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SCMP Reporter

Q: How did you get involved in belly dancing?

A: I have dreamed of becoming a celebrity since I was very young. I am actually a professional singer and I studied pop music at university in Wuhan . I showed talent in many aspects of the performing arts, from singing to writing to dancing, and recorded an album with a record label.

In 1999, after I finished college, I came to Beijing in search of a career and really struggled over the next two years.

I tried to become an actress but was disappointed when I realised that I was not sophisticated or attractive enough to survive in the cut-throat movie industry, which feeds on relationships, money and immorality.

It was not until I came across this unique form of dancing that I understood what kind of things could make me famous.

I have also been very interested in the fabric of the costumes and the rhythm of Middle Eastern music since I was two or three years old. And after becoming a singer, I fell more deeply in love with Middle Eastern music. I believe I was destined to come in contact with this kind of dancing.

How did you learn belly dancing?

In 1999, I spent time in Egypt looking for musical inspiration and I saw a beautiful performance on a boat. I was astonished by the professional Egyptian dancers and I decided to start studying the style. With the help of my Egyptian friends, I visited several well-known belly dancing training clubs and taped performances.

I may have an inborn talent for it and learned very quickly by watching the video clips and imitating the movements.

So how and why did you start a belly dancing club?

I started to dance at friends' parties and taught others in very small groups. But, more and more, I found many women liked the dance but there were almost no books or schools offering information about it. I found a big market and decided to start a club in June 2002.

Business is good and I now have five clubs in Beijing. With the help of nine teachers, we have trained 1,000 students, most of whom are white-collar workers.

I've also created a style called Chinese waist-reduction gym dancing. It combines the essence of belly dancing with elements of Chinese folk dance so it better fits the culture and body type of Chinese women.

I will use the name 'belly dancing' to promote the business but I plan to gradually raise the profile of my hybrid type as a form of exercise.

I've written an instruction book on belly dancing in which I give all the dance movements a Chinese name that is easy to understand. The book is due to be published soon.

I'm lucky to be the first to do this and I have a lot of scope to expand.

What makes belly dancing an art form instead of an erotic performance?

Yes, it's true many people misinterpret the dance as a sexual performance and I've been bothered by that. I spent a lot of energy and time explaining its health aspects and encouraging people to see it as a way of exercising body and mind.

Once a prostitute came to us, saying she wanted to learn a 'hot' dance for her 'business'. I refused to teach her because she did not understand its essence - health, self-esteem and respect for women.



Hubei native seeks her fortune with belly-dance exercise regime