Interview with a Bellydancer: Gaia Sophia

Thanks to Gaia Sophia from Darshana Tribal Belly Dance and World Tree Dance for agreeing to participate in our "Interview with a Bellydancer" series!

Darshana Tribal in the advertisement for 2016 Homecoming "Phone Home"
Top row: Krista, Terri, Megha, Carolena, Gaia Sophia, Dana
Bottom row:  Dawn, Patti, Cindy

I first met Gaia Sophia when Dawn and I attended her event, Tribal Wonderland, in 2014.  Her warmth and hospitality makes it no surprise that her events sell out!  She frequently (always?) wears a red shawl and it has come to symbolize her loving and kind nature.

Gaia Sophia is from Pine River, MN.  In addition to teaching belly dance, she is a massage therapist and a yoga teacher.  She is the "devoted homeschool momma of 4 and married to a beautiful man."  They "live a simple earthly hedgewitch life on [their] micro-farm."  "And [she] loves cake."

If you had superpowers, what would they be?  Powers, plural.  Wow, that is a lot to ponder. Hmmmm... I'll get back to you on that one.

(Look at the pic below, I think we can tell what her superpowers are.)

If I opened your refrigerator right now, what would I find? Cake, local beer, and kale. Maybe some other stuff too. ;)

What is your favorite genre of books? All of them. I find gems in every genre and don’t prefer one genre over another. A good book is what I look for. One of my favorite books is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

If you were in a horror movie, what would be chasing you?  The director, because I’d be laughing too much at the absurdity of it all. I’m fearless and fabulous baby!

What is your proudest Bellydance moment? My first round of GS/TT/TT2 in 2012. I was away from home for 10 days, still nursing, and it was intense and incredibly rewarding. I will always be grateful for those 10 days.

What is your proudest non-Bellydance moment? Learning how to forgive.

What is the last gift you gave someone? I made a shimmy drill video for my sweetheart friend Freida.

Classic, modern, or movement dialect and why? All. Because dance is dance and all styles and approaches  are beautiful.

What is your best advice to student dancers? Dance for you. Dance every day, find a song that makes you move and just DANCE. Dance however, whenever, and for whatever reason. Just DANCE.

What is something most people don’t know about you? I fly airplanes. It’s been a while but I love to pilot single engine aircraft.

Thanks Gaia Sophia!