Over the last year, Lila, of Seattle, Washington, has sponsored Suhaila in a 4 part series of workshops. (The last one being on November 11, 2001 with hints of more in 2002) I signed up for the first of this series having only heard a few rumors, and seen her video “Suhaila Unveiled.” All I knew to expect was a serious workout, and a new way to move. My expectations were significantly exceeded, and I immediately signed up for the remaining workshops. Based on what she has to say and how she conducts her workshops, Suhaila is on a mission; to teach as many women as possible how to develop a conscious mastery of their bodies, that will sustain them from a lifetime of injury free, quality dancing, in any style they choose. She is serious about her mission, and I adore and respect her for it. I even adore her as my thighs scream, my glutes go numb, and my calves feel battered, because I know I’ll be stronger for 3 days. She can take a lot out of a student, but she gives a lot. She has added a great deal of inspiration and education to my life in the last 3 workshops I’ve attended so far.

A workshop with Suhaila includes a 45-minute “warm-up” (read intense workout), a breakdown of isolations, followed by drills, and wonderful bits of inspiring humor and news about her projects. In the isolation section, she talks us through finding the correct muscle to create specific belly dance isolation. Probably the most unique part of Suhaila’s format is the use of glutes to produce hip work, in order to free the legs for travel and level changes. After working on the floor to isolate the glutes from the thighs and hamstrings, we do laps around the room doing things like single hip ups on the downbeat, traveling forward, backward, and to the side for a lap each. Then switching to single hip downs, and then combining half and double time or a turn every 4 counts.

A big plus with this instructor is that you don’t have to take notes if you buy her books, “Suhaila Salimpour Technique” Level 1 (Basics), and Level 2 (Beginning). They’re a bit expensive, but very useful. Every exercise, movement, drill, traveling step, floor pattern, everything is described in detail. They are beautifully organized, easy to follow and let you put together your own level of workout/practice session. They are simple spiral bound books, printed on one side of each page, with and 8 X 10 color photo of Suhaila on the cover. In my opinion, the books are a more useful resource in terms of expanding your workout/practice sessions with your growing strength, endurance and flexibility, than the video “Stretch and Tone,” except of course for those who learn best visually. I do enjoy the video and use it, but I am adding more and more from her books as I progress.

One last note of advice for students new to Suhaila; wear tights and jog bra, choli, or some other top which allows your ribcage and shoulder movements to be seen. I prefer tights and tank top. Take a simple (no beads or coins) for after the “warm-up.” And be sure to have with you a towel, a large bottle of water, and an energy snack.