San Diego dance instructor Leilainia is releasing the instructional DVD “Step by Step Belly Dance with Leilainia” following a premiere party this week at Pacific Beach’s Tango Del Rey. The event tommorow, March 19 event will include belly dance performances by Leilainia herself, along with a combined act with her sibling and Shimmy Sisters partner, Adelaide. The accompanying music will be performed by Leilainia’s husband’s band, Danyavaad. The DVD features three 15-minute sections of rhythmic movements that focus on the body’s inner core designed to quickly burn calories while having fun. For some, belly dancing is simply the movement of one’s hips; but for Leilainia, it’s a lifetime of spiritual movements that have led to national exposure. This second-generation belly dancer is living a first as she releases the DVD under the nationally distributed lifestyle brand Acacia. Celebrating life and movement through dance, Leilainia inspires during her classes at Kearney Mesa’s California Ballet School and Coronado’s Bamboo Yoga. Building dancers’ confidence with a fun and flirty interpretation of a high-intensity workout, Leilainia said, “Through teaching dance I create experiences that open the student’s creativity. I facilitate people’s movements so they can express who they truly are through belly dance.” Doors are open Thursday nights at the California Ballet School and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Coronado. Growing up surrounded by art, music, dance and “people of inspiration,” Leilainia said her life path was an easy one. Working in San Diego for nine years, the instructor and performer adds excitement to events that “need entertainment” — everything from bachelorette parties to corporate events. Her dance isn’t just about the moves, but the spiritual connection each dancer finds on their own. The movement of the eyes, fingertips, breath and hips are all connected, she said, adding strength to the dance. “It’s all about expression, and muscle — mind connection,” Leilainia said. “It’s going to evoke a different emotion for everybody.” The DVD is a compilation with Acacia, a company that has provided other instructors with an aesthetically pleasing design. Working toward this step for years, Leilainia found Acacia and said she knew it was the brand to represent her. The sets are “vibrant and alive” and represent the moves in a “proper way.” “I loved working with Acacia and Yoga Tribe and Culture,” Leilainia said. “From the beginning, they allowed me to create the type of DVD I envisioned: beautiful, professional, fun and [one that] accurately captures belly dance.” A clip of the DVD can be viewed at www.acacialifestyle.com. Bookings for a belly dancer and class schedules are available at www.leilainia.com.
