We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nadira Swanson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nadira below.

Nadira, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I started bellydance for physical therapy from a car accident that left me with a herniated L4/L5 disc as well as my head wrapped around the head rest that left me with what’s called an Environmental Illness. That means that the blood brain barrier that surrounds the brain was jostled when my neck wrapped around the head rest, which then lets in chemicals to the brain. That unlocked migraines and sensitivity to scents. As a trained dancer since the age of 6, I also lost mobility. Nothing was helping until my massage therapist suggested bellydance. I had no idea that this dance form existed locally to me, so I took a risk and took a class. I was able to utilize my extensive dance background, and figure the muscle movement needed for each movement, and was able to strengthen my core as well as learn a beautiful dance. That started my over 20 year career in Middle Eastern dance, and has brought so many experiences and opportunities that would not have been available had I not taken a risk and taken that first class. I am currently a working professional dancer and instructor, have traveled the world performing and instructing, have multiple DVDs, awards, and am continuing to grow and share this dance and joy with others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I began my journey as a performer at the early age of six, studying many forms of dance from classical ballet to hip hop to jazz. In late 1999, I was introduced to Middle Eastern dance after a car accident I thought ended my dance career. Utilizing this new medium of dance as a form of physical therapy, I was able to incorporate my broad dance and musical background with new technical moves, any my unique style emerged. Through this journey, I’ve been blessed to travel to teach, perform and learn about not only Middle Eastern dance, but the culture. Learning about and respecting the culture is a big part of this dance, and is one of the reasons I obtained my degree from the University of Washington in communications and culture.

Being a trained dancer, and dealing with injuries, I needed to understand not just the move but how the movements were created. In figuring each out, I was able to layer movements and dance smarter. Everything from body alignment to balance to the moves themselves were so different from any other kind of dance I have experienced. I had figured out how to protect & strengthen my core through dance.

What I love most about this dance is there is something for everyone. Whether you choose to perform or not, dance on stage, in restaurants or not perform in public at all, there is a place for all. This dance celebrates every body type, age, expression, style. Almost every other form of dance requires you to fit a specific criteria. In bellydance, every dancer is celebrated in their uniqueness and expression.

Bellydance allows us to grow and evolve. As a performer, it is the greatest feeling to be a positive part of someone’s event and seeing the joy on their faces. As an instructor, it is amazing to be able to bring dancers to the next level. To show them things they might not have thought of and to see the moment of realization when the dancer “gets” a move. I create a safe space for dancers to learn and find their joy. I’m constantly excited about taking the next step as a bellydancer, as a performer, as an instructor. You never know who you can help or what you can learn.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Answering the question why do I dance. Originally this dance was solely for physical therapy. What it has blossomed into is I’ve grown as a person, gotten to know myself as a woman and an entertainer. It’s very empowering! Dance is so deep in my heart. Every time I dance, it’s my wish to give my dance as a gift to those who watch. Coming from the world of jazz, ballet and hip-hop, there is something different about belly dance. There is more emotion and a unique opportunity for expression, and give and take. You give the audience your energy, and they take it and give back. When adding live music to the mix, there is a beautiful symbiotic energy of musician, dance, audience that’s unlike anything I’ve experienced. The same resides in the classroom between teacher and student of getting to learn how our bodies can move and connect to the music and ourselves.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Having my child, who is now five. It was a six year infertility journey that took everything we had emotionally and physically. He is my rainbow baby, and I wouldn’t change a thing as he is a true gift. How this caused a pivot in career/life is not solely being a new mom and finding balance between dance and baby, but post birth having extreme postpartum anxiety. I had never allowed myself to prepare for motherhood during the infertility journey as there was no assurance of being able to have a baby. Luckily I have a support network, but it has been a struggle to find the sparkle again.

It has been a journey to get to know the new me as a mother, and find balance of family and dance. I’ve learned to give myself grace and celebrate the little wins. During the pandemic I wrote a children’s book to help explain to my son what was happening, which brought out a new creative outlet I didn’t know existed. In dance, we brought all classes online during that time. Currently I have both in person and online classes, and it’s been great to be able to connect with dancers who are in different states and countries.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nadira.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiraseattle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadiraSeattle/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadira-productions-9465125/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NadiraSeattle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NadiraSeattle
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nadira-seattle-2

Image Credits
Boojox.Photography Summer Wang