Today we’d like to introduce you to Sohaila Zyba.
Hi Sohaila, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Over four decades ago, I walked into a dance studio… and without even realizing it, I walked straight into my life’s calling. The moment the music began, something inside me awakened. The layered rhythms, the emotion, the depth of Middle Eastern movement touched my soul in a way nothing else ever had. This wasn’t just dance. It was lineage. It was storytelling. It was feminine power.
What began as fascination evolved into devotion.
My journey carried me across borders — from Egypt to Dubai, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Greece, Mexico, and all across the United States. And everywhere I went, I witnessed something beautiful: this ancient art form speaks to everyone. I danced at weddings, festivals, on cruise ships in the Mediterranean, and on international stages… and no matter the country or the language, the connection was always the same.
You don’t have to speak the same language to feel rhythm. You don’t need translation to recognize presence. When a woman dances from her center — grounded, embodied, fully alive — people feel it. The energy shifts. The room changes. And yes… the world listens.
One of the most meaningful moments in my journey was being honored at the American Belly Dance Awards 2.0 on February 1st, 2026. That recognition wasn’t just about one night. It represented decades of study, devotion, cultural respect, discipline, and my commitment to presenting Middle Eastern dance with integrity and excellence. It felt like a beautiful acknowledgment — not just of me — but of the art form itself. A reminder that this tradition deserves respected stages and to be taken seriously.
But truthfully… awards were never the goal.
As the years passed, my purpose grew beyond performing. I realized belly dance isn’t just movements and choreography. It’s reclamation. It calls women back into their bodies. Back into their senses. Back into their authority.
When a woman truly inhabits her movement, something powerful happens. She stops shrinking. She stops asking for permission. She takes up space — not loudly, but fully.
That belief shapes everything I do.
When we learn to feel deeply — through music, through movement, through the wisdom of our own bodies — we move through life differently. With intention. With courage. With presence.
My legacy isn’t just the stages I’ve danced on or the honors I’ve received. It lives in the dancers I mentor. In the traditions I work to preserve. In the women who reconnect with their strength through this ancient art.
Long after the spotlight fades, what remains is impact. The ripple. The empowerment passed forward.
Belly dance did not just shape my career. It shaped my voice. And I have dedicated my life to ensuring that voice — and this art form — continues to be heard with dignity, respect, and power.
Here is my speech I gave:
Thank you to TABA (The American Belly Dance Awards 2.0) for this beautiful honor. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award
after nearly 50 years of dancing is incredibly meaningful to me.
I began dancing at 12 years old, and now, 47 years later, I stand here still devoted to
this art with discipline, and deep love. Belly dance has never been a hobby for me. It
has been my calling — my life. And this recognition reminds me that true passion never
fades. It may grow quiet for a season… but it always rises again.
Throughout my career, I have been known for one thing: foundation. I teach with depth.
I teach with precision. I teach until it lives in the body, the mind, and the soul. I will not
move on until it is understood.
Over the years, many dancers have trained with me. Some remained. Some continued
their journeys in other directions. That is natural. Growth is part of the path.
But true foundation does not disappear. It travels with you. It shows in your technique. It
shows in your musicality. It shows in your confidence on stage. What is built correctly
stands the test of time.
I am proud of every dancer who began in my studio. Every seed planted with integrity
grows in its own way.
Legacy is not about applause or acknowledgment. It is about impact. And impact
speaks for itself.
I would like to personally thank Imelda, founder of The American Belly Dance Awards,
for her professionalism and for this beautiful honor. ⎯
Long after the spotlight fades, what remains is impact. The ripple. The empowerment passed forward.
And speaking of impact, I want to share a moment that has stayed with me for years.
When I was dancing in Mexico City in the 1980’s, I was having breakfast at Adonis — the same restaurant where we were performing — sitting across from a Lebanese singer. We were talking about life, about this industry, about how people will always have opinions.
He paused, looked at me seriously, and said, “What I’m about to tell you, I want you to always remember: No matter who talks about you — good or bad — they are still talking about you.” I’ve carried those words with me ever since.
Because when you choose to live fully, dance boldly, and take up space with integrity — you will be talked about. And that’s okay. Presence creates conversation. And conversation means you made an impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was not always a smooth road. In fact, some of my greatest achievements came with some of my greatest tests. When I reached the height of my dancing career — performing in Egypt and becoming recognized as a leading dancer by dancing with one of the best Artists at the time — I experienced something many high achievers quietly face: success can be isolating. There’s truth to the phrase, “it’s lonely at the top.”
As a young dancer, I was simply in love with the art form. I was happy, passionate, and grateful for every opportunity. But in competitive spaces, joy and momentum can sometimes trigger insecurity in others. There were moments of jealousy, criticism, and attempts to diminish my work. That was painful — especially because I led with innocence and enthusiasm.
Over time, I realized those experiences were shaping me. They taught me inner knowing, resilience, and the importance of staying rooted in purpose rather than comparison. I learned that you cannot control how others respond to your light — only how brightly you choose to shine. And I chose to keep shining.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I don’t just teach belly dance — I cultivate presence, power, and legacy through it.
At my core, I am a performing artist, choreographer, and mentor devoted to the preservation and elevation of Middle Eastern dance. My specialty is authentic belly dance rooted in cultural reverence, refined technique, and deep musical interpretation. I bridge tradition with commanding stage presence — honoring the origins of the dance while presenting it with elegance, strength, and professionalism on international stages.
I am known for my expressive technique and storytelling through movement. I teach dancers to understand the moves — not simply execute choreography. For me, belly dance is a living dialogue between rhythm and emotion, and when that connection is real, audiences feel it instantly.
As my career evolved, I realized this art form offers something even more profound: transformation. That insight led me to create The Sense-ual Woman® Program and Retreats, where I integrate belly dance with the awakening of the five senses. Through intentional movement, music, scent, texture, and embodiment practices, I guide women back to their bodies — back to confidence, sensual intelligence, and inner authority. It is not about performance alone; it is about reclamation.
I am incredibly proud of being recognized at the American Belly Dance Awards, an honor that reflects decades of discipline, cultural study, and devotion to excellence. Yet what moves me most are the women who leave my classes and retreats standing taller, speaking stronger, and living more boldly.
What sets me apart is that I approach this dance as heritage, not trend — as discipline, not novelty. I bring international performance experience, cultural respect, and a deep understanding of feminine embodiment into every space I enter. My work lives at the intersection of art, preservation, and empowerment.
More than anything, I am proud that I have built a career rooted in integrity — honoring the culture, elevating the craft, and ensuring that this ancient art form continues to inspire generations of women to feel their power and step fully into their lives. I want all women to remember to Sense Your Power, Seize the Day®, the Sohaila way.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have been blessed with a handful of mentors who guided me along the way — offering wisdom, encouragement, and perspective at pivotal moments in my career. But long before any stage, any award, or any mentor… there was my beautiful mother, Louise.
She was my first encourager. The one who saw my spark and never tried to dim it. She allowed me the freedom to explore, to move, to follow what lit my soul on fire. Without her openness and her belief in me, I could have never lived this beautiful dance life. She didn’t just support my dream — she protected it. And that gift is something I carry with me every time I step onto a stage.
And truthfully, every dance artist, singer, performer — even my own students, past and present — has played a role in shaping who I am. Each person has left an imprint, whether their influence was uplifting or challenging. Even those who weren’t supportive taught me something invaluable: resilience, inner clarity, and how to stay humble and grounded in my life choices.
Because in the end, none of us rise alone. We rise on the love, the lessons, and the courage that were poured into us — and it becomes our responsibility to pour it forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Sohaila.net
- Instagram: Sohailazyba
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sohailazyba1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soldbysohaila/
- Twitter: Sohailazyba
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscoverItHere
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/sohailainternational/
Image Credits
Sohaila International
