Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance

They use a shame based approach to develop a loyal following of young women with little prior knowledge of belly dance who will pay ridiculous amounts of money. They claim to teach technical precision but the technical precision isn’t comparable to other educators, who I won’t name here.
There’s a lot of pressure in the air to fall subservient to the cult of Suhaila. Her mom was an amazing dancer. She is a successful businesswoman.
Part of how they operate is to create their own language and to drill into you that you aren’t learning properly if you don’t call things what they do. They will pretend to not understand if you don’t use their vocabulary. It feels like this place is operated by one giant personality disorder.
They take the approach to education that some take to horses — they want to break people to build them up again. Honestly, I would be down if the teachers were really beautiful, hypnotic dancers. But they aren’t.
It’s a cult. Don’t waste your money if you want to learn to be a beautiful belly dancer.
But if you are looking to tighten up your rump this class will help, hence the one star. Also, if you’re convinced that the only way to become great is through self hatred this probably is a good fit for you, too.

I came here for classes a few years ago. I live in Sacramento, and I really like Suhaila’s style. I had taken many workshops and classes by other instructors. In other bellydance classes, you learn how to do dance moves and then put them together in a choreography. You feel like you are dancing in those classes. This class was nothing like the other classes. In the other classes, I would have called myself an intermediate dancer. Dance classes and occasional gym workouts were my only exercise. When I attended Suhaila’s school, I can tell you that I really didn’t have the flexibility and conditioning to walk in as an intermediate dancer. I was barely a beginner. For about 4 months, I drove from Sacramento to Berkeley 3 times a week for classes while I was unemployed. I took the Dancer’s conditioning class sometimes before the bellydance class to help work on my flexibility and coordination. I was never very great a choreography. When I went, the studio was clean, and they had an instructor teaching the class. Sometimes, Suhaila was there. And there were a couple of other helpers in the room who would walk around and correct form. The class was structured where you did a workout/​warmup for about 30 minutes and then you did drills for about 25 minutes, and then choreography for about 5 minutes. They move really fast. They don’t really break down what they mean when they say your feet will be moving at half time, and you’ll do singles at quarter time with the downbeat on the right, and then you hop to it around the room.
I felt like I was the least flexible person in the room who just wasn’t getting it. But I kept going. I felt that the women were helpful and friendly, and I felt accepted while I was there. Of course, I felt wrung out by the time I left the class, but that could be because I was seriously out of shape. I had very little core strength. But I persisted. I met up with a girlfriend there who was much more physically fit than I, and she was told she could move to Level 2 about 3 weeks before Suhaila told me I could move to Level 2. I went to one Level 2 class, which was super tough. I couldn’t quite put all of the different moves and instruction together — but I’m sure I would have gotten better had I not found a job. I was really sad not to be able to continue classes because the I really liked the ability to pop and lock and really articulate the movements that these classes gave me. I mean, when you watch these dancers shimmying, they aren’t just jiggling their knees up and down to get the movements. They are clenching their butt cheeks super fast. What control!
When they first made their online classes available, I didn’t feel that I could see what they were doing, but they’ve improved that. I took one of the level 1 classes last night, and I did much better this time around — but I’ve also done yoga, pilates, barre, and have had some ballet. I wasn’t feeling so wrecked after the class and actually felt that my form was better on the warmup. Of course, since I haven’t been drilling on the format for a few years, I know I didn’t get all of the glute squeezes in time on the right beat and truthfully don’t have the floor space to keep it going like the drills in class.
I do recommend going to Suhaila’s classes, but keep in mind that they aren’t a dancey class where you are working on a choreography throughout the entire class. The music is great, but they teach you the Suhaila format, and you learn how to isolate your muscles. They drill it into you. You spend a lot of time drilling 3 or 4 things simultaneously. Give it a try.

I was filled with anticipation and excitement for a whole week looking forward to my first class here! I’m a very well prepared person so I called early this afternoon to confirm that tonight’s class would take place since I was coming a distance. The young lady who answered the phone confirmed that it would and gave me directions to the studio. Just to be safe for my first time, I left Marin an hour ahead of time to be certain I would be in the building and ready for class. I got caught in the usual and expected traffic but the receptionist’s directions were incorrect. While on the road, I Googled the directions but they were misleading so I called the studio over and over hoping someone would answer the phone for correct directions– no one answered. When I finally arrived, I was 20 minutes late. Exhausted from a lack of good directions, I found 4 people and a teacher in class stretching. The teacher approached the reception desk to assist me and I explained that I was there for the class as a new student. She told me that because I was 20 minutes late I would not be permitted to join it! I explained that the reason I was 20 minutes late was because of their directions! She wouldn’t budge. I had just driven one hour and twenty minutes to get there, including bridge toll, gas, etc… and she didn’t have the courtesy or business sense to make a one time allowance for a NEW and potentially long term customer to join the class! I left the building fuming! As I left I also realized that she was not Suhaila the owner who I expected to be teaching the class in the first place (as listed on the website near the class name/schedule?)…the main reason I went there in the first place. I can’t rate their teaching, but I’m giving them one star for doing very bad business. It’s too bad. I’m not new to belly dancing so I would have most likely been a regular here since Marin is low on teachers.
Side Note: Unless I missed something during my two minutes there… the «school» as it turned out was a surprisingly tiny, tiny room given the grand advertising (photos of hundreds of dancers in a studio) for this place and its owner. And the «shop» consisted of two or so racks of clothing in front of the store upon entry? This place seems to be a scam.
P. s.: I’m going to look for another place, but in the meantime there are a host of excellent and free belly dancing classes on Youtube that one can do in the comfort of their own home. No incompetent receptionists, rude service, travel time, etc…

I have not been to this class yet, but have been practicing with her instructional videos which were handed down to me by my cousin! I can’t wait to attend class at the mothership as I’m working on my strength I don’t feel strong enough to be able to keep up. I read the review at the bottom and I do feel for the woman who had issues but at the same time, I do not understand why anyone would go to class without prepping in advance first. Doing your research and first learning the basics of the dance and working on your fitness a bit before jumping in. This is what I’m doing as I am still learning. I feel this helps if you are new to any new fitness routine or dance education. The online free 3 day was also very helpful because you can see exactly what you will be doing once you are inside! I feel this school is going above and beyond with videos and instruction to help you along. It just seems silly in this day and age to go to a dance class when you have not worked up the stamina to enjoy it a little. I definitely don’t want to go into this being completely lost to where I’m disrespecting the other students.

I’ve had a great experience at the studio. The classes are challenging with lots of drills and technique. But if you stick with it it’s a great program. The classes are also a great full body workout. It’s good to know in advance that in the Suhaila level one classes, there is very little time for choreography and no zumba-​style follow along dance. A lot of time is spent circling the room in drills that help you develop muscle control, coordination, good posture, and that graceful captivating belly dancing style.

Very nice staff. Fun to work with, great instructors. Went to one of their free performances and had a great time.

I’ve been going to Suhaila’s studio for almost a year now. I have not found a way to express how much it has changed my life. No one has ever stood for my greatness like Suhaila and Andrea. They fight for what I can do & don’t fall for my fears or excuses. Yes its challenging, I push myself hard & smile at my progess. The other students are also very kind and amazing. I look at them & tell myself «Thats my goal.»
I have gotten incredibly stronger. Not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I feel like Wonder Woman when I leave there.
I went from cursing and squealing in class to deep breathing with better transitions.
This class is not for wimps. If you’re one to fight for what you can’t do and never follow thru with commitments then this might not be for you.

I looked forward to the technical style of teaching and technique advertised as I approached my first class– the level one beginners drop-​in. As a young 54 year-​old who has led a sedentary few years in graduate school, I had lost much of my strength and flexibility of late, and as I age. But I have enjoyed dance classes on and off for many years as my preferred exercise plan– including belly dance. My goal was to take courses over the four weeks that I was visiting here to get fitter.
In class, so many students were extremely flexible, and the warm-​up was good, but demanding. Alas, I was unable to either kneel on the wood floor, nor accomplish 20 boys push-​ups. I modified the kneeling parts to keep up with the class, and also did a plank for 10 counts, instead of the push-​ups, until my arms were shaking. Then, I dropped flat and tightened my core as I let my arms recover so I would be able to continue with the class as the push-​ups part were done. This is when my class experience was abruptly ended in the warm-​up.
The secondary teacher come over to me and said that there was etiquette that I was infringing, as I recovered my arms (for 5 counts?) in the layout position on the floor. In addition, that I was affecting the energy of the whole class. She asked me to follow her and was escorted me out of the room. I was surprised and taken aback, but wanted to respond gracefully, so I quietly followed her and got dressed to leave.
I did try to speak with her outside of the class as I prepared to leave. I shared that I was trying, but apparently was not as strong as I hoped to be. She mentioned that modifications were acceptable, yet, had not offered any to me. I must admit that I was slightly mortified by this experience and have had disturbed sleep trying to imagine what I could have done differently to not «offend my class’s energy/​etiquette», as it was claimed. In my other dance/​yoga/​exercise classes over the years, including belly and flamenco at the SF ballet school, I have always had such good class experiences, even if/​when I was not as strong or flexible as some of the other students, and self-​modified if needed. I was always made to feel welcome and appreciated in all my dance classes in the past.
I am not really sure why my class behavior was interpreted this way. This treatment makes me feet a bit like the older, sick animal in the herd that gets culled out by the predator for dinner– as I was «culled» out of this beginner’s class, as perhaps, the oldest, and least flexible one there. Yet, even today, I am still graceful, love dance, feeling strong, I was working my body to its potential in class at that moment, and, I was mostly keeping up. I was really looking forward to the core strengthening and isolations and technique. But, I was not able to experience or take advantage of any of it.
As it was the Unilocal reviews that encouraged me to attend SSS, I felt that others similar to my condition/​age might want to be forewarned that a kneeling pad and strong upper arm strength seems to be a prerequisite for the warm-​up in level one drop-​in class and allowing one to participate in the classes there. Be wary of the possibility that you ability will be perceived as not measuring up, and then being asked to leave because you are affecting the «energy» of the class.

What can I say except ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I will admit, that these classes are not for the light-​hearted. Meaning yes, you may be sore the next day — especially legs/​glutes. But in my book that’s a BIG PLUS!!! Even for me (I’ve been taking classes consisitently for four years now), I took two weeks off for the holidays and died my first class back! But its such a wonderful and amazing environment and there is always something new to learn, that I cannot get enough!
So what can you expect?
A challenging warm-​up to start off. These classes are 1hr and 30 minutes just so that they could add a SOLID warm-​up to the class. You will more than likely be beading sweat and your muscles will be warmed-​i[ properly to begin the technique part of the class. So, following the will be the technique part of the class where you will drill a certain movement (s) for a solid hour going around in a circle in the room or just facing the mirror. And many times, towards the end of class, a short choreography including the technique you learned will be included. Finally you will end with a 5-​minute warm-​down and a smile on your face.
Now, if you are looking for a zumba/​u-​jam/​cardio dance type-​of-​class THIS IS NOT IT! And there’s nothing wrong with that… I have a cardio hip hop class that I love! But would you go to a beginning ballet class expecting that type of cardio burn the entire time? Of course not. They’re different beasts. This is a real BELLYDANCE TECHNIQUE class. It’s core focus is to improve your technique in the DANCE FORM. But it will get your heart-​rate up, and it will get your muscles working in ways you didn’t even think was possible before! Each week will focus on a particular movement (glute control for your «shimmies», hip/​chest Figure 8’s, hip & chest circles/​locks, body undulations, etc) and all with different timing and downbeats. Also interegrated into the program is finger cymbals technique and general dance technique, which all get increasingly difficult as you move up in the classes. You were learn proper body alighnment. You will learn grace. You will learn about this amazing, beautiful, ancient dance form and in a supportive environment.
Suhaila herself, the owner of the studio, has been dancing and performing in this format… well, since she could walk. Her mother Jamila is a well known bellydancer and teacher in her own right (who actually still teaches at the studio once a month) so Suhaila was basically BORN for this format. However, she is not just a trained bellydancer — she is trained in various dance forms including ballet, jazz, tap, etc. So knowledge in dance is not an issue at this studio.
What else can I say? All the teachers at this studio are amazing and teach because they love to teach. I love these ladies and cannot say enough! They are all supportive and extremely knowledgeable.
Oh! And as a bonus, your first class is free as a brand-​new student! So what are you waiting for? Com on in!

The best belly dance school to learn solid technique! Dancers travel from all over the planet to attend Suhaila workshops, and we are so lucky to have her located in the heart of the bay area!
Free class cards for first-​time students are a great way to get introduced to the format. Come with a towel and water bottle… seriously kickin’ workout.
Love this studio!!!

I’ve taken classes on and off with Suhaila for 7 years and am considering committing to the membership, which is big!
Her basic classes make me feel like I’ve worked every muscle. My core is a lot stronger, my butt tighter and my overall mood better after just one class a week. She’s all about technique and building the muscles needed for bellydance, or even for just sitting, walking and standing.
Beginner level classes focus on core movements followed up by 10 minutes of choreography. You’re not «dancing» the whole class, but building basic movements for more complicated dance combinations. She breaks down the movements with time signatures and names them, which makes it easier to teach legions of dancers her formula. It’s a more westernized way of learning, but has helped me learn the movements so they’re second nature.
The classes ain’t cheap ($ 18 as of now) but I consider it like getting a personal trainer along with dance training. No other bellydance class works me as intensely, and they’re usually an hour an a half long, which you may not get elsewhere. I quit my gym membership – this is way more fun!

i went for a lunch class this week, which i have not done before. to preface, this is only my second suhaila studio class. i have been belly dancing in the area for almost 3 years from a variety of teachers.
1– the place smelled like a hospital. um, is there any reason for a rather distracting rubbing alcohol smell? go easy on the harsh cleansers here people.
2– the floor was pretty filthy– like no one had swept recently. get a lot of dancers together and you get a lot of hair, especially. there’s no class before this 12 o’clock one– please sweep before we get started, eh?
3– the class itself was ok. the teacher (not suhaila) was nice enough, and seemed to know the suhaila system well, but if you know much about the body and dancing you can hear inconsistencies in the teaching.
the teacher was very nice, asked if we had injuries, etc., but in general wasn’t as charismatic as i like my teachers to be. i’m picky though.
just be careful with some of the power stretching in the warm up. they just assume it works for everyone, and there are things we did that raised little red flags for me who is prone to injuries.
i also would like to say that though i am somewhat experienced, i like to get corrections on my form. there were only 3 other people in the class, and i felt that because i was more experienced, i did not get almost any attention/​corrections. and i’m sure i need them.
would i got back? yep, for sure. it was a good workout and i felt like a million bucks after– focused for the rest of my day.

This is where you wanna go to learn real honest to goodness belly dancing! When I leave this class I’m sweaty and winded. I work out several times a week and am in pretty decent shape, yet I get a great butt kicking when I go here. After coming here I realize I’m having to unlearn lots of bad habits I picked up by watching belly dancing videos with poor instruction. So if your thinking you’ll save yourself some money by just buying a video, think again! It is slightly pricey, but the instruction is so good that I feel like I’m getting my moneys worth.

I cannot say enough about the repertoire that Suhaila employs for her dance program. Build strength, grace and take charge of yourself in her bellydance format. Challenges at ever level. For the serious dancer and those who want to really get in shape.

Great workout! THe class starts off with normal warm up and exercise routine (sit ups, push ups, etc) & then they get nitty gritty into belly dance routines. I had a great time. BUT it’s super expensive! The first class is free & that’s nice, as well as appreciated, but the actual packages to be a member or continue going are intolerable, unless of course you can afford it :)

It is a great place to gain a perspective on bellydance. Suhaila and her mother offer a great perspective into the world of middle eastern dance.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t started dancing at SSSD. It’s more than just a place to dance, it’s a community, a community of amazing women (and sometimes men!) who share a passion for dance and expression.
I randomly took one class last summer, and then it took me a few months to come around and dance on a regular basis. People dance at SSSD for different reasons, and for me it was a way to stop exercising and to start moving. It’s not that I wasn’t active, I just hate gyms and exercising for the sake of exercising. I used to be an avid runner, but after dancing for almost a year now my running shoes don’t get much use anymore. My knees are very thankful for that, I’m sure.
While things have been changing a bit in the past few months — Suhaila recently opened another school in Las Vegas, and we have some new faces teaching classes (yay, Kitiera!) — I don’t think there’s ever a bad time to be at the school. In fact, Suhaila has been teaching some classes lately since she just got back from her world tour!
Learning the Suhaila format is as challenging mentally as it is physically — I’ve likened my experience of trying to master my muscles as being analogous to learning to play a musical instrument. I like that once you think you’ve actually conquered something there’s another challenge to step-​up to. Besides, it seems that when I’m struggling with a move and thinking that it’s the hardest thing, if I look in the mirror at the resulting funny expressions on everyone’s faces (including my own) it’s hard not to laugh and have a good time.

Update:
The rates have gone up, but they are still reasonable — about what you’d pay for a dance class anywhere.
They also moved down the block so it’s now on the Albany side of El Cerrito Plaza — a little farther to walk from BART, but still doable, and the parking is MUCH better!
I moved into the city so don’t make it here much anymore, but whenever I do I am never disappointed. The teaching is consistently good. The school emphasizes building a strong foundation for movement, and it has been invaluable to me now that I’m taking classes closer to my new home.
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I love this school! I’ve been taking classes here for about a year. The teachers are great, and they offer a variety of classes: technique, dance movement, folkloric fusion, and choreography.
And it doesn’t matter if you just want the exercise, are a beginning dancer or advanced, if you have a particular style or not. Anyone, of any gender and creative persuasion, will be welcomed and will learn something.
What else? There’s usually quite a lot of street parking, and it’s about 2 blocks from the El Cerrito Plaza BART.
The studio itself is spacious and clean, with sprung floors, good mirrors and wall mounted ballet bar (used mostly in dance movement class).
If you go frequently (I take on average 3 classes a week), it’s cheaper to become a member and buy a 10 class card. It’s $ 100 and good for 3 months — and 10 bucks a class is definitely a competitve price. But, if you only drop in occassionaly, the drop-​in rate makes more sense.
I take dance classes elsewhere, too, but this is definitely my home base. The location, price, studio and teaching are excellent.
And, it’s close to Trader Joes — so I can get groceries on my way home.

I love the SSSD, but I only gave them one star because I had a prepaid card that expired and they wouldn’t extend it. I was a member for about 6 months, but that didn’t matter. They have a policy and that’s that. It’s unfortunate because I love the classes and the teachers (specifically Kendra), but if I paid cash for classes, my cash shouldn’t expire.