What an exciting, fun, and exhilarating week of dance and learning. For each day I have chosen one word: awesome, fabulous, wonderful, transforming, empowering are only a few words to describe the first week long workshop with Suhaila and Jamila. It was a dance experience that shifts your concept on the art and technique of the dance.

Each day we awaited and anticipated a new expression of movement as we learned the conceptual art form of the dance through system, movement, commanding our bodies and layering. Suhaila's form of teaching is an awakening of one's own body and what can actually be done with proper training and discipline. Her capacity to breakdown a step and give you the means by which to attain the movement is as one student stated on the last day "Your ability to breakdown is beyond anything I've ever experienced". And we all agreed. The choreography, which we practiced almost daily, was awesome. When we all first observed Suhaila and members of her troop perform the "Drum Solo" we thought how we will learn this is one week and didn't look easy, but with great success by Sunday, we had not only learned the whole routine, we were doing the routine with Suhaila on our faces. Suhaila we love you.

This created such a personal sense of us. Suhaila describes it as "Women Power" with Susu Pampanin on the drums we experienced the true essence of "Women Power" and we flexed are muscles with joy.

We were also honored with the teaching of Jamila Salimpour (Suhaila's Mom and teacher) on the cymbals which was great fun. She gave a history of the dance and the essence of the movements "It is an expression of a woman's sensuality". Jamila showed us wonderful old movies daily from her own personal collection, what a treat. What a phenomenal experience to have two generations of master teachers bring their wealth of information of the dance from 1940's to 2000. Isabella, Suhaila's daughter, a two year old graced us with her presence and rocked a few moves. Each day Suhaila gave an intensive warm up that gave our calves and gluteus a major pump. "Life is worth Living" was the soundtrack played and for me it became my personal tune for the week. Women came from all over, Atlanta, Hawaii, Florida, Vancouver, Santa Barbara, St. Louis, Austin Texas, Los Angeles and even as far as Amsterdam to share in this great week of dance and certification. Most had come because they needed a new experience, a new vision of the dance. Some had studied with Suhaila previously in workshops and some had only heard of her awesome teaching and performance skills via word of mouth but for all of us the weeklong workshop had changed our experience of the dance and we were excited once again about our related passion, the dance.

By day four we had almost completed the choreography and now had the opportunity to study drumming with Susu. Susu brings to the drums what Suhaila brings to the dance. They are a team of one expression and they shared how "Fate" brought them together which explains the title of their drum CD "Fate" of which I'm sure every workshop student purchased. Susu you are the bomb, keep drumming and sharing your drum power, we love you.

To all those that received their certification, what a special moment so much information, so much dedication. What a sense of accomplishment. As Suhaila handed out each written exam she sealed them with a kiss of love. Her support with each student in such a personal way was so encouraging. Also special thanks to the team of assistants that gave their very personal attention so graciously, Saab for example for all her special attention to small details. Andre who at times is called "Mr. Suhaila", your dedication and professionalism is right on time, keep shining.

As Sunday arrived there was such a sense of accomplishment and personal empowerment for all. As we completed the choreography and Suhaila made it so very "accessible" for us we now truly understood the title of the dance completely. Amazingly we were able to learn a second choreography the "Stomach Dance" and review the first choreography step by step. We had received so much in one week our minds and bodies were overflowing with new information and accomplishment. We would purchase videos, CD's, Books to enhance this experience and take it home with us as we were also able to purchase the Make-up line that Suhaila and her dance troop use in their performances, Special Colors, tribal, Cabaret and disco packages already assembled make the shopping quite "accessible". Suhaila shared special Make-up tips that create an illusion on and off stage that compliments each woman. Suhaila your talents are endless.

Sunday night the Hafla dinner was a huge success with dances performed by students and dance Company members, the evening was delightful. Rashid mesmerized us with his captivating and most difficult tray dance bringing back the memory of Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat. He was awesome as he glistened across the floor in his shimmering gold ensemble that dazzled the audience. Rashid your one of a kind what a treasure "Happy Birthday" July 23. And of course the special performance by Suhaila herself. As she makes her entrance the whole room in awe her performance left most speechless especially for those of us who know the level of mastery it takes to perform at level. She shimmers in the moves in a black and silver costume that is a special Suhaila design. She captivates her audience with presence and power as she takes up on a journey of magical movement we are entranced as she unveils her soul in dance and passion we are enthralled. The Musicians play to her movement and the audience is shouting behind me "she's the best, she's the best, she's the best."