Meet Yasmina   

Yasmina is a performer, instructor and hosted  “The Joy of Belly Dancing” TV show on Public Access TV in Arizona.  

She has been teaching for the City of Mesa since 1989 and has just started teaching classes at the Mesa Art Center. Yasmina performs many styles of Middle Eastern Dance and incorporates the use of many props, such as: sword, jug, canes, tray of candles, basket, fan veil, Voi and snakes.  Her classes run all year round and consist of beginning and intermediate cabaret, beginning and intermediate tribal style classes.  Check out the Mesa Art Center website for class information and schedule of on-going and special performances of Yasmina.

Her teaching style is of the same philosophy as her dance. She does not want her students to be carbon copies of her, but to learn all aspects of the dance. She teaches both the old and new styles of dance and is continually updating her skills to pass along to her students. She attends dance workshops, seminars and dance contests both in State and out of State to keep abreast of what is happening in the dance world. Yasmina also teaches workshops, in and out of state, with her Veil and Fan Veil class being the most requested.  At Wiggles of the West Las Vegas she taught an Tribal Indian Fusion workshop in 2009 and will be teaching a Fan Veil workshop in 2010.  She has sponsored out of State artists in workshops that were both in dance and Middle Eastern Music.  She was on the editorial staff of Wiggle Hips a belly dance magazine published by Janie and Chris the Two Old Bags which ceased publication in 2004.  Yasmina was featured on the cover of Wiggles Hips in the June/July issue of 1999.  In July of 2004 Yasmina took 2nd place and in 2006 she took 3rd place in the Headliner category at the Wiggle of the West competition.

Yasmina started her TV show along with her husband and family back in January 1990.  After 13 years of producing the show the City of Mesa decided to no longer support Public Access TV and our show has come to an end in Oct. 2003.   The show was well received by the dance community and general public. The reason for producing the TV show was to show the public what belly dancing is all about and to dismiss the misconceptions of the dance. The Joy of Belly Dancing show was one of the longest Public Access TV shows in the Valley of the Sun.  From the production of the TV show, Seven Veils Productions has branched out and produced five professional dance videos for the market. The first video, “Yasmina, an  American Belly Dance” is a 30 minute performance  tape of seven different dance routines.  The next series of  videos are, “A Night in the Desert I, II & III”.  These videos are also  performance videos.  These videos were live performance shows highlighting dancers from  Arizona. Night in the Desert I & II include eight different dancers performing with a live Greek Band.  Night in the Desert III include seven different dancers performing with a live Arabic Band.  The  fifth video, "Yasmina Live!", is a collection of highlights from the TV show, The Joy of Belly Dancing. All performances include live music from artists such as: Doug Adams, David Korup, Sirocco, Billy Woods and many more.

Yasmina founded Troupe Baladi, a three member dance troupe in January 1994. The performance styles of the troupe were Tribal Fusion, Ethnic and flashy Cabaret. In 1996, Troupe Baladi took 3rd Place in the Wiggles of the West dance competition.  Ambera and Yasmina represented Troupe Baladi at the Wiggles of the West dance competition July 2001.  The troupe took 2nd place in the Mini Ensemble category.  The troupe members have gone their separate ways with new interests in their lives.  

Yasmina left the corp. world and went into belly dancing full time.  Along with Malikah they started Shimmy Bliss Costuming Co. in Feb. 2004 and started creating and importing exquisite belly dance costumes.  Malikah went to pursue her graphics design and photography business in May 2004 and Yasmina took the business on full time.  With the change in ownership Yasmina has taken Shimmy Bliss in a new direction concentrating on the needs of the American Tribal Dancer. 

In 2007 Yasmina found another creative outlet, crafting especially card making.  Yasmina now makes and sells belly dance cards and teaches classes and workshops in card making and crafts.  Check out dates of up coming craft/card classes and workshops.  To custom order belly dance cards contact Yasmina.

Schedule of performances and events (on-going and special)

Sat., March 6, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching traveling combinations mini workshop from 10 - 11:30 a.m. and Voi from noon - 1:00 in her home studio - more info

Tues., March 9, 2010 - Yasmina's Mesa Art Center classes recital 7:00 - 9:00 (Mesa Art Center, Drama Room, 2nd floor, 1 N. Center, Mesa, AZ 85201) - contact Yasmina for more info, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com

Sat., March 27, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching a taqsim workshop from 10 - 11:30 (Women's Club of Mesa, 200 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201)- more info 

Sat., March 27, 2010 - Yasmina and some of her students will be guest dancers at Maui Wowi hosted by Egyptian Cartouche - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - (3722 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018, (602) 840-3444) - for more info 

Tues., Wed., Thursday March 30th, 31st & April 1st - Yasmina's Mesa Art Center classes start - more info

Sat., April 3, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching shimmies mini workshop from 10 - 11:30 a.m. and floor work from noon - 1:00 in her home studio - more info

Sat., April 10, 2010 - Phoenix’s First Ladies of Bellydance featuring Alexia, Helena, Jazmine, Morgiana, Yasmina - 7:00 pm (La Mirage Restaurant, 2734 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix) more info

Sat., April 17, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching "Ali" tribal fusion dance from 10 - noon in her home studio - more info  

Sun., April 18, 2010 - Yasmina and her students will be performing at the County Fair - 11:00 - noon, Community Stage (AZ State Fair Grounds, 1826 W. McDowell, Phx., AZ) - contact Yasmina for more info, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com

Sat., April 24, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching a new combination workshop from 12:15 - 1:45 in Cottonwood and performing in the evening show (Five Bs & Rock Cafe Oasis, 206. S. Main ST. Cottonwood, AZ) - contact Carrie Konyha for more info

Sat., May 1, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching Zills along with a routine mini workshop from 10 - 11:30 a.m. and Drum (learning the rhythms we dance to) from noon - 1:00 in her home studio - more info

Sat., May 15, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching Fusion Skirt (Flamenco flavored dance) from 10 - noon in her home studio - more info  

Wed., May 19, 2010 - Yasmina's Mesa Art Center classes recital 7:00 - 9:00 (Mesa Art Center, Drama Room, 2nd floor, 1 N. Center, Mesa, AZ 85201) - contact Yasmina for more info, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com 

Tues., Wed., Thursday June 1st, 2nd & 3rd - Yasmina's Mesa Art Center classes start - more info

Sat., June 5, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching Upper Body mini workshop from 10 - 11:30 a.m. and Drum (learning the rhythms we dance to) from noon - 1:00 in her home studio - more info

Sat., June 26, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching a Tribal Asian Fusion workshop 10 - 11:30 (Women's Club of Mesa, 200 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201) - contact Yasmina for more info, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com

Sat., July 3, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching Arms: what to do with them mini workshop from 10 - 11:30 a.m. and Drum (learning the rhythms we dance to) from noon - 1:00 in her home studio - more info

Tues., July 13th, 2010 - Yasmina's Mesa Art Center classes recital 7:00 - 9:00 (Mesa Art Center, Drama Room, 2nd floor, 1 N. Center, Mesa, AZ 85201) - contact Yasmina for more info, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com.

Fri., July 23, 2010 - Yasmina will be teaching a Fan Veil workshop at Wiggles of the West 8:30 - 10:30 (Wiggles of the West, Sam's Town, Las Vegas, NV) - more info

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Non Dance Related Workshops

If you like to craft as much as I do I hold monthly card/crafts in my home studio plus I will be teaching monthly classes at the Mesa Art Center. 
If you would like to take one of the workshops please contact me, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com or 480/962-6303

Home Studio Workshops 

March 13th - Mini Albums

April 10th - More new techniques in paper crafting

May 8th - Recycling projects - we will be using CDs, plastic bags, buttons and more

Workshops are held at Yasmina's place in downtown Mesa.  
Please call and reserve your spot since space is limited - 480/962-6303.  
Workshops are 3 hours in length from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Workshop fee is $20 (bring scissors and glue I supply everything else)

Check out my blog to see what we have made in the past.

Mesa Art Center Classes

Technique Class II
Mar 29, 2010 
Learn some new techniques to enhance greeting cards, scrapbooks, Artist Trading Cards, etc.
Six techniques will be taught in this class. Techniques covered will be: Split Negative, Spotlight, Clouds, Embossed Foil, Polish Stone, and Crayon Resist. We will create greeting cards from all the techniques. 
Supply cost is $5.
CAW10GAW003-02 M Mar 29 6-9pm $21

Mini Albums
May 3, 2010 
In this class, we will be creating three mini albums to show off your photos in a fun and unique way.
To create your unique albums we will be using empty paper towel rolls, small die cut envelopes & tags and envelopes.
You will also learn some techniques to create the backgrounds for your mini albums. You can bring your photos to class, if you would like.
Supply cost is $5.
CAW10GAW001-02 M May 3 6-9pm $21

register by calling the Mesa Art Center box office, (480)644-6500, or drop off your registration at the Art Studios at the Mesa Arts Center lobby.
late registration call (480)644-6500
brochures are at the Mesa Art Center or visit the Mesa Arts Center website, http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/classes/visualarts.

Check out my blog to see what we have made in the past.  Check out my new craft blog to see new projects.

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[all photos by Gina Cinardo]

powered by FreeFind       More about Yasmina Teaching & Performances Classes & Workshops Performance Schedule Students Page YouTube Videos Bio, Photos & More Photo Gallery Yasmina Bio Yasmina's Blog Costume Business Shimmy Bliss Shimmy Bliss eBay Store Spotlight Video of the Month What is Tribal Style Bellydance - a short documentary Spotlight Link What Were They Thinking belly dance costumes that make you wonder What's New DVD Review Chinese Silk Fan Fusion with Mirabai Workshops with Carrie Konyha & Yasmina  On March 27th spend a day with Carrie and Yasmina learning how to dance to Taqsim and Percussive Dance Combinations. Yes there will be shopping also with Ro & Rea & Shimmy Bliss. Updates: Articles  See-fit Body Stockings Your second skin   Designed to be worn under your costume,    in flesh, black or fishnet crystal Lycra. For more info please visit www.see-fit.com Dare to be Bare!  Learn to  Belly Dance for fun!!     with Halyma's Belly Dance Lessons on DVD Great gift idea! Available online and in Ottawa Stores now! Clean and clear instructions for the basics of belly dance for any fitness level - no previous experience needed! www.bellydancingforfun.com Halyma@bellydancingforfun.com phone: 613.241.3397 ARC Music Amira  International Emissary of Dance Highest Quality Merchandise! Check out Amira’s 5-Star Rated “Bellydance 101” Instructional DVD, and read over 60 reviews! Amira travels extensively, teaching and performing both nationally and internationally. Her students are filled with her love for dance and her mission to make a difference in women’s lives through bellydance. For bookings and info: www.amirasbelly.com  A New Belly Dance Magazine coming this summer! Subscribe here: shimmy@esedona.net Belly Dance A Raqs Sharqi Magazine 3408 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505  818-567-3105 http://www.bellydancemag.com/ Who will win in 2010? July 22-25, 2010  at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall  Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition in Las Vegas, NV!!! We have 9 fabulous categories,  24 workshops taught fabulous Instructors from all over the west,  a "Meet & Greet" Hafla Dinner Buffet and Show, and a Luncheon Buffet Show in Sam's Town Live!! .  4 fabulous days of Belly dance!!! www.wigglesofthewestlv.com Yallah Magazine Subscribe Today! www.yallahmagazine.com     8th Annual Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival Four exquisite days of non-stop belly dance activities **New this year** Think You Can Belly Dance?--Contest An entire series of classes for drummers Join Aradia, John Compton, Princess Farhanah, Fahtiem, Asharah, Moira  Chappell and over 30 other instructors Payment Plans Available Now!! September 9-12, 2010 at the FLAMINGO samira@bellydanceintensive.com 1-888-LV-RAKS-U (1-888-587-2578) www.bellydanceintensive.com Online,  Free and  International! 1000's of articles, reviews, photos, events, letters Journal of Record for Middle Eastern Music, Dance and  Belly Dance Support and participate: write, advertise, volunteer today! GildedSerpent.com   Amira's "Bellydance and Yoga for Pregnancy" DVD EMPOWERING EXERCISES FOR EXPECTING MOMS Amira brings the ancient arts of Yoga and Belly Dance together in a modern world, with a program that teaches gentle and effective techniques to help every woman on the path to one of life's most profound experiences - motherhood. For more info please visit us at: www.pregnantbellydance.com   Shimmy Bliss Costuming Co. Tribal Belly Dance Supplies We receive in new items weekly so please  Check out our websites    www.shimmybliss.com or visit us on  eBay We will be vending at Workshops with Carrie & Yasmina  March 27, 2010 Spring Fling Bellydance Extravaganza in Sedona April 24, 2010 Fusion Day June 16, 2010 Egyptian Cartouche 4th Annual Belly Dance Festival July 10, 2010 Wiggles of the West July 22nd - 25th, 2010 Would you like to see your ad here??  Check out the Ad Page for more info.