Turkish dancer in Britain's top dance magazine

It is the first time Dance Today has written extensively about a Turkish dancer. The two-page special on Izmir-born Melisa Yavas appears in the Dance Health section of its March edition. It covers the origins, benefits and types of bellydancing, explains how the Turkish style of Oriental dancing is different, as well as details on the Kush Project. The article also highlights the fact that Melisa became a dancer in the UK instead of her native Turkey, where professional bellydancing by educated women is still taboo. 

Titled ‘Bellydance your way to wellbeing’, the article was written by respected dance author and journalist Lee Knights. Along with Melisa’s journey into bellydancing, which she initially kept hidden from her family, the journalist also explains the rationale behind Kush. She writes, “Dance and music make you feel good – it’s a simple truth – but for London-based Turkish belly dancer Melisa Yavas, it’s also the inspiration for a new integrated movement that draws together dance and music with complementary therapies”. Originally founded in 1894, Dance Today and its sister magazine Dancing Times are Britain’s oldest dance magazines. Dance Today covers all forms of social dance and wider issues such as health and education, while Dancing Times focuses on theatrical dance. Together, they are at the forefront of the international dance world and the most influential dance media in the UK. 

Melisa said, “As a Turkish bellydancer, I know it is not easy to get British media to take note of what we do, so I am really pleased and proud to see this article. The magazine recognises the importance of bellydance, and of course it is also a fantastic way to promote my culture and unique Kush Project.” 

The first Kush session called Relationship took place at Sadler’s Wells – the home of British dance – in February. The next one, called Acceptance, will take place at the same venue on Tuesday 26 March. The two and half hour session will feature Melisa Yavas (bellydance) and Laura Valenti (sound therapy), with live percussion from Guy Schalom. More details and tickets are available on www.KushProject.com 

Melisa Yavas

Melisa is one of UK’s best known and respected Turkish bellydancers, fusing Oriental styles and techniques to deliver some of the most exhilarating performances you will ever see. She has performed professionally for the past seven years, sharing the stage with the likes of Algeria’s king of Rai Abdelkader Saadoun, Jazz star Ilhan Ersahin and the Bollydance Superstars. Her new venture Kush draws on her professional and academic experience in psychotherapy, her ethnic Turkish background, dancing career and interests in spirituality.   www.melisayavas.com