The highlight of my week! I find your enthusiasm and your talent really inspiring.

Just to say how much I enjoyed the stick dance last night..fantastic! Thank you, you're a great teacher and an inspiration to the inner Goddess within us all!

Sally Johnson

You're just the best bellydance teacher ever…I really noticed the effect that not [taking your classes] had on my body and posture…when I've been doing classes regularly it's a million times better! Makes me feel amazing after every session.

I so loved week two (of the course) yesterday. Thank you for giving me a big smile! You're ace!

Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of Egyptian dance - it came at a very difficult time of my life and gave me the courage to smile again.

I've enjoyed every class I have taken with you. I love how you pass on to us everything that you learn and make every class fun! Thank you for all the effort I know you put in, and especially for your patience! We just love you, and appreciate everything you have done for us.

I started going to Helena’s classes in 2009 after I had been bellydancing for a year. I have been to many different bellydance teachers and love coming to Helena’s lessons. Through regularly going to Helena’s classes I have learnt many advanced techniques including the elusive triplet shimmy! This is not surprising when you are learning from such elegant and technical dancer.

Helena is generous with her time and knowledge and gets to know you, your dancing style and body very well. This means Helena is great at pinpointing those things you can do to take your dancing up another notch. I have danced at many local haflas and at several ‘Casino el Layl’ shows.

Feedback I have received are that I was one of the ‘highlights of the night’ and have been described by Arabs as a ‘proper dancer’ and ‘the best dancer here’.

Through dancing I have been able to express myself to music in a way I felt I always wanted to. I have found inspiration to improve my physical health and have lost over 2 stone in my quest to be a better dancer.

Umalini Kathirgamanathan

Thanks for your advice, you are such a lovely teacher to have…I really appreciate that you teach us to be professional and give us something to aspire to.

Helena is a very artistic and knowledgeable dancer and teacher. Being one of her students, I explore the art of oriental dance. A worthy experience!

I started Helena's classes during University after having a couple of classes down in Essex. After seeing Helena perform I really began to fall in love with the dance and, since taking classes with her, my love for the dance has only grown.

She's a really inspirational dance teacher who identifies your style immediately and really works to bring your dancing to the highest quality. Apart from anything else she has massively increased my confidence in my dancing ability. I've got a job down in Essex at the moment but I can't wait to get back to Leeds and carry on where I left off!

Claire Medleycott

Just wanted to drop you a little note to say how much I enjoyed last night's workshop...even if my arms are aching like hell! I am a big fan of using the arms and hands in my dance, so the class was a great insight."

Thank you for the great classes and being so patient with me, I really enjoyed it!

I attended Helena's classes from 2008 till last year, stopping only as I got married and have a baby on the way. I took the classes to lose weight after my first-born - and lost nearly 4 stone.

[Belly dance] turned from a weight loss exercise to a hobby I love and then to being part of an agency as a professional dancer, getting booked for workshops, parties, weddings etc.

As soon as my baby is born I shall be joining Helena and the girls again and going in for round 2. I miss them greatly and look forward to seeing them soon!

Tammy Turner