I remember when I first started becoming interested in bellydance - almost 10 years ago now! I played in a percussion ensemble, and I saw some lovely (tribal, I now know) bellydancers at an event in Seattle. I lived on an island, and I thought, "If I just save up some money, I can go take a workshop at least, and then I'll know the basics." I wound up in a cabaret class, taught by a woman whose name I cannot remember, and I thought, "Yikes! What have I gotten myself into?!" I was pierced and dreadlocked and not at all into sparkles and big smiles, so the workshop made me a bit confused about bellydance in general.

Eventually I learned about the various styles of bellydance and found Hot Pot Studios, where I've been taking tribal fusion and ATS classes for about a year and a half now. I finally found the style that fit me, and I've also learned to appreciate cabaret dancing despite my fear of sequins. There are some cabaret dancers who really rock my world, and after seeing "American Bellydancer," I've got to say that Ansuya is top of the list. I dig her style, sparkle and all, love her hair and her flowers and her sassy little queen-of-the-world facial expressions.

But I really love her philosophy. Hearing her talk in the documentary made me feel proud to be a bellydance student. So thanks, Ansuya, for curing me of my fear of sparkles and giving me new and interesting reasons to dance! I look forward to (ulp!) braving my next cabaret-style class with you, someday.