The Divine Unrest: My Stories and Personal Views on Belly Dance - Paperback

by Leyla Najma (Author)

One Saturday morning at the age of 6 in 1969, Leyla's life would change forever when she saw Belly Dancers performing on TV. With eyes glued to the screen, cereal coming out of her mouth she gazed longingly as each dancer wove her magical spell. Dreaming of the day she'd be twirling in a beautiful costume dancing to the envy of all her friends, mom told her good Catholic girls don't Belly Dance. But Belly Dancing had chosen Leyla and she knew for sure that one day she'd be the one dancing on stage and in front of big crowds. Starting with Leyla's impassioned years and her debut to a standing room only crowd in Taos, to dancing for the Gypsy Kings, The Divine Unrest is a provocative, insightful, lyrical narrative of Leyla's 26+ year Belly Dance journey chronicling rejection, frustration, determination and triumph. About Belly Dancer Leyla Najma Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. Leyla Najma has been Belly Dancing for over 26 years. Her initial studies began in Egypt as well as traveled, taught and performed in Europe and throughout the United States. She has written extensively for the Belly Dance Chronicles magazine and is now a full time staff writer for Jareeda Belly Dance Magazine. Leyla still lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she continues to teach private classes. Leyla regularly blogs at http: //leyla-najma.net and provides online Belly Dance classes for dancers who can't find a teacher, or studio, or who prefer to learn from home at http: //bellydancevillage.com

Author Biography

Leyla Najma is a Middle Eastern dancer, trained in Egypt, who has been performing for 28 years. Leyla's belly dance career has taken her abroad to Switzerland, France and Italy and through out the United States. In the best traditions of Egyptian Cabaret style dancing, Leyla blends contemporary themes, rhythms and music and draws upon her years of experience to entertain audiences. Leyla has been teaching belly dance for over 25 years and has over 30 instructional DVDs available on-line or hard copy. Leyla is an accomplished choreographer who has had the honor of working with the notable New Mexico Sparx sisters. Leyla performed for her favorite band "The Gypsy Kings" as well as for dignitaries from Jordan, Egypt, Iran and Iraq and for members of the Saudi royal family. Leyla's greatest production accomplishments were her collaborations with Rozana Al Jinan in producing the life and times of Cleopatra in a dance-play called "Cleopatra's Court" and "The Pearl Fantasy". Cleopatra's Court play was performed with the drama students from Cibola High School at the Joan Kent Theater. The Pearl Fantasy play was performed at The Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Leyla developed her curriculum, Hip Phylososphy in 2002 which simplifies belly dance into an easy to understand format. Leyla specializes in restaurant, night club and theater performing and works with students of all levels within these genre. Leyla is a published writer for notable Belly Dance magazines such as The Belly Dance Chronicles, Zaghareet and Jareeda.