of experiences. Going beyond the plentitude of videos I
posted offering technique, I also included tons of videos
ranging from creating sacred space, to personal care and
adornment, to finding one’s way into their own Bellydance
style, and even self-owned businesses - all centered around
empowerment and independence. So, I have BDSS to
thank for pushing me to make these inner discoveries and
create these offerings. But even with my site, I was still
traveling a lot on my independent tours and running a
Bellydance studio at the same time. So the stress of over-
commitment that I had habituated into my system for a
few decades was still with me. That’s when I found Yoga
Lab, a beautiful reminder to breathe! And, an opportunity
to become Yoga certified. I felt newly grounded in my main
point about a self-empowered goddess lifestyle, and my
mission to empower others to tune into their true nature
and express it!
WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR WORKING
CONDITIONS
REQUESTS
WERE
NOT
RESPONDED TO ON BDSS TOURS?
When life is full of financial prosperity it is far easier
to grant yourself the space and time to glorify a healthy
approach to growth. When the economy is rough and
your industry is straining for funds, it is more convenient
to glorify concepts like “no pain no gain” so that you
can motivate yourself to strive in order to feel like you
are quelling the fear of falling short. During the time of
BDSS, our Bellydance industry was feeling the effects
of a booming economy and a surge of Middle Eastern
Dance popularity in the U.S., much like in the 1960s
and 70s, even reaching into mainstream Hollywood once
again. However, despite this pump-up of interest and
opportunities, the numbers still did not equal enough. I
think the BDSS producers could only work with what they
had, and that did not include healthy working conditions
for the dancers. As my own producer, I have often required
of myself the same level of suffering in order to meet
financial and professional goals I set for myself ! Over time
though, I realized that BDSS and my own independent
business could be designed differently, beginning with
healthy intentions.
ARE YOU IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF THE
DANCERS FROM THE TOUR?
Though we all have our independent lives now,
whenever I run into a BDSS dancer or producer it’s an
immediate feeling of family - no matter what the drama
may be in our history. We always fall into hugs and laughter
and mayhem and share an understanding of having been
through something wild and unique together.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE ON A SET IN
HOLLYWOOD?
Also highly charged! I worked as an extra on hundreds
of sets for the eight years I was in Hollywood and have
such great memories! Very tough working conditions as
well, so there could be a lot of stress. But one of my favorite
moments was when I was hired to act on Judging Amy. My
scene was with Tyne Daly. I met her at 5am in the make-
up trailer. She greeted me with a seasoned restraint and
palpable high level of expectation. It’s funny to me how
I remember that as bringing me comfort on that nervous
day. For many, her intimidating nature may have knocked
them over. For me, she reminded me of my mother bears.
Her call to hit a high standard was very familiar to me.
I knew the protocol and got to work. It was ecstasy to
have a mark set so high, go into a committed state, and
hit the center of the target. It’s those kinds of memories,
along with screaming audiences, that sometimes lure
me back into over-commitment. I’m often at my best
when surmounting the impossible, making it through
tremendous suffering, and being a hero in the moment
of creating art under duress. But I have learned just how
high the cost is for such behavior. Now I am attempting
to bring myself growth - and achieve the same high - on a
more nurturing path.
WHAT’S A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF ANSUYA LIKE?
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS?
My days are still busy but I’m working on balance!
Of course, I teach live online, shoot and edit pre-recorded
classes for Ansuya.com, teach some local classes, and
perform Saturday nights at a Lebanese Bistro here in
Naples so my dance life is chock full. Plus, my family,
including my three cats, keep me smiling, laughing,
cuddling, and up to lots and lots of domestic tasks. But I
am surrounded by people, at home and at my Yoga studio,
who match many of the principals that I grew up with
and are a constant reminder to me to keep breathing into
that perfect balance. The dreams formed in my childhood
in Ojai remain the same and many of those dreams have
actually been realized. Others will be realized along the
happy path I am now traveling.
January 2019
The Belly Dance Chronicles
15