'Normally as a performer, to hear the audience hissing would be a huge insult. In Arabic culture however hissing at a dancer implies she moves like a snake, with no bones in her body, and is therefore a great compliment. To watch the dancer Lorna Gow, you may be fooled into believing that this was indeed the case. Her style is renowned for its suppleness, fluidity and mesmerising qualities'.

At the age of 21, after living in Scotland all my life with no dance experience, I attended my first ever dance class and was instantly hooked. The numerous benefits of bellydance, and the enjoyment it gives, eventually persuaded me to quit my full time job in an office and pursue dance as a career, at the same time as completing my degree in psychology. The degree was got, and the dance career now takes up every moment of my time, performing and teaching.

Regular classes and Workshops are taught around the country. Weekly classes with all ages
(3-83!!), abilities ( including people with special needs ) and resources ( including young people in secure units ) are taught across Edinburgh. I also teach regularly in Dundee, Stirling, St.Andrews and Glasgow. Regular trips to Egypt ensure that my students are kept up to dates with the latest crazes and costumes, as well as providing a solid base of authentic information to teach from.

I also teach African dance and in my spare time I dance Latin American Salsa ( and learning Argentinean Tango!! ). My dance style has greatly influenced the 'Ladies styling' seen in many of the salsa dancers in Scotland. For salsa buffs out there, you may have seen me perform at the salsa Club Cubana-'Pontins' event in Dec 2000, and March 2001. I will be perfoming at the International Dance Festival in Amsterdam in June.

Arabian Theme nights are also a huge hit for Corporate Entertainment. I perform solo , or with a select group of girls, to either pre-recorded music or with a small group of musicians,
(See music).Workshops are a fun way of breaking the ice between colleagues ( male and female alike!!! ) and are also a novel idea for promoting health among the workforce.

Dancing keeps me fit, sane and surrounded with wonderful people and music. I recommend it to everybody!

If you would be interested in discussing opportunities within your business, community, school etc for a dance performance, class or workshop, please feel free to contact me bellylorna@hotmail.com