DID YOU TAKE ANY DANCE CLASSES OR PLAY SPORTS IN SCHOOL?
I was raised in the very forward thinking, holistic-minded environment of Ojai, a
small town in California. I even went to an alternative school where classes in Yoga and
dance were on the daily schedule and served as our “sports” along with outdoor classes
like gardening. Ojai is a quaint and idyllic town, nestled in a beautiful valley, surrounded
by gorgeous mountains filled with waterfalls and streams. Growing up there with lots of
strong women around me allowed me to have lots of dance mamas who gave my dance
journey (begun at age 4) an unlimited supply of nurturing and mentoring.
YOU WERE SIX YEARS OLD WHEN WE WENT ACROSS THE U.S.
TOGETHER. DO YOU REMEMBER?
That was my first road trip across the U.S.! I was able to observe two very strong women
on the run. My mama was avoiding a stalker and you were leaving a bad relationship. I
have so many memories of the two of you standing in the face of all kinds of adversity,
Ansuya, at age 4
insisting that we would make it from California to New Orleans, traveling in an old non-
air-conditioned van pulling a 12 foot (also non-air-conditioned) trailer in the dead of summer. Texas was a blazing furnace
of unrelenting heat. When we arrived in New Orleans you only had $40 between you. But, we had outrun the issues and
made a point. I can’t wait to read your book which will bring to light all of the astonishing details and hair-raising perils of
that amazing adventure! I should have known from that trip what my life on the road would be like - INTENSE!
WOULD YOU SAY THE SUPERSTARS EXPERIENCE WAS THE MAJOR CHALLENGE OF YOUR CAREER
SO FAR?
BDSS was a challenge for sure. As was my own
independent touring. Blending Bellydance with travel
is always a major challenge for me.
ARE YOU GLAD YOU WENT ON TOUR?
YES! When I was about 18, my mama and I
moved to Hollywood. A rip-roaring, roller coaster ride
of bright shining star-lit moments, contrasted with
dark and tumultuous times. I spent 8 years pounding
the pavement in L.A. getting great contracts at top
Arabic clubs that featured live music, performing
at countless Middle Eastern parties for celebrities,
and appearing on TV as both a Bellydancer and an
actress. Then, I got picked up to be a Bellydance
Superstar! I toured with BDSS, and on my own
independent tours, for about 20 years. During that
time, I experienced tons of guts and glory, but it also
got good and gory. Ha! Tough working conditions
brought me to a state of over-exhaustion, injury, and
even anxiety. Diving deep into this fire of contrast
and conflict is what caused me to reemerge into a
more goddess-like Bellydance lifestyle. That’s when
I created Ansuya.com, the first online, membership
based website for Bellydance classes. I was excited
to share all I had learned from such a wide range