Belly dancing may not be common in Malaysia, but Nancy Bakhshy (below), 44, has managed to entice many local women to take up the soulful art.

Not only is she a talented belly dancer, she also has a heart of gold. This Turkish woman is also an avid supporter and a participant of PRIDE Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to breast cancer causes.

Bakhshy also hosts belly dance showcases during PRIDE's events.

Bakhshy was invited to join PRIDE by Priscillia Seelan, the group's communications manager, in an attempt to change the ''gloomy'' mood of the participants in major events.


Bakhshy cheered up the participants with her appearance and cheeky approach with belly dancing. It managed to lift the spirits of many a breast cancer survivor, many of whom had since joined her belly dancing team.

Other than cheering the participants, Bakhshy teaches them to get familiar with their own bodies and gain better understanding of their physique through belly dancing.

She also emphasises how breast cancer can be detected by self-examination.



Bakhshy said belly dancing's true nature laid in the performance of the art and not as a stage show as it was commonly perceived.

Belly dancing not only gives an overall workout, it increases self-confidence, reduces stress and for the patients to forget momentarily their cancer-related suffering. It also replaces one's negative energy with positive one.

However, Bakhshy said belly dancing should not be regarded as an exotic dance.

''It's easier than sit-ups, the salsa and even pilates. I teach my students how to use all their muscles and being in total control of their bodies while dancing."

In a nutshell, belly dancing helps the participants of PRIDE to live normal lives despite their illness. It is also a way to relieve backrelated problems, especially for workers of the nine-tofive norm.

''I give these shows for free, but I gain joy when I help unfortunate people," said Bakhshy.

Asked why she wanted to introduce belly dancing in Malaysia, she said: "Most Asians have hardly ever heard of belly dancing. The only reference I can get from then is when I mention Shakira's hip-gyrating dances. I want to show them the wonders of belly dancing.

''Now with people attracted to the idea, a lot of them have enrolled in my classes. They say they want to become like Shakira.''

Bakhshy has two daughters.

One of them is a lab technician i n Serdang Hospital, while the other is studying mass communications at IACT College.

Bakhshy is the head of the Middle East Dance Academy, at Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, contact her at 012-6270763.