Profession: Communication Specialist for mission-driven businesses and organizations; Edible landscaper, vegetable grower and operator of small plant nursery

Favorite Activities (outside of dance): Creative writing, gardening, hiking

Describe your dance background.

Megan performing her own choreography at a Studio Zahiya show

Throughout my life, I’ve taken dance classes wherever I happened to be living at the time. Even if I was just traveling through a town, I would drop in whatever class I could find. In fact, the first time I experienced a bellydance class—and realized how empowering the feminine style can be to women of all body shapes—was in Moab, Utah, where I stayed for only three days. The Middle Eastern dance form came back to my life during a summer in Blacksburg, VA while working at a nearby homesteading and wilderness camp for children who live in urban homeless shelters. I would return from dance class to the camp and teach the campers some of the bellydance moves I had learned. Even one of the boys joined in!

My other training includes: Ballroom and modern dance at N.C. State University in Raleigh; Latin dance while studying abroad at University of Melbourne, Australia; African, samba, modern and bellydance in New York City; and modern dance at Wilson College in rural Pennsylvania, where I worked at an organic farm. At Wilson, I performed on stage for the first time as an adult. I can’t neglect to mention my childhood influences: ballet, tap, cheerleading, and by far the most important—Janet Jackson. My fondest childhood memories are choreographing dances with friends in the backyard.

Since moving to Asheville in 2004, I’ve taken African, Afro-Cuban, Latin, modern, bhangra, classical Indian, hip-hop and choreography classes.  I thoroughly enjoyed participating in Bala! Bhangra and Bollywood troupe in 2009 & 2010. I also receive private mentoring from Lisa Zahiya, who is helping me turn my free-form eclectic style—therapeutic movement developed in the privacy of my own living room—into a dance form. With her help, I have choreographed solos in which I aim to convey messages or storylines. Our conversations about art—particularly how audiences perceive it—have influenced me in unexpected ways, even in my creative writing.

Why do you dance?

Dancing has given me what I needed at that particular time in my life. I suspect the reason I have switched between so many dance forms is because my lifestyle changed dramatically several times and, with it, my needs have changed. Dance further aided in my transformations, giving me the focus, courage and energy to try and succeed at many life goals.

In my teens, dance helped me gain confidence in myself and overcome shyness. In my twenties, it was an important tool in stress management and energy release as I undertook demanding jobs. Now in my thirties, it is a community-building tool and an artistic outlet.

In the last year, as I’ve concentrated on my creative writing as well as goal development for my two businesses, practicing dance at the beginning and middle of each day has helped boost my energy and focus my thoughts. Since I often work by myself, I rely on interaction with fellow dance students and physical exercise in the evenings to get me away from my desk and all of my thoughts. The women in class—whether they are acquaintances, close confidants, coworkers, fellow gardeners or health advisors—have deeply touched my lives. Dance must attract amazing women. Or perhaps dance makes amazing women.

Describe one of your favorite dance experiences.

The laughter of women, the clang of bangles, the claps of hands against thighs, the shuffle of feet across the floor. I notice these sounds as I warm up with the bhangra troupe prior to performing. While we circle on stage, the lively music that is uniquely bhangra rings from the speakers. The dancers’ smiles are wide, their jewelry shines, and the audience responds with laughter and claps.

The experience triggers memories of Indian wedding ceremonies I’ve attended, and I appreciate the chance to reconnect with friends who have Indian heritage through dance, even though time and distance separates us.

In my gypsy-esque troupe outfit, I think about the role costumes play throughout history. They are mechanisms for people who feel different from the mainstream to express their uniqueness without fear of reprimand. I also think about the positive energy that is released to onlookers—so key in this day and age when the world sometimes doesn’t make a lot of sense.

But mostly, while on stage, I just dance. I appreciate the activity that never fails to move me out of my head and into my body.

Has dance ever affected you profoundly?

A dance studio, if managed correctly, is much more than a place to exercise and improve technique. It’s a community center, a place to establish and deepen relationships, and a safe space to explore dreams and support each other in reaching goals. As the body reshapes, the mind follows.

Our bodies unfold from repetitive and constraining movements at the office or in the home. We let go of prescribed roles, and we are empowered to follow our heart. Points of tension and unwanted energies release. We are free.

In this way, dance has affects me profoundly every day, and has made me the person I am today. “Just be yourself” has been my motto all my life, and dancing has helped me do just that.

What is it like to dance at Studio Zahiya and/or learn from Lisa and the other dance instructors?

I approached Lisa about interviewing her dance students and composing dancer profiles because I felt so much happening in her classes beyond just simply dancing. I wanted to see if others had similar experiences.  They certainly did, as the students shared stories of how dance helped them through relationship changes, confidence issues and creative projects. Lisa’s commitment to a non-competitive atmosphere, her sense of humor and thoughtfulness, and her excellent teaching capabilities contributed to their transformations

With Lisa, dance is not just about learning steps. It’s not about looking pretty or sexy on stage (even though her students are). It’s about transformation. It’s about connecting to the audience. It’s about making change—in ourselves and in the world.

Written by Megan Riley, www.mretcetera.com

Professional Training: B.A. in Visual Art, UNC Asheville

Family: Meredith and her husband Tikkun have two children: Justine, 8, and Sophie, 3

Activities: Member of Squeaky Wheel Pottery Cooperative, where she makes ceramics

After Meredith Gottschalk gave birth to her first child, she started belly dancing.

“At the time it was the main thing I was doing to tend to my own well-being while mothering a young child with all the outpouring of physical, emotional and mental energy that entails,” she said.

A health scare also spurred Meredith to be more intentional about tuning into her body and emotions. “I thought belly dancing might be helpful with this,” she said. “I began to feel how energy runs through your body when you dance, akin to practices like Tai Chi.”

“I like the feminine essence of the dance,” Meredith said. “When I belly dance, I feel very at home in my body. I’ve found it to be a dance form that is intuitive and nurturing. I think this may be why it draws such a broad range of women of various ages and body types.”

Now her two daughters, ages 3 and 8, sometimes join her when she practices dance at home. They dress up in glitter, bindis and belts that jingle.

“When I’ve taken them out to see belly dancing, they seem entranced,” Meredith said. “It seems to affect them deeply. It’s such a beautiful and powerful dance among women and even young girls feel this.”

To the girls, the appreciation is simple: “I like the moves,” said Justine, 8.

Meredith is passing along an activity that she too has enjoyed since childhood, when she took ballet and tap classes.

“Through the years, I’ve tried all sorts of dance forms,” Meredith said. “I even met my husband contra dancing and have continued doing various partner dances from swing and zydeco to salsa and two-step.” She and her husband Tikkun make it out to Jack of the Woods on occasion on swing night.

“I enjoy how all the different dance forms have their own essence,” she said. “From the sweetness of a waltz to the high-energy fun of swing dancing.”

This past year, Meredith started dancing with Lisa Zahiya. “I appreciate the joyfulness and playfulness with which she dances and teaches,” Meredith said. “You get the sense that she just wants to share something vital and fun. She teaches not only technique in class but also the cultural history of the dance.

“Her classes are fun, welcoming and non-competitive.”

Studies: Recently graduated Owen High School; Enrolled in studio art program at Bard College, New York

Favorite Activities/Interests: Theater, dance, photography and mixed medium art

Amelia & Lisa Practicing Tutting

Dance entered Amelia D’Angelo’s life at a key time.

Like all high school students, she was learning about herself and her body, and figuring out its potential and limits. Dance helped her appreciate her figure, a task that is often so difficult for young women.

“I kind of switched from ‘Oh, I want to work out because I hate this about myself,’ to ‘I want to because I love my body, it’s the only one I have and I want to take care of it,’” Amelia said.

This revived outlook on herself impacted other aspects of her life. “I think dance is important to me as a whole person,” she said.

Inspired by her older sister who graduated college with majors in dance and gender studies, Amelia decided to take dance to a new level. “I was interested in seeing what my body could do,” she said.

While Amelia had taken ballet and tap classes when she was a child, she became serious about the art form when she joined the dance program at Owen High School. She learned about modern technique, jazz, hip hop and choreography.

That’s when Lisa Zahiya entered her life.

“The first time I met Lisa, she led a small workshop at my school,” Amelia said. “Everyone had a lot of fun working with her and we learned a lot. She definitely had command of the group, but the atmosphere was still relaxed and fun.”

Some of the student choreographers incorporated the hip-hop movements that Lisa taught into their pieces.

The experience inspired Amelia to choreograph a fusion dance for her final graduation project, using two of Lisa’s specialties, hip hop and belly dance. She asked Lisa to be her mentor.

“She knows a lot about hip hop and belly dance,” Amelia said. “Those dance styles have never been something I’ve delved into.”

The mentorship included at least one private class each month coupled with beginner group classes. After a few months, Amelia saw a big improvement in her dance. She captured what she learned in a video for her final project.

“Since I don’t come from the culture of those two dance styles, it’s easy to feel awkward,” Amelia said. “Lisa has a way of making it fun and telling you specifically what to do with your body. She’s really good at exactly explaining movements.”

Amelia realized how her body will respond if she pushes herself. “I learned what I can really do if somebody is helping me.”

Written by Megan Riley, www.mretcetera.com

Profession: Consultant for an international family therapy program

Family: Kim lives in upstate New York with her boyfriend Bubba and his children Dustin, 10, and Whitney, 17.

Activities: Teaches Body Pump aerobics and belly dance classes.

Kim Dancing with a Veil

Through the ups and downs of life, Kim O’Malley has relied on dance to lift her spirits. Now she shares the activity with others so they too can experience its benefits.

“My mission ultimately is to recreate that sisterhood that you have in elementary school when we had clubhouses and secret handshakes,” Kim said. “I want to create a sacred time for women so we can giggle and move our bodies and remind ourselves how magical we are.”

She is building interest in belly dance in upstate New York, where she moved in May. In the past, she has led classes for friends and neighbors, as well as belly dance workshops for an association for women who have suffered from domestic violence.

“I’m looking to introduce belly dance as a healing art,” Kim said. She sees it as a powerful catalyst for women, particularly those with eating disorders, to take ownership over their bodies.

To improve her instructing abilities, Kim has taken lessons from Lisa Zahiya for two years. Kim would drive seven hours from her previous residence in New Bern, N.C. for intensive workshops with Lisa and co-leader Ava Fleming. Then Kim entered a distance-learning program with Lisa. Kim sends videos to Lisa to critique, and Lisa returns comments and homework.

Kim’s development as a dancer in those two years went way beyond simply building her movement vocabulary. She noticed improvements in her posture, articulation of movements, proper use of breath and control of energy.

“I see changes in my body carriage and my ability to move in a more elegant way,” Kim said. “I’m a more polished dancer now. I recommend her to anyone interested in taking their dancing abilities to the next level.”

Plus, she just thoroughly enjoys Lisa’s company.

“I call Lisa ‘my Mentos,’” Kim said. “She’s sweet and refreshing at the same time.”

At some moments, Lisa was Kim’s “life coach” as much as she was a dance coach. “I went through a divorce at the same time I was working with her,” Kim said. “Dance helped me identify areas of my life that didn’t nurture me. I figured out how to honor myself and create sacred space for myself through that transition. I found my voice as a woman and my persona as a dancer.”

Dance continues to be nurturing for Kim, especially since she is frequently away from home and dealing with delayed plane flights. Her job requires frequent travel, so her practice space is often a hotel room. “It’s great to have something to focus on,” she said. “Otherwise I’d be watching reruns of Law and Order.”

Kim also incorporates dance into her life as a mother figure to her boyfriend’s children, one of whom now knows how to roll quarters down his stomach thanks to one of Kim’s belly dance videos.

“The patience learned in dance has helped me be a better ‘stepmom’ too.”

Written by Megan Riley, www.mretcetera.com