Neisa Salima is a belly dancer based out of Colorado Springs, CO. She has been belly dancing since 1999.
Neisa first discovered belly dancing at age 5 when a belly dancer came to her kindergarten class for a presentation. She couldn't wait to tell her mother about the experience and ask if they could hire her to dance at her father's birthday party. From the point, she wanted to become a belly dancer. She does not remember the dancer's name, but would like to offer her heartfelt thanks for the seeds of inspiration that she gave.
Neisa has studied primarily with Mahisha Alail, but also with Dr. Maya, Kaya and Sarah, Jewel of the Nile. She has supplemented her study of this art form with workshops from dancers such as Morocco, Fahtiem, Cassandra, Dalia Carella, Eva Czernik, Wendy Buenaventura, Fat Chance Bellydance, Rafi'ah, Isadora Bushkovski, and Coke.
Neisa is also the coordinator of Zalzali Belly Dance Troupe in Colorado Springs. She dances regularly at the Caspian Cafe, and also at Zalzali's "Night at the Oasis" shows the last Saturday of the month at the Cedars Jazz Club.
Neisa primarily dances cabaret style, or American nightclub style, belly dancing. Her dance includes techniques and props such as zills, veil, floor work, swords, wings, fire, and one of her personal favorites, peacock feather fans.
When asked why she dances, Neisa responded, "In some of the most difficult times in my life, I have been uplifted by other people's art. It has reminded me that no matter how awful things may seem at the time, there is more; there is great beauty in this universe. I believe that art and performance provides us a glimpse of that beauty and wonder, and that an artist can give the audience a gift of that glimpse. I am so grateful for the gift I have received from people who probably don't even know they have given it to me, and I dance in the hope that I may pass that gift on to others as I give it back to myself. Even if it is only to one other person, I hope I have helped to make the world a better place...And on a lighter note, as [dancer] Morocco said at one of ...[her] workshops (paraphrased), how many opportunities do grown women have in today's society to prance around in sequins, jewels, and a tiara and not be either a) the Queen of England or b) rather foolish looking?"
