Oriental dance artist & instructor
About me
My name is Nanette Jasmine and I'm an artist, instructor and performer of oriental dance living in Helsinki. I fell in love with oriental dance many years ago when I saw bellydance performances in Turkey. Since then my path has lead me to practice this art form professionally. I dedicate my heart to my work, and in my work I like to emphasize that dancing is a great way to connect the mind and body.
In oriental dance I'm fascinated by the freedom of self-expression. This is one of the few dance styles that emphasizes the dancers own self-expression and creativity. In addition to strong and interesting dance technique, the best thing about the dance is that every dancer gets to dance in their own way. For example one can be sensitive and deeply expressive, and the other can be sparkling and hilariously engaging. There is no right or wrong way to embody the dance as long as the technique is implemented safely for your own body.
Instructor
I have studied oriental dance since 2013 and during the years I've participated on courses of several Finnish and foreign instructors to expand my knowledge.
I teach a variety of levels from beginners to advanced students. As an instructor I always aim to be clear and encouraging. In my teaching it's important for me to be thorough - without forgetting to have fun! On my lessons I want to create a space where everyone can be themselves and feel comfortable and welcomed. My teaching method equally emphasizes both technicality and creative expression.
Performer
I've performed professionally since 2017. During the years I've gained a strong base of experience both in Finland and abroad in multiple different occasions. I plan my shows carefully to be filled with elegance, joy and an element of surprise! Bellydance is all about spreading the joy of movement and that's what I always bring out in my performances.
About Oriental Dance
Oriental dance is also known as bellydance. In the dance the whole body is involved in movement from head to toe and different sharp and soft movements of the body are an essential part of it. The overall appearance of the dance is very feminine and the body movements interpret music very deeply. Oriental dance is for people of all ages since it is body-friendly. The dance has the freedom to do it in your own personal style and in a way that suits your body. In other words, there are just as many styles as there are performers, but the base is the same technique and movement paths that everyone can vary. The technique is based on the different directions and accents of the chest and hips, the movements of the hands and wrists, and the various sets of steps.
Dances like oriental dance are thousands of years old and its deepest roots are still mostly unknown. There are various theories about its history, for example it may have come with the wanderers from India to the Middle East, or it may be based on fertility rites of ancient Egypt. The dance has also been performed in Ottoman courts. What is common to many theories of oriental dance is that it is rooted mainly in a dance between women, the skills of which have passed from mother to daughter.
Oriental dance arrived in the West in the late 19th century, when tourists had seen and documented dances across Ottoman and Arabic cultures.
