About Ansuya
Ansuya's mother, Jenaeni Rathor - a renowned American Cabaret Style Bellydance Pioneer.
Ansuya is a second-generation, internationally recognized superstar of Bellydance with thousands of students across the globe. She is a three-time Golden Belly Award winner, has a Best Cabaret Bellydancer of the Year Award from the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, is one of the original Bellydance Superstars, stars in three pivotal Bellydance documentaries: "American Bellydancer", "Behind the Shimmy", and "The Fez Documentary", and is currently immersed in her RYT® 200 Yoga Teacher training certification.
Legendary Bellydancer, Feiruz Aram - holding baby Ansuya
​in dance studio.
Along with winning the title of "Miss Teen Ojai" and modeling in Hawaii and Japan, Ansuya has had numerous television appearances as both a Bellydancer and an actress including Days of Our Lives, Judging Amy, V.I.P, Jack and Jill, The Jim Jay and Ann Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The John Mackenroe Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, MTV Canada, and entertainment and news shows around the world.
Ansuya getting ready for her first performance at age four.
Ansuya has also appeared in music videos for Beck and Sons of Funk. She has toured with the famous rock festival Lollapalooza, has been on her own independent teaching and performance tour of the world multiple times and has danced at the top Middle Eastern restaurants in Hollywood, performed for countless celebrities, and can be seen on Exercise Leader Kathy Smith's Bellydance and Fitness DVD, Flex Appeal, along with 15 of her own top selling DVD's.
Ansuya's first veil dance.
Ansuya has also choreographed for the daytime drama, The Young and the Restless, has had celebrity students, and has performed in some of the world's most distinguished theaters including the Follies Bergere in Paris, France and the Victoria Theatre in Barcelona, Spain.
Ansuya's first candle dance.
A pioneer of online Bellydance classes, Ansuya offers hundreds of videos covering every style and aspect of Bellydance at Ansuya.com and conducts her performer and instructor certifications and personal and group coaching via her Bellyskpes. She is also the facilitator of a Facebook community where her online students (Cyber Goddesses) can interact with her and each other and be inspired to live their best Bellydance lives, sharing lots of extra tips and articles and exotic lifestyle fun, including make up, costuming, and decor advice.
Ansuya's first cane dance.
Ansuya's teaching style is accessible as she fills her classes with her sense of humor and easy to follow breakdown of even the most complicated techniques and concepts!
Ansuya with Mama Jenaeni.
Daughter & protege of renowned pioneer of American Cabaret style Bellydance, Jenaeni Rathor, Ansuya was born into the vanguard of the Bellydance world. With over 30 years of training under Jenaeni, Alexandra King, & Aleili, Ansuya lovingly says she "was raised by wolves". She is now the creator of her own eclectic style fusing Cabaret Bellydance with Indian, African, Spanish, Gypsy, Tribal, Cabaret, Egyptian, Hip Hop, and Burlesque flavors. She features props in her style including veils, swords, candles, fans, fan veils, wings, cane, and is a master of finger cymbal playing. She is known for her energetic, sensual, and emotionally expressive performances.
Ansuya - all grown up.
Here's what Ansuya wants you to know:
"Growing up learning from my mother, I gave my first performance at the age of four. I knew right away that I liked the spotlight, the costumes, and the joy of movement! It wasn't long before I discovered how empowering Bellydance can be as I continued to dance through my teen years, as a young adult, and as a full grown woman. Through each stage of my development, Bellydance has offered me gifts to enhance my femininity and light the way toward a sacred expression of sensuality. Not to mention, it's a great way to stay in shape! With thousands of students across the globe, it's my passion to help each one unleash their inner goddess!” - Ansuya
