Who are you and what are your passions?

My name is Svetlana Timtsenko. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a friend, a dancer, an entrepeneur and I believe I was put on this earth to teach and share the wisdom of movement. I have grown from the greatest tragedy a mother can endure and I have reveled in the sheer bliss (and fatigue) of a baby that comes home.  I am a domestic engineer, though it’s not my strength, just ask the dust bunnies under my bed. :o)  My greatest priority is my family and its well being.  I consider myself extremely Blessed with a beautiful family and a tremendous group of friends whom I love very much.  I have heard that a persons’ character can be determined by the quality of their friends, if this is so, than I must be superwoman with a heart so big it could swallow the sea.  I really am that lucky.
I have danced since I was 5 and I am now the Artistic Director and Owner of the Arts In Motion, Perth School of Dance. It is here where I teach my passion, dance: the sport, the art, the creative outlet, the cultural identity, the tradition, the ancient, the abstract, the community, the expression, the discilpline and the vibrant joy.  Currently I teach Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Belly Dance and Creative Movement for the wee ones and of course Bellyfit! 
 
What do you love about teaching Bellyfit?

I love sharing the moves and grooves of women from centuries ago and watching the women of today find such joy and vitality in it.  I love the smiles you get. I love the music!  I love that I can say that this is part of my job! I love feeling the energy in the room at the very end when our eyes are closed and we’re quiet and calm..there is still a thrumming vibration that is almost audible. It is so beautiful to experience.

What is the most common feedback you receive from your participants about Bellyfit?

Women feel satisfaction!  They want the burn and the challenge and the opportunity to give themselves what they want and need.  I may be the only person in their day to ask them to breathe in what they need for themselves.  They love that its “Me time!”  They also love the music! Props to you DJ Rowan, thank you.

How do you feel that Bellyfit supports your lifestyle?

For me, Bellyfit is the perfect combination of sport science, artistic freedom and energy play.  Having been an athelete all my life, I value the intricacies of the Bellyfit system and the anatomical wisdom behind the moves. Dance has always been a part of my life and I feel most joyful when I dance and move my body to steps that have been used since the beginning of time.  The movement of energy is so vital to our well being and we need to understand that we can acutally manipulate our energy to heal ourselves and to bring us into balance. Bellyfit keeps me energized and feeling fabulous so that I can be my best self.  My classes require me to be very generous with my energy, everything gets poured into fledgling dancers and they take everything they can get…that’s their role.  Bellyfit is one of the only classes that gives DIRECTLY back as much as I give out.

What do you think are the qualities that make a great Bellyfit Instructor?

A great Bellyfit instructor is open, receptive and full of gratitude.  Even on the days of “Oh my God I hope no one shows up for class cause I’m so tired etc..”  and the participants walk into class, it’s a compliment to us and a responsibility for us to uphold.  It is such a precious responsibility and we need to be grateful for being one of the wonderful ladies that are charged to uphold it, so that others can change, grow and move and enjoy the benefits throughout their day, their week and their lives.

What is the #1 thing women need to do to stay healthy and fit? (other than Bellyfit)

Faith. Any Faith. If you have one, great! If you don’t, find one that fits.  The face of Faith has been marred by many hands and its meaning has been lost in this current age. Spiritual vitality is the corner stone and back bone of any person who wants well being.  Faith opens you to gratitude. It gives you the ability to look tragedy in the face and say “Even in my darkest moments I can spend more time being grateful than ungrateful. I look into the face of my path, like I lift my face to the sun. With an open heart and an open mind.”  I wrote this four years ago and it lives on my fridge between the pictures of my two children. I read it when I am crying and when I am full of joy.