Politti Ashcraft

Politti Ashcraft has studied bellydance for over 18 years, with a strong focus on the beautiful and varied styles of Tribal Style Bellydance. Inspired by the diverse cultures of the world, her progressive dance style is an engaging blend of the sacred and contemporary, by way of fluid movement and grace.

In her eternal quest for bellydance knowledge, Politti has studied with some of the most talented and gracious dancers in the industry. She continues to learn and grow in her dance by frequently promoting and attending bellydance workshops and festivals in and around the So. Cal area. Politti also travels around the U.S. (whenever she can!) performing and teaching specialty bellydance workshops, bringing her own brand of Movement Art to the Bellydance Community.

In February 2008, Politti became the proud owner of: Art Through Movement at The Oasis Dance Studio; "A Glittering Gem in So. Cal's Inland Empire" She strives to honor the community aspect of the dance in her classes along with an emphasis on studying this art form as a discipline. She enjoys instilling her students with a passion for the dance, just as her teachers before her did.

Politti has earned her General Skills for ATS (American Tribal Style) Bellydance AND ATS Teacher Certifications from Carolena Nericcio, director & founder of FatChanceBellyDance, and has completed and passed her BASI (Body Arts & Science International) Comprehensive Teacher Training Program.

Politti is pleased to announce the birth of: Strawberry Butterfly!
Strawberry Butterfly is a new So. Cal dance company directed by Politti Ashcraft and assisted by Hasseenah. We are a small group of renegade performance artists, who, while pure in our ATS Bellydance roots, are not afraid to think outside the proverbial box and create chaos whenever and wherever it is needed. Stay tuned for more information and news about this exciting new dance company!

Those who have deeply touched Politti's life and encourage her art include:
Hasseenah: Fabulous assistant
Frederique: A constant inspiration and dear friend
Mihoko Powers: Beloved Japanese Dance instructor
Carolena Nericcio: The source
Krisha Kazimira: First bellydance “Mama”
Carl Martz (Politti's dad): Always there to support his “crazy artistic daughter”
Diana Glance: The most supportive friend one could ever ask for

Politti dedicates her dance to the memory of her mother.

The Oasis Dance Studio was founded and operated by Sariana (formerly known as Basima) until 2008, when she turned over the keys to Politti Ashcraft. Sariana is a professional performing bellydancer, who also serves as artistic director for the Jewels of the Desert Dance Troupe. Sariana discovered bellydance in 1988 during a trip to Egypt and has been performing and teaching for more than five years. She brings to bellydancing over 30 years of dance experience, including ballroom, jazz, and ballet.

Sariana holds a B. A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Davis, and a M. A. in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University. She is currently the director of the Yucca Valley Hi-Desert Nature Museum. Sariana has studied Middle Eastern culture and traveled in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait. Sariana has taken workshops with internationally renowned dance instructors including Sahra Saeeda, Dina, Mahmoud Reda, Dr. Mo Gedawi, Aziza, Jillina, and Hadia. Sariana studied in the Washington D.C. area with Latifa, Faten Salama, and Anthea Poole (Kawakib). Her specialties include Egyptian Oriental and folkloric styles, to include: Cane, Melaya Luff, Veil, Sword, Finger Cymbals, and Wings of Isis.

Sariana was a featured dancer at Nader's Middle Eastern Cafe in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was a member of the Banat al-Beled Dance Troupe, performing at the Casablance Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia and Hellas Greek Restaurant in Maryland. She has also performed at cultural fairs, school events, nursing homes, senior centers, and conducted bellygrams for birthdays and anniversaries. Sariana currently performs at VillageFest in Palm Springs and teaches a weekly bellydance class in Yucca Valley. She recently had a three part article regarding dance workshops published in "Zaghareet" magazine.

Sariana is dedicated to learning, performing, and sharing this beautiful dance form with her students.

Edenia has always been into dancing... In Junior High she learned the style of popping from hip hop dancing, and watching break-dancers. She had an interest in bellydance from a young age, but when she saw her first Rachel Brice video She was hooked! She began taking bellydance classes in August 2006 with Zahreen, to whom she will always be grateful to, for getting her “out there” to perform.

Edenia can be seen performing her unique bellydance style of Pops, Locks & Bellydance Fusion, almost weekly in and around the Inland Empire in So. Cal; AND she has recently starred in her first music video by Stereognosis!  Edenia loves all styles of dance and says that every dancer out there is an inspiration to her as she continues to grow with her passion in life. Check out Edenia on the web: www.edeniabellydance.com

Cheyenne has been involved with Martial arts for over 10 years. He began as a Muay Thai Boxing student, then progressed to competitive fighting. He's been studying Tai Chi with Shifu Newton at Tai Mantis Kung Fu for more than 5 years.

Cheyenne is also a Certified Massage Therapist, and can perform the following massage styles: Sweddish, Trigger Point, Sports Massage, Accupressure, Shiatsu (table or traditional floor mat), Reflexology, Deep Tissue, and Theraputic Stretching. In addition to his martial arts and massage skills, Cheyenne is also a personal trainer, currently working at Bally's.

Contact Cheyenne to schedule a massage, a personal training session, or to get more information about Tai Chi: 909-991-5284