Specializing in World Dances in a class format designed for adult women who want to start dancing at a later age, they offer authentic Middle Eastern, Indian, African, Hip Hop, Zumba and other specialty dance and fitness classes, Belly Motions, Inc., located in South Miami, Florida, is driven by a selective team of professionals dedicated to their students and the performing arts. Portia Lange, Founder and CEO, founded Belly Motions in 2005 in order to empower women of all ages through dances that celebrate differences in body shapes and sizes. For this article, we interviewed Luisa Molina, their Director of Business Development. Not only is Luisa the Director of both the KIDS Programs and Business Development, she is also a Belly Dance instructor and performer.
The staff has experienced many proud moments as Belly Motions’ instructors, but their favorites tend to be when they celebrate their students’ birthdays during their dance class! This is a sure reminder not only that their students enjoy Belly Motion’s studio, but that they LOVE and want to be here to share their gratitude on their special days.
In Portia’s experience, she has found that women tend to be very competitive with each other. At Belly Motions, they create a supportive environment and encourage friendships where women work together instead of against one another.
The RAKettes, Miami Belly Dance Stars, is Belly Motions’ competitive dance team for teens 
and young adults. This team is advanced students who desire to take their dancing to a higher level. Not only do the RAKettes compete, they participate in community shows and theater productions.
Belly Motion’s professional dancers are available to entertain at special events. Specializing in Belly Dance, Fire Shows and Bollywood, these dancers are available to perform at birthday parties, weddings, baby and wedding showers, bachelorette parties and corporate events. There are two shows available. One is a 20 – 25 minute show with audience participation. The other is a little longer but it includes a 20 minute Mini Belly Dance Class following the performance.
Shows and Group Classes are oriented to the enjoyment of the whole family; from children to seniors! They are full of the artistry, ethnicity and vibrancy of Arabic culture. Elegance and refinement are of most importance.
They also provide children’s parties. In one party, Princess Jasmine appears live and in person! The celebrants are able to meet Princess Jasmine and join her in photo opts, Meet & Greet and a fun Belly Dance full of smiles, shimmies and more. The Belly Dance Princess Party provides a Theatrical Belly Dance performance including props such as fan veils, sword, Isis wings, and more! This party also provides photo opts, a Meet & Greet, and a fun Belly Dance class full of shimmies, smiles and more!
Their goals are to continue to Live, Love, Laugh, Dance! After all, it’s their official motto!
Belly Motions also has special programs for KIDS, TEENS and Mommy & Me . . . and . . . they have a Mascot! That’s right – Bindi, the Belly Dancing Kitty! Bindi joins them for local community and special events where she brings smiles to audiences as she showcases her favorite Belly Dance moves!
Throughout the year, Belly Motions offers dance and specialty workshops that focus on a specific topic. The two to three hour long workshops are usually held on Saturdays. On April 30th, they held a Sword Workshop. In the month of May, they presently have four workshops planned. Those workshops are Zills 4-Week Intensive with Alexandra, Mommy n’ Me Experience, Samba Steps & Choreography Workshop with Kamila and Shimmy Styles & Drum Solo Workshop with Andrus.
In addition to dance instruction and entertainment at private and corporate events, Belly Motions works with local, national and international organizations, including local colleges and universities on a variety of Outreach Programs and Community Events . Just a few of the programs they have been involved n include the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Best Buddies International, Charlee Home for Children, Boys and Girls Club of America, Educate Tomorrow, Girl Scouts of America, the Humane Society of Miami, Sunil’s Home Orphanage annual Fundraising Gala, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and a long list if social, cultural, educational and other programs.
If you would like more information about Belly Motions, Inc., visit their website at bellymotions.com, call them at 305-663-1553, or email them at info@bellymotions.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and watch them on YouTube.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Luisa Molina of Belly Motions, Inc.
I walked into the studio with nerves and apprehension, and I left with a new coin belt and most importantly, LOVE! Ms. Luisa was a wonderful first guide for me into the world of dance, and I’m sooo grateful. She, Ms. Portia, and the rest of the amazing Belly Motions team really know how to share the gift of belly dance, and also the gifts of self-respect, self-worth, and most importantly, love for all. They’re a terrific group of women who enrich this area, and all areas!