About Ayana and Desert Jewels

Ayana (meaning "beautiful flower") is a performing artist and internationally trained Belly Dance instructor and owner/principle of Desert Jewels Belly Dance Company.

Her love of dance began very early when her mother enrolled her into her first ballet class at the age of six.
She discovered her passion for belly dancing, seven years ago, while watching a live belly show. The very next week Ayana attended a day workshop and was instantly hooked. It’s been nothing but belly dancing since then...
Ayana trained under two of the best local internationally qualified Belly Dancing instructors and brings passion, and technique blended with her sensual style. She is proficient with various props:

  • Isis wings
  • Cane
  • Sword
  • Veil
  • Double veil
  • Veil poi
  • Veil fans
  • Fans
  • Shemadan
  • Sagat
  • Fire (sticks and fans)

Her lifelong love for dance, music and culture has promoted her to continuously explore and study Belly Dance and other forms of dances such as:

  • Folkloric
  • American Tribal Style
  • Tribal

She has attended workshops conducted by the following international dancers and Belly Dance Superstars:

  • Liza Laziza Cairo tips & tricks, Egyptian shabi, stage performance and classical oriental.
  • Mahmoud Reda Egyptian folklore, Saidi; Baladi and Melaya; “Sharky”, Samai and Hagala.
  • Tamalyn Dallal Technique 1, Technique 2, Drum Solo, Arab Anadalous, Art of improvisation, Star Maker.
  • Sharon KiharaTribal Fusion. Identifying and configuring the building blocks of movement, Sass into your belly dance, techniques, drills and combinations, Master class – layering techniques and shimmies.
  • Ansuya Belly Dance Superstar. Bellydance Cabaret Improvisation to fast, slow and drum solo music. Bellydance Fusion including Indian, Spanish, African, Gypsy and Tribal flavours. Bellydancing with props including Finger cymbals, Veil, Candles, Fan, Cane and Sword.
  • Medhat Fahmy Assaya (Egyptian stick), Bedouin (desert folk), Sharqi (oriental classical), Malaya (Egyptian shawl/Veil), Balady (country), Nubian (Aswan country), Shemadan (Candelabra).
  • Bozenka World renown Belly Dance Superstar. Silk Fans and Becoming Isis; All in 1 with Bozenka; Sword Dancing Master Class with Bozenka; Reaching New Heights; Drum Solo Tips for Top Dancers; Bozenka’s Art of Improvisation; Tantalizing Hip Technique.
  • Karim Nagi Drum Solo (dancer drummer communication) , Musicality for dancers, Rhythm for dancers.
  • Aziza Belly Dance superstar - Extreme Technique, Undulations, 8’s and Abdominals.
  • Danisa De Paul oriental dancer – Master class.
  • Artemis Dewald-Eberhardt - Groovy Oriental Latino
  • Nuriyya– Nostalgie - Egyptian Oriental Dance

Ayana has also attended numerous local Belly Dancing workshops:

  • Isis Wings – Aviva Dancers of the Desert
  • Sword – Aviva Dancers of the Desert
  • Veil – Aviva Dancers of the Desert
  • Poi – Craig from Inflamed

Ayana has appeared on television/radio:

  • Top Billing – SABC 3
  • On the Desi Jodi Show - DSTv Saffron
  • YFM – DJ S’bu’s live show

She has also been hired to perform at many other corporate and private functions over the years.

Student testimonials:

“I would first of all like to express what a lovely year I have had with you! I really appreciate your hard work and sincere interest in my development. I would not have progressed so much this year if it were not for you. You add a certain personal touch and unrivalled enthusiasm and positive energy to our classes. We are like one big happy community of women who talk, socialise and dance together, I absolutely love it!”
– O. Arendse.

“Thanks for believing in me - it is rubbing off :)”
- C.Moss.

The reason for this note is to take time out and personally thank you for the amazing work that you are doing. I really appreciate all your work and effort. You  are an excellent teacher and your work is outstanding. I have learnt so much from you in this past two years and I hope to carry with me forever. Thank you for always being so supportive and believing in us (your students) and for having sooo much of patience. It definitely takes a lot out of a person but you seem to do it with ease.  Thank you for all the encouragement and dedication and for standing next to us when moves became tough. Last but not least that you for being the amazing person that you are. I admire all your wonderful qualities. Please do not ever change for the world. I would have not learnt all that I had if it wasn’t for your efforts.
Raeesah.