Dancing Goddess with Lamia Barbara

Hello beautiful dancer and welcome to this new appointment with A Cup of Tea Series, our conversations about soulful and creative Fusion Bellydance ☕ Today I’m delighted and honoured to share with you a mesmerising and inspiring conversation with the incredible Bindu Bolar 🪷 Bindu is an award-winning Fusion Bellydance artist and one of the pioneers of Tribal Fusion in India. With over a decade of experience, she developed her own distinctive style known as Belly Animation - a powerful blend of isolations, fluidity, precision and deep musical connection. A professional theatre actress turned dancer, Bindu weaves storytelling, emotional depth and rigorous discipline into her performances, creating pieces that feel both otherworldly and deeply human. Her presence on stage is magnetic - but it’s her soul-led process and devotion to the art that truly set her apart. In this rich and heartfelt episode we talked about: 🐉 The story and essence behind her unique style, Belly Animation 🧠 The role of discipline, creativity and intention in crafting powerful performances 🔥 How to explore sharpness, slowness and musicality with more awareness 🌺 Her vision of dance as a sacred act of self-expression and emotional alchemy This conversation is a true gem for dancers who want to deepen their presence, explore their individuality, and expand their creative toolkit. 🎧 So, prepare your favorite cup of tea (or cacao!) and join us for this rich and inspiring dialogue full of embodiment, artistry and soulful fire. Follow Bindu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bindu.bolar22/ 🌺 And take a look at my NEW Indian Fusion Immersion offers dedicated to the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/courses ======================== ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/JgPAzjpIDio

Today I’m beyond delighted to share with you a luminous and heart-opening conversation with the wonderful Kira Lebedeva, also known in the dance world as Habibi Lal ✨ Kira is an internationally respected Tribal Fusion Bellydance artist with over 13 years of performing and teaching experience. Her journey through movement began in 2010, intertwining deeply with the philosophy of yoga and the discipline of various dance and body practices. Renowned for her extraordinary technique in isolations and flexibility, Kira’s performances seem to float between strength and surrender - and yet, behind the fluid grace lies a devotion forged through years of focused training. But what truly sets her apart is something even more subtle and sacred: her ability to listen to music with her whole body. Her choreographies are not just sequences: they are stories. Invitations. Living expressions of artistry where tradition meets individuality. In this soulful episode we talked about: 🌿 The importance of community and why we need each other as artists 🔥 How to find inspiration again when your spark feels dim 💫 The magic of artistic integrity in a fast-paced world 🕯️ Simple but powerful advice to nurture your dance practice with purpose This conversation feels like a breath of fresh air, deeply grounding, subtly empowering, and full of quiet fire. 🎧 So brew your favorite tea, wrap yourself in something soft, and come sit with us in this sacred circle of wisdom and movement 🐍🪷 Follow Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kira_habibi_lal/ 🌺 And take a look at this week's practice on my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/PU-IkbI0n0Q ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/eX-l8ssfumM

Hello beautiful dancer and welcome to this appointment with A Cup of Tea, our conversation about soulful and creative Fusion Bellydance ☕ Today I have a special guest with me and I'm very excited to share with you this amazing interview with Drake Von Trapp 🖤 From Central Texas, Drake is a Bellydance historian, historiographer, and researcher, specifically in the scope of men and fusion belly dance in the United States. Currently he is a PhD student in Performance Studies at UT Austin, where he continues his research into the history of Bellydance in the US. During this juicy interview he'll share with you: 💃 What's the difference between "Hybrid" and "Fusion" Bellydance 💥 What really distinguishes Fusion Bellydance from other styles of Bellydance 🪽 How to approach the departure from the word "Tribal" and how to define this dance style 🦸‍♂️ What have been the trends in Fusion Bellydance and what might be coming next This interview is SO inspiring! Have your cup of tea or coffee ready 🧡🫶 Go check Drake’s profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drake.vontrapp/ 🌺 And take a look at this week's practice on my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/-gvdUY_zH8Q ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CsckE9eFgmk

Today I have a special guest with me and I'm very excited to share with you this amazing interview with Ethel Anima 🖤 Originally from Belarus, Ethel lives in Krakow, Poland and is a well-known performer and teacher of Dark/Gothic Fusion style, choreographer and costume designer. Ethel is the creator of vivid emotional images and spectacular performances, and the organiser of the International Tribal Festival in Krakow. During this juicy interview she'll share with you: 💃 How Fusion can become your vehicle for personal expression 💥 Tools on how to spark inspiration for your dance creations 🪽 How to break free from our self-limiting beliefs and step into confidence 🦸‍♂️ Advices on how to find your uniqueness as your superpower ... and SO much more! Have your cup of tea of coffee ready and enjoy 🫶 Go check Ethel's profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethel_anima/ 🌺 And take a look at this week's practice on my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/-gvdUY_zH8Q   ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/AsId1jy_QnA

Hello beautiful dancer, in this special occasion of Navaratri I want to share with you a little glimpse inside the D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship, as we enter Week 4 of our inaugural cohort. Inspired by Goddess Durga and the energy of Navaratri, we explore what it means to truly own your power as a dancer - not by becoming louder or stronger, but by becoming more present, embodied and connected to the energy already living within you. A little seed from the work we’re doing inside D.E.V.I. 🪷 The next cohort opens in 2027. Join the waitlist through the link: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gyXCKblpSPQ

Hello beautiful dancer and welcome to this amazing interview for our A Cup of Tea series! I'm SO excited to share with you this beautiful chat with Kamrah 🌟 Viral TikTok star, performer, teacher, and more, Kamrah is Chicago’s first trans masculine belly dancer. He has performed fusion, American cabaret, Lebanese, and Egyptian belly dance since 2001 and is noted for his creativity, isolations, and theatricality. We talk about: 🎯 What is "core fusion" in Fusion Bellydance 👐 How to create inclusive environments in the community 🪢 How to help this art form survive to the passing of time ... And so much more! Have your cup of tea or coffee ready and enjoy ☕ Go check Kamrah's profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamrahdancer/ ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/mngpXAAzKJs

I am thrilled to share with you today's interview with the gorgeous Dipika Vijay 😍 Dipika is an academically trained designer and a movement artist and coach age mentor by passion. Her dance company is called Badass Belly Dance, and her fitness classes fly under the name Firefly Aerial Fitness, both in Mumbai, India.  She has been Belly Dancing for over 17 years and confidently claims that design and alternate movement intensify, add more substance and vocabulary to her dance and body's intelligence. She dances to create more beauty, reclaim strength, and teaches so that others may see the beauty and strength that already exists within them. She uses movement to create form and form to shape thoughts.  You will love this interview SO much! Have your cup of tea or coffee ready ☕ Go check Dipika's profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dipikavijay/   ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi   ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/AoQ-TB4yHrY

Hello beautiful dancer, today I want to share with you an amazing interview with Nivetha Shree. After training in both Bellydance and Yoga, Nivetha discovered and deeply fell in love with Tribal/Fusion Bellydance. Over the years she has taught workshops and performed in various Bellydance festivals and also had the privilege of organizing Tribal Nritta - the first event dedicated to Tribal/Fusion Bellydance in Bangalore. Nivetha is also the first FCBD Sister Studio in India! This interview is SO inspiring and you'll find it so juicy! Have your cup of tea or coffee ready 🧡 Go check Nivetha's profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niveetha_dancer/ ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/qNbE6CWmmCg

What happens when we stop trying to get every movement right... And simply begin to dance? In this episode, recorded just after the first D.E.V.I. Method Open House, I'm reflecting on what happened when a group of dancers moved beyond technique, perfectionism and self-observation - and into embodiment, expression and presence. We explore why technique is not the destination, how dance can become an act of offering, and what changes when we stop asking "How do I look?" and begin asking "What do I have to offer?" I'll also share some of the beautiful reactions from the dancers who joined the Open House - and why this experience reinforced everything I believe about the power of mentorship, community and embodied practice 🪷 ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/ ✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/nqi8-VncEyM

What if dance became more than something you learn, perform, or perfect? What if it became a devotional practice - a way to listen, remember, create, and come home to yourself? In this episode of the Dancing Goddess podcast, I invite you to explore what happens when we stop asking “Am I doing this right?” and begin asking: “What wants to move through me?” We’ll explore the Muse, embodiment, improvisation, and the sacred relationship between movement and self-expression.And I’ll invite you into a little experience of your own 🪷   ⇢ Are you ready to stop collecting movements and start cultivating an embodied artistic practice? 🪷 The D.E.V.I. Method™ Mentorship & Certification Program is a 12-week practitioner training designed to help you build a dance practice rooted in devotion, embodiment, cultural integrity and soulful confidence - so you can become the artist your dance is asking you to become. Explore the journey: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/devi ✹ Start here: watch the FREE "7-Minute Dance Practice Ritual" https://www.lamiabarbara.com/practiceritual ✹ Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamia_barbara/✹ My Website and more about me: https://www.lamiabarbara.com/ ✹ You can watch this episode on video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/m7-KUCJ3_3c