There are people who find their dance calling at a young age, starting with the typical tap, ballet and jazz classes, eventually discovering Middle Eastern dance as part of a natural progression in their art. There are others who come upon Middle Eastern dance through a variety of circumstances, perhaps as a way to get more physically fit or in tune with their own bodies. Then there are others who almost seem to be led by divine intervention to this delightful art form. Qadria of Belly Revelations is one of those truly fortunate people who fall into the last category, and her self-proclaimed “dance priestess” is Betsy Bickel. Through the introduction of an old and mutual friend, Betsy became Qadria’s “hero- my inspiration. (Betsy was) an empowering woman (who) changed my life dramatically.” The heretofore Linda Stratford discovered Middle Eastern dance and her newfound persona at the age of 47, becoming Qadria, and serving as an inspiration for women of all ages. As she so emphatically states, “You are NOT too old to belly dance. I don’t want to hear about it!”
It wasn’t long before Qadria started to perform and teach, sharing her love of the dance with the community at large. Teaching is a natural extension of the 20 years she spent as a middle school math and social studies teacher, while performing allows her to showcase her innately outgoing and playful personality to its best. Qadria loves to have fun in whatever endeavor she pursues. As she says so succinctly, “This is the way to live, folks!” But underneath the poise and playfulness lies the heart of a woman with a mission: to help women of all ages and sizes to develop a positive self-image, and to have belly dancing accepted as part of the mainstream dance community. As regards the latter, her “vision for Raleigh is that by the year 2005, readers of the Raleigh News and Observer will find belly dance listed between ballet and clogging in the publication’s Friday ‘What’s Up’ section.” And as regards the former, one of Qadria’s favorite aspects of teaching is when her students become more comfortable in their own skins, and finally let go of societal notions of women’s beauty. Being able to revel in their own innate power and grace as well as that of the dance is something she terms an “ah ha moment”.
Qadria believes strongly in her ability to “do it all” in life as well as in dance. About four years ago, she became a founding member of Belly Revelations, a troupe that allows plenty of room for solo expression as well. While Qadria feels that “belly dancing is supposed to be about the community of women.... (there is also) plenty of room for solos.” Among her many interests, Qadria choreographs and performs tribal, candle dancing, sword dancing, veil work, and cane dancing. Her “technical goal for the year 2002 is to learn Turkish,” and to that end she has been personally invited by Artemis Mourat to participate in an invitation-only advanced level workshop. Along with the rest of Belly Revelations, Qadria has sponsored workshops by Aneena (twice) and Kajira Djoumahna, and has another planned for September 14, 2002 featuring Donna and Asim, as well as one to be taught by Amaya on February 22 and 23, 2003 . She has also been invited to present a belly dance workshop for Arts Together on September 28, 2002. Additionally, Qadria teaches regular classes at the YWCA in Raleigh, culminating each series with the most relaxed, nurturing, and just plain fun student haflas around.
Despite her busy schedule, Qadria remains seemingly calm and collected regardless of the situation at hand. Part of this poise she attributes to her nature, but much of it she credits to a life-changing workshop she participated in several years ago- Landmark Education. This program involves attendance at a weekend retreat during which participants “make a quick break from the past, put a future out in front of themselves, and (then) live it.” It also involves an ongoing process of “recognizing the baggage from the past”, but consciously choosing to put it behind- “clearing space in your life... imagining and living endless possibilities... like cleaning out your attic”; in other words, taking what is serviceable and keeping it, but getting rid of the rest of the unnecessary clutter. Qadria attributes Landmark Education with giving her the tools with which to achieve the many goals she has since set forth for herself. “Without Landmark Education, I wouldn’t be here today, performing, teaching and networking for change” in the belly dance community and beyond.
Qadria chose her stage name for a variety of reasons, including the fact that “Q is a rare letter, it is the beginning of ‘questioning’, and because I am a Trekkie who loves (the character) Q!” It is fascinating how people’s dance names reveal so much about them; Qadria is no exception. She has a rare gift that combines questioning the status quo while reaching for the stars- both for herself and those around her. One of Qadria’s hallmark sayings is a paraphrase of the eloquent words of Gandhi, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Without a doubt, Qadria certainly lives that ideal to the fullest, enacting changes that make the world much better in the process. Qadria wants to do it all; one can only imagine the great changes she will make as she seeks to fulfill her dreams.
About the author: Sashi (aka Patti Beaman) is a member of Blue Moon Belly Dance, and lives
in Apex with her wonderfully supportive and loving family: husband Brian, daughters Sara and
Emily, and her dog Casey. Sashi has been studying belly dance for two years, but wishes it
had been two decades instead.
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