Badass of the Week: Alyssa Naamah Gastelum

Naamah is a Modern Oriental-Fusion bellydancer and women’s advocate from San Antonio, Texas. Inspired by the beautiful dancers she saw on TV as a young girl, she began dancing as a hobby when she was a teenager, and turned professional in her early twenties. After beginning a professional career as a dancer, Naamah realized her desire to help other women shed their worries and join in the healing energy of dance. Upon completion of her instructor’s certification, she decided to begin holding open workshops for the community called “The Goddess Workout”. Through this workshop, she promotes body positivity, confidence, feminine empowerment, health, and wellness. These monthly workshops are held at Smash Dance Studio where a portion of the proceeds from each class goes to project SMASH.

Project SMASH is a 501c3 nonprofit organization set up to help provide underprivileged kids with dance scholarships and also send instructors to women’s shelters where they offer special workshops focused on building self-esteem and confidence.

When Naamah isn’t holding workshops at Smash, she is performing around the community at local events as well as private gatherings. She has a passion for the arts and thrives in the local dance community with her unique style of oriental dance. Though she loves to dance all around the country, she can often be found performing at local venues such as Victoria’s Black Swan Inn where she can share her love with fellow performers.

In addition to her dancing and community involvement, Naamah is also a full-time wife and mother to a young daughter, who is the light of her life.
For more information, visit her website at Naamah-arts.com