How to Prepare for a Workshop

Due to the physically intensive nature and duration of Suhaila's workshops, we recommend you prepare in two or more of the following ways at least two weeks in advance of your workshop date:

  • Leg strengthening exercises including calf raises and stretching
  • 20 minutes of cardio 3-5 times a week
  • Familiarize yourself with Suhaila's format using Bellydance for Beginners with Suhaila: Fitness Fusion 4 Volume Set (Buns, Jazz, Pilates, Yoga) and with Suhaila’s warm-up by using her Stretch & Tone DVD
  • Practice finger cymbal patterns from Jamila Salimpour's Finger Cymbal CD and Finger Cymbal Manual
  • Review Level 1 Study Guide and the full certification technique manual (coming in late 2009)
  • Study the Jamila Salimpour format through her format manual, The Dance Orientale, and through the DVD Archive Series 4 volume set
  • If you are attending a level specific workshop, please review the level breakdown section to see the additional requirements for that workshop.

What to Bring

  • Finger cymbals (Suhaila’s signature cymbals available for purchase at the studio)
  • Yoga mat (for use during the warm-up if you need cushioning for some of the exercises on the floor)
  • Deodorant / antiperspirant (bring with you to the actual workshop to reapply as necessary)
  • Ballet or jazz shoes for dance movement (and to protect the balls of your feet if they get tender)
  • Hand towel
  • A separate set of workout clothes for each day and potentially extra clothes in case you wish to change at lunch time
  • Refillable water bottle marked with your name
  • Hip scarves, if you like, but please none with beads or coins
  • Name and phone number of your chosen emergency contact
  • Contact information for your medical insurance and physician (if applicable)
  • If you are attending a level specific workshop, please review the level breakdown section to see the additional requirements for that workshop.
  • Check the Bay Area weather before arriving. Although it can be very warm during the afternoons, the weather can be quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. We recommend dressing in layers so you can adjust as needed to keep from heating up or cooling down too quickly

Studio Rules

  • No food or open top drinks are allowed in the studio; if you bring your lunch, know that you will need a small cooler or other means to keep it fresh as we don’t have a refrigerator or microwave available to students. (Of course, if you need little snacks like power bars of nuts, that’s fine.)
  • We have maximized the dance floor space in the studio as much as possible; therefore, we have limited extra room to put personal items. Please be conservative with the items you bring to the studio.
  • During the week, we have ongoing classes and meetings scheduled during the noon hour; we have no lounge area, so workshop attendees are encouraged to leave the studio during lunch. (Most workshop lunches allow for 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to visit many of the restaurant and shops within walking distance of the studio.)
  • Parking is readily available around the studio. For all day, we recommend parking in the El Cerrito Plaza parking lot located behind the studio and about a block away. (Parking in front of the studio is limited to 90 minutes. Please do not park in the bank parking lots next to the studio until after 6pm as they will tow.)
  • Kinko’s is located within a block of studio; they provide computers, internet access and printers to assist you in checking your email, printing boarding passes and preparing/printing homework for higher level workshops. (We are unable to honor any requests to use the studio computers, printers or network.)