Mahin Sciacca, Author at Mahin's Bellydance Quickies

How To Get Motivated & Organized In Belly Dance When You Don't Have A Teacher

Posted on June 9, 2014March 21, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

I’m introducing a new occasional feature on the Daily Bellydance Quickies called “Raks Me A Question”. (Thanks, Pamela Yvette on Facebook for coming up with a fun name for this segment!) This will be part belly dance Q & A, part Dear Abby for dancers. We’ll tackle some why’s and how’s of belly dance and also take on some more sticky situations with clients, fellow dancers, students and other relationships. Our first question comes from […]

From the Arabic Top 10 – June 2014: "Kboush El Touti" by Hadi Daou

Posted on June 2, 2014March 21, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

This month’s pick from the Arabic Top 10 is actually a remake by Hadi Daou of a popular song from over 20 years ago. The original version of “Kboush El Touti” (also known as “La Thezzi Kboush El Touti”) was recorded by Melhem Barakat, a Lebanese singer and songwriter. This song is actually a funny and light song with a dabke-type feel. According to my trusty native translator, the song is well-known and popular among […]

Staying Focused In Your Belly Dance & Fitness

Posted on May 14, 2014March 21, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

Do you go through phases of being super-committed to your belly dance practice or workouts, then fall off the wagon? I think we all exhibit this pattern with something in our lives. For me it’s keeping my office out of a state of chaos so I can actually concentrate on work. Success with long-term commitments, is not about the big push, it’s about the consistency and building positive habits. I picked up two tidbits that […]

How I Met My "Belly Grandma"

Posted on May 11, 2014March 21, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

Who do you consider your “belly mama”? For many dancers, it’s their first teacher. For others, it’s their most influential teacher. That’s how it is for me. My first instruction came from a friend, then I took a group class, then I moved to another class – where I fell into the lap of the woman I consider my “belly mama”, Jazmine. Jazmine would often talk about her own belly mama, Una. I never saw […]

How Not to Exercise – Work Smarter, Not Just Longer

Posted on April 4, 2014March 21, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

As bikini season approaches, I see more and more fitness challenges on Facebook and Twitter. The “Brazen Fit Ab Challenge”, the “30 Day Squat Challenge”, and the “5/100 Fitness Challenge” are just a few examples . Anyone who has subscribed to the Daily Bellydance Quickies or has followed this blog for any length of time already knows that I am a huge proponent of fitness training for not only your general health, but also to […]