Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvia Salamanca.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Silvia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I came to Houston to finish my Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the age of 26. As I was walking through the world of science and pharmacy research, I realized I was not in agreement with many of the principles on how that world works. As I already was a life-long dancer and I had begun discovering the healing benefits of expressing the self through dance since I began Bellydancing at 22. So, I took a leap of faith and after finishing my Ph.D. I decided to push myself to perform and teach Bellydance classes in Houston. At the same time, I got myself to study again: this time a Master in Transpersonal therapy. So, I was aiming to create a space that would join Therapy, reclaiming the contact with the body, and dancing.
I have been blessed that my dance career has gone beyond my wildest dreams: I have been teaching fusion Bellydance – I blend it with flamenco – all over the world in Dance Festivals and Conventions for the past 13 years. As I combine touring with my local practice here, I also developed and directed local groups (Shunyata performed at the Texas Renaissance Festival for over eight years) and became a proud member of others (Urban Gypsy in the Tribal Bellydance world, and Belladonna for the Oriental Style) having regular performances all over town.
Ballam has weekly Bellydance classes well attended for all levels, and my private practice as a therapist is also in good shape. My last adventure is in directing family constellations, a fantastic modality of therapy that I’m currently most enthusiastic about.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say smoother rather than rockier: of course, in the beginning, there was a lot of hassle to let me known, find the proper space, establishing clientele… one of the happiest “coincidences” is that I found that first, Grace United Methodist Church, and then now, for the past four years, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, my dance studio and healing space found it’s home inside church facilities. That is a major help for me, given that commercial rent would require a whole redesigning of my business. Right now, I am blessed I can center my energy in my profession, not the commercial race.
Ballam Studio and Well-Being – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am proud to offer a space where the person can find an encounter with themselves through Bellydance and through therapy (not necessary to crisscross them!).
Love, inclusion, acceptance, encouragement, discovering parts of the self that are repressed, nurturing those parts… those are the things that you will find either you come in my dance classes or in my therapeutic space.
So, my biggest pride is that every single human being that comes in contact with me is not a number to fill in a space in a dance studio, or a case to dissect. I care deeply for those who come to Ballam. Which in the case of someone who tours internationally could be easily dismissed, but truly what motivates me is the love that I have for what I do, and the people that I work with.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Ah!! There are so many!! I don’t think I can choose one!!
From opening the studio to being called to places as far as Japan to teach, to debut my own company at the Texas Reinassance Festival, too -really- every single person that heals thanks to the work that they do with me.
Pricing:
- Group dance classes are 12$ each
- Private dance instruction is 70$ the hour
- Therapy sessions are 75$ the session (one hour and 30 min)
- Performances for private or corporate events are 200$ per 20 min of performance
Contact Info:
- Address: 2025 W11th Street 77008
- Website: Www.silviasalamanca.com
- Phone: 832-729-6454
- Email: silviabellydance@gmail.com
- Instagram: @salamanca.silvia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silvia.salamanca.50
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/Family-Constellation-Resolve-with-Silvia-Salamanca-PhD-546839278702928/
Image Credit:
Ron Maileux Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
