Why Privacy and Honesty Matter in the Belly Dance World

The Quiet Power of Women’s Circles

February 2026 opens a new podcast season for us at Belly Dance Stories. We are back from our travels in Egypt — a transformative and beautiful trip — and we have fire fueling our drive to bring you monthly updates and meaningful conversations about how we gather, speak, and protect one another as women and artists.

This first episode is about values, what we took away from our experiences in Egypt from immersive traditional dance performance to hijab-friendly-no-cellphone-zone ladies parties. It’s a conversation rooted in privacy, honesty, and the quiet power that emerges when women choose to speak truthfully—within the safety of a trusted circle.

The Circle as a Sacred Container

In belly dance, the circle has always been an important symbol. In terms of movements, it’s an essential shape we learn to make with our bodies. In regards to community events or stage performances, we gather in circles in the dressings rooms, studio spaces, to chat, catch-up, rehearse together, and more.

In our conversation, we ask questions like:

“What does it mean for women to gather and dance without an ‘audience?’”

“How does that impact the relationship with have with belly dance as well as with each other?”

Privacy allows honesty to exist. It gives dancers permission to share doubts, ambitions, exhaustion, and desire without fear of being misunderstood or consumed by the public eye.

The circle is about care, attention and respect. It is a boundary that protects creativity, emotional labor, and personal evolution for one another.

“A ladies-only party where there was no phones allowed, and no video and no recording was beautiful and perfect, and exactly what more people need in this life.” - Alexandra

“Shani said that she loved it, that when we were in this ladies’ party, she was dancing with all of them…. [And while] we can’t communicate, there’s a huge language barrier, right? But somehow, energetically, we were, like, really vibing, right, with our bodies, the movement, the dancing…” - Valerick

Honesty Without Performance

As professional dancers, directors, and mentors, we are often expected to lead with confidence and clarity. But behind the scenes, the work is layered and very human.

Our conversation dives into the importance of honesty that is not performative— honesty that exists outside and away from social media, from the culture of constantly broadcasting for validation. Power that is not loud, but impactful.

There is a particular kind of power that lives in women’s circles. It is not dominating. It doesn’t seek approval. It is steady, observant, and deeply embodied.

In our belly dance culture, to be successful is often misunderstood as visibility or virtuosity, yet we challenge that idea and shift the conversation where success means community. Empowerment for ourselves and each other means discernment, pacing, and choice —knowing when to share and when to keep something sacred.

This form of presence allows dancers to grow without being rushed or exposed too soon.

“The value of those quieter moments in life… is… beyond impactful. For anyone, not just belly dancers.” - Alexandra

The Responsibility of Community Leaders

As mentors and community leaders, we reflect on the responsibility that comes with holding space for others and honoring the roots of the artform. Creating safe circles through dance labs, classes, performances, or podcasts means tending to the emotional safety as much as the roots.

In all areas, Belly Dance Stories strives to pay tribute to the history as well as today’s culture, whether in the classroom, on the stage, or at Shimmy Socials.

What’s next?

This podcast season will unfold through monthly conversations of reflection on recent events, creative processes, and what lies ahead for Belly Dance Stories. These episodes are not instructional; they are relational.

They are meant for dancers and artists who value depth, sustainability, and community over constant exposure.

We invite you to listen not as an audience, but as someone sitting just inside the circle—witnessing, learning, and remembering the quiet power that has always lived there.

We invite you to share with us your experiences in these settings, or what you look forward to if you’re new to the experiences.

Thank you for reading and/or listening!