Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Hassan.
Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi my name is Kelly Hassan. I started One Spirit Dance & Fitness 15 years ago in downtown Pinckney, MI. It’s a Belly Dance and Yoga Studio. I teach a style of belly dance called Tribal Fusion. I’ve been a belly dancer for 25 years. My husband purchased a belly dance costume for me, so I got a few videos to learn how to dance. I soon discovered that I needed an instructor. I met my first teacher, Mylita Benjamin and through her teachings fell in love with the dance. I was with her studio, Mystic Lotus, for 10 years and left to start my own studio in 2010, One Spirit Dance & Fitness. For the past 9 years to current, I study with a renown teacher and dancer, Rose Harden, she is based in San Francisco, California and I have a weekly Zoom lesson with her, where I continue to learn and grow so that I can continue to evolve as a teacher and a performer. I teach Level I, II/III technique classes and am director of our student troupe, Becky Hanchin is our dance props director and Antonia “Toni” Trantham is our Intermediate troupe director, I have a collaborative professional troupe and we also have a fire props troupe.
I have a troupe of 10 woman belly dancers and a male drummer. We Belly Dance with Swords, Isis Wings, Silk Veil Fans, Fans, Silk Poi Flags and Veils, we also play Zills (finger cymbals). We have a props Fire Troupe called One Spirit Fire Fae Troupe. We spin fire with Poi, staff, double staff, palm torches, dragon staff, rope dart and fans.
We perform throughout the year at many events such as the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, MI, Canterbury Village Medieval Faire in Lake Orion, MI, Michigan Fantasy Fest in Saint Claire Shores, MI. We spin fire at Terrorfied Forest in Pinckney, MI , as well as other belly dance events, and private gatherings.
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a modern western form of belly dance (there are several different belly dance genres). It was created by fusing American Tribal Style belly dance and American Cabaret belly dance. Tribal Fusion also incorporates other styles of dance, hip hop, jazz, ballet, flamenco, and other folkloric and classical dance styles.
Our costumes are typically 25 yard skirts, pantaloons (a type of harem pants), Coin bra tops and vests, and belts, kuchi jewelry (coins, cowry shells, jewels, etc.).
The benefits from belly dance are endless. It helps with cognitive (memory) functions, its great for toning muscles, building strong bones, helps with balance and coordination, posture, cardiovascular health, flexibility, it reduces stress and it’s fun!!!! Mind, body and spirit!
I teach classes several times a week in studio & via zoom. Visit our website for our class schedule, videos, pictures at onespiritdanceandfitness.com.
I am also a certified Reiki Master. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that uses energy to promote healing by directing universal life force energy through gentle touch.
My studio tagline is “a place where Goddesses Gather” although I do have an all genders technique class too.
One Spirit is a place dedicated to supporting all types of women from all walks of life through fitness and fun! We offer classes and services including Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Yoga, Reiki sessions. Experience transformation through support and fitness!
Our Mission
To serve as an instrument of light and love for women, our community and our world:
— Women —
To provide a safe space for women to discover and experience her divine greatness, connect with other like-minded women and participate in the joy of learning and expression of dance!
— Community —
To collectively serve as a loving sisterhood to each other and the dance community, as well as inspire joy in our communities through sharing our dance and shining our lights!
— World —
To serve as a beacon of Light and Love!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, it’s been a pretty smooth road. I see each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. I focus on knowing, seeing and believing. Faith is everything. I strive to be the best person I can be and things always work out exactly how they are supposed too. Only through life experiences can we learn and grow, I never forget that.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a business woman, artist, teacher, mentor and a sister dancer.
I love mentoring young women especially, but also woman and helping them to build confidence so that they can be anything they want.
The studio is amazing place and what I am most proud of is building a community of women who love, care and nurture each other through building friendships and a love of dance.
I think what sets me apart from others in business is that I feel it isn’t about making money, it’s about sharing what I love to do and teaching others.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a very shy, introverted person. I didn’t really have any hobbies or interests. I was a single parent for many years and my focus was my son and work to keep a roof over our heads. When I met the love of my life, he became a wonderful husband and partner and because of that I was able to explore my interests. I love physical fitness and am very active. Not only do I belly dance most days of the week, I do yoga for calming the mind and body flexibility, lift weights for strength and grace, use a row machine and treadmill for cardio health.
Dance helped bring me to life. I’m very passionate about it and joke that I live, eat and breath it.
Pricing:
- Contact me via phone for pricing 517-294-5066
Contact Info:
- Website: onespiritdanceandfitness.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057203990247
Image Credits
Photo credits to Rachel Rice, Angie Lavich, Judy Ax Kies, Andrew Lloyd of Warriors of the North Photography
