Mexican Amar brings belly dancing to Secunda

SECUNDA – Originating from Mexico City and performing in numerous shows and festivals throughout the world, Ms Amar Lammar has now settled in Secunda and is teaching her talents and skills at belly dancing to dance enthusiasts and fitness fanatics.

She had spent 12 years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and had adapted belly dancing styles throughout the Arabic countries.

“It is funny, the first things people ask me is how I ended up here,” said a laughing Ms Lammar.

She met her now-husband who originates from South Africa, at the Dubai airport.

The pair’s love blossomed from emailing back and forth, to long-distance dating and finally getting married in 2016.

She began dancing at the age of six and took on belly dancing at the age of 12 years.

At the age of 20 years, she had seen her first contract outside Mexico to India.

“My family always supports me.

“When I began working permanently in the UAE, I only saw my family once a year.

“Although they got used to this, my mother always had this thought that I would one day go back and settle down in Mexico,” said Ms Lammar.

Ms Lammar is the youngest of six siblings and hopes her family will visit South Africa once Covid subsides.

“Belly dancing for me, in the beginning, was the unknown. It is unique and glamorous.

As the era of belly dancing began evolving and musician Shakira made the dance even more popular, Ms Lammar began teaching the art of belly dancing.

Once her talent was spotted, she went from one contract to another and performed in many countries.

For now, she brings her love of belly dancing to locals and loves teaching the other cultures of belly dancing she had adapted over her years of performing abroad.

“I am now teaching full time and love it. Belly dancing is for everyone.”

“People of all ages and sizes can enjoy this form of dance.”

She said it is also a friendly and fun form of exercising.

“Belly dancing is a nice way to keep active, it is beautiful and a feminine way to keep fit.”

She aims to see local talents perform abroad.

“I am grateful for the experiences I have had and would like to see our local dancers achieve the same.”

She also spoke of all the different forms of culture costumes, dance styles, art and traditions that Arabic dance has to offer.

Although there are many forms of belly dancing, Ms Lammar has mastered the styles in Saidi- cane dance, Raks Saif – sword dance, Raks Shamadan – candelabra dance and the Khaleeji dance – from the Persian Gulf.

“Belly dancing is beauty, art and history and has put me in contact with many other cultures that are different from mine,” said Ms Lammar.

Ms Lammar has now opened Harakat Oriental Dance Studio at the Lifestyle Centre in Ext22. Her classes run in the morning and evenings from Monday to Thursday.

Classes offered are Basic 1, Basic 2, BellyKIDS, BellyFit (Cardio fun), and professional belly dance coaching and private dance lessons.

There are also online classes available.

While teaching the art of belly dancing, also helps to create positive body awareness.

It is a low-middle impact form of exercise which helps tone one’s figure.

Belly dancing also helps increase self-confidence and helps with body coordination.

For more information, you can follow her Facebook page at Harakat Oriental Dance.