Laura Entwined

Laura Miller aka Laura Entwined

Age: 44

Where you are from: South East Queensland originally

Where you live: Currently Melbourne-based in Australia

The more juicy ones:

1. This is who I am in the world….

I am director/principle/instructor at Entwined Bellydance & Yoga, established in 2009. I started learning bellydance in 2005 not long after I moved to Melbourne, and began performing in 2006 with a student troupe, then professionally in 2009. I taught the odd workshop from 2010 onwards, but started teaching consisten weekly classes in Melbourne in 2013, and online in 2020/21. In the past few years I have also completed pilates and yoga teacher trainings.

I am a mother of two young boys, 9 and 6 and live in the northern suburbs in Melbourne.

Before I was a bellydancer, I worked in the arts, music and community sector for 20years in Brisbane and Melbourne.

I came to dance late – in my late 20's as a form of fitness/health/recreation and because of back pain, and absolutely fell in love with it; and after years of dedication and study decided I wanted to do something more in dance.

About 2-3 years ago when I turned 40, I left my Music Industry job of 9 years due to some discrimination I felt in my workplace after I returned from work after my 2nd child to become a full-time mum and artist/dance teacher/performer. It was a big hit financially and also to my confidence, but at least I was doing what I loved and moving my body.

I wanted to ignite that special feeling, transformation, confidence, creativity and aliveness I felt from dance in other women. I felt a massive transformation for my self-confidence and body image after I'd danced for a while. I had previously suffered from depression, lack of self esteem and poor body image. It also reduced my back pain and helped me become stronger.

I was also particularly interested to help other mums dance, as I experienced many challenges after my first child trying to make it to performances or classes. I wanted to improve accessibility and inclusiveness. At the time I started, I was also interested in bringing together body conditioning as part of a dance practice for those wanting to embody their dance and bodies on a deeper level, showing women healthy and supportive ways to evolve in dance. How you didn't have to be a typical body type or done dance as a kid to enjoy the benefits of dance!

2. This is the story that I want rewritten for women…..

I have witnessed or experienced verbal, physical and sexual assaults from my time in school at aged 13/14, working as a bellydancer in bars in Melbourne, and bullying and nepotism in the music and bellydance communities.

Even now when I experience bullying or inappropriate touch, words or behaviours from others I struggle to stick up for myself and tend to freeze. I tend to avoid conflict as much as possible and run and hide. I want women to have the confidence to use their voice to say “no”, “that's not right”, “you shouldn't do that”, “say that”, “touch or treat me that way”. I want women to feel confident and supported to stand up for themselves, stand up to bullying whether it be at school, in the work-place, from their neighbour, in a bar, any situation.... and for women to have appropriate means to appeal discriminatory choices against them in the workplace, particularly after they have children.

I don't want women to be verbally abused or bullied when they are doing their jobs, or don't respond to sexual advances. I don't want women to be told that they brought it on themselves or it was their fault from their male colleagues and peers. I want women to have respectful and supportive workplaces and not be subjected to unethical behaviours.

I wasted so many years in my 20's and then about 2years from 2011 to 2013 experiencing disconnection from my community, isolation, depression and anxiety around not following my dream and feeling not good enough. I want other women to have the strength and confidence to support and pursue their dreams because (as I was once told), “life's too short” not to do what you love. It sound obvious, but for me, it was the encouragement I needed to get started and not be afraid, and with the support of my peers and teacher it became a reality.

People often see the end product but so much work, time, effort when into getting me to where I am today.

3. This is the story that I next want to write for myself….

I want to take my Dance/Yoga/Movement School wider and to an international audience. Through Covid lockdowns in Melbourne, I had to move my business online and connected with a small national audience/client base so I am hoping to continue to grow with that in 2022.

I am also hoping to continue to present my own full-length shows in Melbourne with my dance team, showcasing the beautiful art of bellydance with my students as well as the beauty of women dancing together.

I want to buck stereotypes, show that women can perform in dance even in their 40's and after they have had kids! And also stand up alongside women half my age doing what I love.

I want promoters and events producers in Australia to support ageing women performers and artists and also pay them appropriately, as I see a lot of festivals in this country de-value performers, not pay them adequately, and also not supporting them as they get older.

I want to continue to inspire women to become artists and performers.... know that you don't have to fit the mold or be a life-long dancer to excel.... time, passion and dedication as most important..... that you can be a mum and have it all!