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Huraiva Alimah loves dancing and has since she was a small child. Whenever music is playing you'll find her swaying to the beat. She has over thirty years of dance training, including ballet, ballroom, baton, jazz, tap, and of course, belly dancing. She has performed throughout the region including Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, Topeka, Lincoln, Nebraska and Columbia, Missouri. Huraiva loves the variety of movement in belly dance; the contrast between slow, snaking undulations and abrupt accent moves appeals to her playful nature. When asked what she likes best about belly dance she always answers with a shimmy.  

Huraiva has been belly dancing since 2002. She started her studies with videos, until she found local classes and then enrolled. To this day she enjoys learning new steps and combinations to use while dancing. Attending workshops keeps her on her toes and she has studied with Kami Liddle, Eva Cernik, Amy Sigil of Unamata, Princess Farhana, Ariellah and many more. She loves to explore the different styles that make up belly dance, and though she hasn't chosen a favorite yet, Turkish or Rom will probably win in the end.  

Huraiva was a founding member of Eyes of Bastet belly dance troupe based out of Manhattan. She resigned her position at the end of 2010 to focus on the Topeka troupe she founded in 2008, Hathor's Hips. Huraiva went through an extensive teacher training process, including student teaching under the supervision of another instructor, before she began teaching belly dance in October of 2006.

Huraiva founded Belly Dance Topeka in May of 2008 when the belly dance school she had been teaching for decided to concentrate its efforts on the Kansas City market. Huraiva took that opportunity to develop her own curriculum and expand the amount of information presented in each level. The curriculum now in use incorporates Vintage Oriental and Group Improvisational styles. Huraiva has also added information on Middle Eastern Rhythms, additional props to the Intermediate level classes and additional emphasis on playing finger cymbals.

Teaching a mix of American Night Club and Group Improvisational styles keeps Huraiva’s classes interesting. From beginning belly dance to advanced, she tries to challenge her students, yet keep the class entertaining. Huraiva enjoys playing her finger cymbals while dancing and tries to instill that same enjoyment in her students. She thinks dancing should be fun and challenging. Huraiva believes sharing this fun and exhilarating art form with friends is the perfect remedy for stress. She's thrilled to share her love of dance with her students.

E-mail Huraiva at huraiva@huraivaalimah.com