Mia's Method ©

In 1998 Mia began to belly dance for the first time. It was an exhilarating feeling, a mixture of being free and yet closely attuned to her body and her emotions. She was lucky enough to study intensively, every day for six weeks, and with encouragement from those around her, she decided to see where the dance would lead her.

After being swept away by the music the first time she danced, the second and third times she became more conscious of her body. When she watched the other girls and tried to copy their moves she realised that what she had was raw talent, a feel, but to refine it she would need to study hard.

Mia travelled around the world, studying with master teachers in Cairo, and in the USA and at belly dance conferences and courses. She visited many differenct classes in London. But soon she felt her method was unique and ready to share with the world and she opened her first class in Tufnell Park, North London in 1999.

However, as Mia's popularity grew and she was in demand to belly dance every night in restaurants and clubs she found her lower back became painful. Determined to find a solution she took a pilates class and was so inspired by it she trained as an advanced level pilates instructor.

She taught pilates one-to-one in a physio clinic and to groups in gyms, all the while belly dancing professionally and teaching weekly belly classes (not to mention working in a top investment bank). Then in April 2004, after running drop-in classes at both Pineapple studios and Danceworks in London's West End, she launched her 12-week courses belly dance courses at Danceworks. They were an instant sell-out and the Mia Serra School of Belly Dance has now expanded to include The Urdang Academy.

Mia's method had rapid results, with students performing a full choreography after only 12-weeks study, feeling confident and in control of their bodies. Her course is now into its third successful year. It is a course with a rigorous method and an intelligent approach, giving students time to build up strength and technique within a supportive group while also experiencing the liberty and playfulness of moving to the music.

Mia encourages her students to progress as far they wish, and some of them go on to dance and teach professionally. Her Marhsallah! Dance Company and the belly dance instructor certification provide next step training.

But don’t just take Mia's word for it….Read what Mia's students say about her classes here.