Marina: From Shy Child to Professional Belly Dancer
Meet Marina Viola, a 34-year-old professional belly dancer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a dance career spanning over three decades, Marina has transformed her love for movement into a lifelong passion and profession. From her early days of tap and ballet to captivating audiences with the art of belly dance, Marina’s journey is a beautiful testament to the power of dance in shaping confidence, creativity, and connection.
Early Beginnings: Dance as a Path Out of Shyness
Marina’s journey with dance began at the tender age of 4. As a little girl who struggled with shyness and separation anxiety, her mother enrolled her in dance classes as a way to help her break free from her shell. Tap and ballet became Marina’s first introduction to the world of movement, and though she didn’t know it at the time, those early classes laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong love affair with dance.
Reflecting on her early years, Marina recalls, “I was incredibly shy and had major separation anxiety from my mom. She decided to put me in dance classes to try to help wean me off her a little and get me out of my shell.” Dance became her outlet, a way to express herself when words failed.
Falling in Love with Belly Dance
While her first experiences with dance started in childhood, it wasn’t until Marina was 19 that she discovered the mesmerizing art of belly dance. Inspired by Shakira’s iconic moves and childhood memories of watching a local belly dancer, belly dance had been on Marina’s bucket list for years. When the opportunity finally arose, she embraced it wholeheartedly.
Belly dance captivated her and created a deeper connection within her. Marina shares, “Learning to belly dance had been on my bucket list for years. It interested me, and I was inspired by Shakira’s dance moves and from watching a belly dancer at a local restaurant when I was a kid.” Little did she know, this form of dance would soon become her greatest passion.
A Defining Moment: Finding Inspiration in "Save the Last Dance”
There are moments in life that act as a catalyst for change, and for Marina, that moment came when she watched the movie Save the Last Dance at 12 years old. The electrifying hip-hop routines sparked something inside her, reigniting her desire to dance.
“I had never seen hip-hop dance before until that movie, and it was love at first sight,” she recalls. “I saw it and said, ‘I want to do that.’” That single moment sparked her determination to re-enter the world of dance, and she’s never looked back since.
How Dance Changed Her Life: Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally
Dance has been more than a form of expression for Marina—it’s been truly life-changing. Over the years, dancing has helped her grow in confidence, not only in herself but also in her body.
Before belly dance, Marina experienced body dysmorphia, feeling extremely self-conscious about showing her belly. Outside of swimming, she never exposed it due to insecurity. Belly dancing changed this for her. It helped her embrace and appreciate her body, especially her belly, and made her more confident in wearing revealing costumes and fully expressing herself through movement.
Dance has kept her flexible and active, a crucial component of maintaining physical health, but its impact reaches far beyond the physical.
Emotionally, dance became an outlet for release, healing, and creativity. Marina describes it as “one of the biggest gifts and blessings in my life.” Through dance, she’s been able to form deep connections, both with herself and with others. From friendships formed on her high school dance team to being part of the global belly dance community, Marina's dance journey is rich with shared experiences that evoke deep, unspoken connections.
The Reward of Connection: Unspoken Bonds Through Dance
When asked what has been the most rewarding aspect of her dance journey, Marina immediately points to the connections she’s made along the way. “Connecting with others through dance has been what is most rewarding,” she explains.
“From the lifelong friendships I made in high school dance team, to the global community of belly dancers that I have met online and in person, to the unspoken connections that I share with my audience when I perform today, dance has brought incredible people into my life,” she reflects.
Advice for Aspiring Dancers: "Follow Your Joy”
Marina knows that starting something new, especially as an adult, can be intimidating. But her advice for anyone hesitant about starting dance is simple: “If you have the desire inside you, do it. Follow your joy.”
She encourages aspiring dancers to let go of the fear of not knowing what to do or feeling self-conscious and instead, embrace the fun and freedom of movement. “You’re not too old. It’s not too late. Don’t worry about not knowing what you’re doing. Let your body move and have fun,”she advises.
Dance Today: Passion, Purpose, and Dreams for the Future
Today, dance is everything to Marina. It’s her passion, her part-time work, and her creative outlet. She teaches belly dance classes, performs at restaurants and events, and graces stages with solo performances at belly dance festivals.
Looking forward, Marina dreams of continuing her journey as both a performer and a teacher. “I hope to keep dancing as long as I can move,” she says with a smile, knowing that dance will always be an integral part of her life.
Marina’s dance journey is a testament to the transformative power of movement. It shows that that dance goes beyond technique or perfection. It's about connection, joy, and following what ignites your passion. And for Marina, that light has always been—and will always be—dance.
Follow Marina’s Dance Journey:
Website: www.marinavioladance.com
Instagram: @marinavioladance
YouTube: @marinavioladance
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