Layali Layla Middle Eastern Dance Company

The Middle Eastern world of spirituality and the richness of language and meanings expressed by Middle Eastern songs and dances led Layla Joiner to create the Layali Layla Dance Company. The dancers are women of various backgrounds and ages that share gracefulness, inner beauty, appreciation of artistry, and hours of dance practice. The main style of Layali Layla Dance Company performances is Egyptian dance, otherwise called Raks Sharki, from Arabic translated oriental dance. Often called belly dancing, Egyptian dance also involves the dancer's hands, arms, shoulders, neck, chest, eyes, hips, and especially the brain. Layali Layla dancers have great movement coordination, and the skill of muscle isolation, which requires a high degree of concentration, focus and mental discipline. Layla also offers belly dance fitness classes that are designed primarily for beginners. Belly dance classes use the energetic moves and techniques of Middle Eastern dance. The moves are fun and help increase metabolism, tone muscles, and improve balance and coordination, while relaxing and energizing the body. Classes are led by Layla, a native of Romania who learned the art of belly dance through her travels to Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Belly Dance classes are held at: Mauldin Sports Center, 101 E. Butler Rd, Mauldin, SC 29662; Super Starz, 113-A E. Butler Rd, Mauldin, SC 29662; and Sports Club at Five Forks, 317 Scuffletown Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29681.