Meet the dancers

Meet the tribe
(a little something from each dancer)

Helen M

Anna

Deana

Irene

'ATS enriched my world right from the very start. The music enters and becomes part of me and the dance is an outlet for expressing my emotions and creativity. It can be exciting, challenging, stimulating, sensual and meditative. But it's also about the sheer joy of dancing and hanging out with my tribal sisters. My husband, Chris says that it's wonderful to see how we all love and support each other so it's not just my imagination! Sharing the tribal energy with an audience is a priviledge and the costumes, jewellery and general self adornment are not bad either! '

Sarah

Sarah has been a professional bellydancer for 6 years now performing at weddings and restaurants and has been dancing tribal style for 4 years, she has always loved dancing and the joy it brings to both herself and others. She has used this wonderful dance form to keep fit throughout the pregnancies and the births of her two beautiful daughters and also to regain her fitness postnatally.
Sarah received her FCBD General Skills certificate in October 2008.

Christine (left)

Maxine (right)

I would never have thought that a trip to Egypt in 2001 and lessons with the hotel's belly dancer would have gone on to change my life in such a positive way. Choreographed dance was never really for me and that is why I find our ATS performances so exciting. I love the unpredictability of never knowing exactly what moves we are going to perform, this ultimately brings together a connection and bonding between the dancers which we hope is also felt by our audiences. I have a tendency to be my own worst critic when occasionally things go a little astray and it is then that I truly appreciate the support and encouragement from my wonderful Tribal Unity sisters!..

Music and dance have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have used dance as a way to express myself since I was a small child exploring various different styles. 7 years ago I started dancing ATS and have been teaching
for 3 1/2 years. I spent 2006-2009 dancing with the Tribe of Kismet and been fortunate to dance and teach at many wonderful events including Belly Dance Superstars events such as Tribalondon and Raqs Britannia. I became a FatChance Bellydance qualified instructor in 2008 and had the honour at that time of becoming the first Sister Studio in the UK. I am pleased to say that there are now many more wonderful Sister Studios here :)

Says for her there's nothing more joyful and uplifting to the spirits than to unleash her "inner child" by diving into her tribal "dressing-up box" and going out to play (dance) with all the Tribal Lovelies - fun and mischief unlimited!!

Note from Deana: I am very pleased to say that both Maxine and Christine
are now certified FatChance teachers and have their own Sister Studio
‘Akula Tribal Bellydance’ - please see our links page.

I have danced cabaret style belly dance and circle dance in the past and have been learning ATS for a few years now. When I first discovered ATS I was instantly hooked, its amazing the way it connects you with your fellow dancers. I like the fact it is improvised and that one piece of music creates a hundred different dances depending who’s leading and what mood they’re in. I love being with my tribal sisters, there are no issues about size, age or experience. We are all here to dance, have fun and share life experiences together.!!!! It’s also a great opportunity to dress up and make lots of noise ul ul ul ul ul ul!!!

I come from a strong performance background-singing and acting, I never did much dancing though as I always felt I didn't have the typical physique of a dancer. I fell in love with ATS and I have never felt more confident about my curves and jiggly bits as in ATS they are an asset! I have made so many friends with truly beautiful women, I feel privileged every time I dance with them. I have also discovered a playful spirit and I laugh so much more these days. I look forward to becoming FatChance certified and teaching, in order to bring the spirit of the dance to many more women.

Lisa

I first got involved with Bellydance about 3 years ago when I agreed to go along to a class with someone who didn't want to go on her own. One ATS class and I was hooked. What I love most about American Tribal Style is the freedom it gives you to dance with anyone who knows the format. It doesn't matter if you've never met before. You can just put some music on and dance together.

I love the energy I get from dancing with my fellow troupe members and the excitement of never knowing what is coming next. I have met some wonderful friends via ATS and am looking forward to lots more dancing with them.

I started attending a cabaret Belly dance class nearly 2 years ago, the ATS class was being held after. I watched a tribal performance and was completely taken in by the dance, the music, the whole atmosphere! I started attending ATS classes after that and began making my own outfits and accessories - I was hooked. The music and the dance take you over because the dance has no choreography, it change each time you dance. I find it frees you and allows the music to take you to a place that feels good.

It’s also great to have an excuse to dress up each week for classes and also performances. You get to wear fantastic costumes with swirling skirts and amazing jewellery – like being a child again with a fancy dress box!

"The first time I saw an ATS performance was at the Leigh Folk Festival in 2008. Seeing the beautiful dancers, their unity, confidence, the colourful costumes and the amazing music got me instantly hooked. I joined a class the week after and those amazing dancers have now become my family in the UK.
The Dance being improvised, there is a true sense of trust and connection between us when we dance that I have never experienced in any other dance I have tried.
Dancing ATS taught me a lot about myself and really boosted my confidence and body image. It really has become an important part of my life and has seen me through many happy and difficult times.
I feel blessed to be part of Tribal Unity and I really am looking forward to spending many more years with my lovely Tribal Unity family... "

I’d been bellydancing for 6 years and teaching for 2 years when Deana came into my life in June 2009. Since losing my Dad in Sept 2008, I’d lost my ‘spark’ but Tribal Unity re ignited it.
Always the practical tomboy, I’ve since discovered my true feminine self and love how the music and dancing make me feel. Earthy and grounded, the energy of the dance has uplifted me in the toughest times.
The ATS moves are exquisite, soulful and empowering while the love and support of my tribal sisters has given me a new family in which to learn and grow and be myself.

I must admit it was the fantastic costumes of the tribal bellydancers at the 2008 Leigh folk festival that got me hooked! There women looked amazing and when they danced, I was truly mesmerised. Unbelievably one year later I was dancing with them at Leigh.

I’ve always loved dancing but have never really got on with the “formal choreography” that comes with most dance styles. With ATS not only is there no set routine but it can be adapted to fit so many different styles of music too. One minute you could be dancing to Hungarian throat music, the next “I feel love” by Donna Summer. I love that! Something for everybody.

What really summed it up for me recently was a lady approached us after we’d finished dancing at the Beltane Bash in London. She told us she had been going through a real rough patch in her life and had lost all her confidence and self esteem but watching us dance gave her a real boost. The fact that we are from different walks of life, are all different ages, shapes and sizes had a real positive effect on her. Her words really moved me and encapsulated what Tribal Unity is all about.

It’s also really good fun!