. Lucianna After years of pestering my husband to take dance lessons with me I gave up and began looking for something I could do alone. I discovered I was certainly not alone. When I started taking bellydance lessons with Ahmileena in the fall of 2004 I never expected the numerous friends I would make. I loved bellydance right away, I enjoyed the challenge. My love for making costumes definitely came in handy. I was playing dress-up and twirling! It was great. In the winter of 2004 I was invited to join troupe Raks Almeh, what a surprise! There is something very wonderful about being in a group of women all thrilled to be there, dreaming of colourful costumes, and wanting to dance together. Merebah In the year 2000 I ventured down to the Chilliwack Art Centre to volunteer my services. At the desk was a very tall elegant woman with a little dog. Somehow we started talking and she said she was teaching Middle Eastern Dance and invited me to join. I was thrilled. It turned out to be quite an adventure when you have been raised to be as invisible as possible, never drawing attention to your body, infact maybe you don't even have a body! With persistance I was able to overcome this distorted belief and really get into it. The dance instructor was Lateffa and she is amazing and so patient. In 2001 to my amazement she invited me to dance with the Bellywarriors and this was to me unbelievable. As the love of the dance continues to grow so does the love of costumes and shinny, slinky things that make noise take over your mind. It quickly became my newest hobby. In 2002 Raks Almeh was formed and I have the honor and privilege of dancing with these 6 beautiful women friends. Shimmy on!!!!!!!! Skarlatt I started belly dancing in 2003 with my good friend Suraa. I quickly became enthralled withbellydance, loving the music, the dance, the costumes, the culture, the history, the sense of sisterhood, and the feeling of well being that bellydancing brings to devoted dancers. My interest in Middle Eastern music and dance has grown to include drumming and zilling, and playing guitar. I am nursing a passion for Middle Eastern culture and traditions, and enjoy reading about the history and evolution of bellydance. I work in an academic, as well as a public school library and have access to a seemingly endless supply of information! I have enjoyed visiting many interesting bellydance websites as well! I joined Raks Almeh in December 2004 and am now the troupe’s PR Coordinator. Being a member of the troupe has brought me many blessings, among them the opportunity to share the art of bellydance with so many people, to give people a glimpse of a culture that originated close to twenty thousand years ago, and to meet and dance with the wonderful dancers from the troupes I have performed with, including my sisters in Raks Almeh. I have learnt so much these past few years. I am looking forward to years and years and years of bellydancing!!