Foundations 1 & 2:  12-Week Training + Evaluation for Dedicated Students

A structured path to refine technique, apply Salimpour method & move toward certification — with personalized feedback and steady pacing.

A semester-based course sequence designed to refine your technique, deepen embodied application, and prepare you for certification — with personalized instructor feedback and steady pacing that replaces intensive, short workshops.
  • Apply your Salimpour training in structured weekly assignments
  • Get instructor-guided feedback on technique, choreography, and performance
  • Video submissions build awareness, control, and stylistic maturity
  • Optional certification assessment available upon successful completion

Enrollment & Next Steps

These courses are designed for committed learners ready to apply their knowledge and receive expert guidance. If you have been engaging with the Salimpour Library & Conservatory content and are prepared to submit work for evaluation, Foundations 1 & 2 offer a structured path to deepen your practice and move toward certification.

Why Foundations Works — A Better Alternative to Intensive Testing Workshops

Historically, certification preparation in belly dance often meant flying in for a weeklong workshop that attempted to cover months of material in only a few days. Many learners found that the rushed format was overwhelming and often took the workshop multiple times before passing.

Our 12-week Foundations courses replace that model with a semester experience that gives you:
  • Time to integrate feedback and refine movement quality rather than cram corrections into a weekend.
  • Personalized video-based evaluations from instructors who track your progress week by week.
  • A learning environment at your pace — study from home, maintain your routine, and deepen your practice without travel or intense pressure.
Learners commonly take these courses more than once — once to prepare thoroughly and again when ready to test. This approach supports growth, confidence, and embodied understanding in a way that short workshops cannot match.

Foundations 1 & 2 provide the time and personalized support you need to truly embody your technique and grow your skills with confidence. Instead of rushing through material, you’ll progress at a pace that fits your life, allowing your practice to deepen naturally and sustainably. With thoughtful instructor feedback and steady guidance, you’ll build a foundation that feels empowering, intentional, and lasting — preparing you for performance and certification without overwhelm or burnout.

Who Should Enroll in Foundations 1 & 2

These courses are not beginner technique classes. They are designed for students who have already built a base of study and are ready to apply, refine, and contextualize that training. Ideal learners:
  • Have been studying regularly with the Salimpour Library & Conservatory subscription, completing rotation plans and technique drills.
  • Have completed the required choreography short courses for this level before the course begins.
  • Are committed to submitting weekly video takes for evaluation and feedback.
  • Want structured guidance and steady reflection, whether preparing for certification or deepening their practice.
You should feel confident in your foundational technique before enrolling so you can focus this course on application and refinement.

Course Structure & What You’ll Do Each Week

Each 12-week course guides you through paced learning and instructor evaluation.

Weekly Rhythm Includes:

  • Video assignments demonstrating technique, alignment, and choreographic application
  • Instructor feedback tailored to your body, movement quality, and performance
  • Performance skill tasks that deepen your musical interpretation and stage dynamics
  • Practice quizzes to prepare for the written portion of the certification pathway
After each course, learners may choose to pursue a separate optional certification assessment, available with instructor approval.

Foundations 1

Somatic Application, Alignment & Technical Control

Foundations 1 focuses on the application of Suhaila Salimpour’s Core Dimension™ principles — cultivating body awareness, alignment, and mindful use of muscle engagement through personalized sequence work and video submissions.

What You Need Before You Enroll

  • Active Salimpour Center Membership
  • Fundamentals 1 and 2 Certification
  • Salimpour Library & Conservatory subscription access
  • Completed required choreographies: Foundations Drum Solo (L2FCDS) and Chic Chac Choc

Learners in Foundations 1 will demonstrate

  • Conscious somatic application of Core Dimension™ principles
  • Enhanced alignment, balance, and functional strength
  • Technical control under varied movement demands
  • Cultural context and stylistic understanding of movement
  • Choreography and performance execution

Optional Certification

Available by approval, upon successful course completion, for an additional fee.

Foundations 2

Salimpour Vocabulary & Nuanced Execution

Building on Foundations 1, this course expands your use of the Salimpour Vocabulary, a codified system of step families rooted in the movement traditions of the SWANA region through personalized sequenced work and video submissions.

What You Need Before You Enroll

  • Active Salimpour Center Membership
  • Foundations 1 Certification
  • Salimpour Library & Conservatory subscription access
  • Completed required choreographies: El Samer and Shams El Shamouseh

Learners in Foundations 2 will demonstrate

  • Expanded execution of step families with cultural insight
  • Nuanced interpretation and stylization
  • Continued application through video assignments
  • Deeper exploration of historical and stylistic context
  • Choreography and performance skill refinement

Optional Certification

Available by approval, upon successful course completion, for an additional fee.

Spring 2026

Summer 2026

Fall 2026

Choose Your Experience: Premium or Economy

Both options provide full access to the course curriculum and weekly evaluations.
The difference lies in extended access, practice opportunities, and personalized support.

Premium

  • Extended post-course access for additional completion time
    4 weeks extended access beyond course end to allow learners to complete certain assignments. ($350 value).
  • Extended choreography access before and after the semester
    4 weeks prior to course, during course, and 4 weeks after course ($200 value)
  • Private lesson sessions to support course work or performance prep
    2 one-hour sessions related to course work or performance preparation ($300 value)
  • Additional choreography submission takes for deeper practice opportunities
    3 additional takes of each choreography for a total of 9 additional takes ($300 value)

Economy

  • Core course access
  • Standard timeline for choreography and video takes
  • Solid option for self-directed learners
Premium is ideal for learners seeking more time, structured reinforcement, and enriched feedback support.
 All premium features are subject to time restrictions as outlined further below.

How Foundations Is Not a Technique-Only Class—And What It Is

The Foundations courses are not designed to teach technique from the beginning. They are designed to help learners prepare for, apply, and be evaluated on material they have already been studying through the Library & Conservatory and the required choreography short courses.

Before enrolling, learners are expected to be actively working with:
  • The Foundations rotation plans in the Library & Conservatory
  • The choreography short courses required for this level
These resources together represent hundreds of hours of structured instruction and are where technique is introduced, built, and refined over time.

The 12-week Foundations courses replace the former in-person testing workshops. In the past, learners would travel to California for an intensive week, where a large amount of material was compressed into five days. Most dancers needed to repeat those workshops several times before successfully testing.

The Foundations courses offer a different model:
  • More time to prepare and apply material
  • Personalized instructor feedback
  • Performance skill assignments that introduce new evaluative material
  • Practice quizzes to prepare for the written exam
  • The ability to participate from home, without travel
During the course, learners submit video takes of technique and choreography so instructors can assess readiness for testing and guide next steps.

Many learners take a Foundations course more than once:
  • Once to learn how to prepare for testing
  • Again when they feel ready to formally test
This is normal and expected. Repeating the course is part of the Institute’s long-standing testing process and mirrors how the former workshops functioned — with significantly more support and flexibility.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Foundations 1 course only for testing, or can a new Foundations-level learner take it?

Foundations 1 supports a range of learners: those beginning to explore Foundations content, those wanting more detailed feedback, those preparing for certification, and those gearing toward professional training. You should have some foundational technique study before enrolling to get the most from the course.

Is certification testing included in the course?

Certification testing is optional and handled separately after the course ends, with an additional fee and instructor approval.

How do I get feedback on my dancing?

Feedback is primarily provided through submission of video assignments where you demonstrate choreography and technique. Instructors give personalized feedback and scoring based on your submissions.

Is there a weekly session I need to attend and what time is it?

Once a course begins, the instructor may schedule optional meetings to support students. Attendance is not mandatory, and times are communicated after the course starts.

I’m new to belly dance and want to learn Foundations technique. Should I enroll in the Foundations course?

Foundations courses assume you have already developed foundational technique through the Library & Conservatory subscription and choreography short courses. If you are new to technique, we recommend starting with the Library & Conservatory before enrolling in a Foundations course.

Can I take a Foundations course more than once?

Yes! Many students take Foundations courses multiple times — first to build confidence and deepen skills, then again to prepare for certification or professional levels. Repeating the course is a normal and supported part of learning.

How much time should I expect to commit each week to succeed in Foundations courses?

Students typically spend about 2.5–6 hours per week on practice, video submissions, quizzes, and review. Regular commitment helps you absorb feedback and progress steadily. The more advanced familiarity with the material, the less time it takes.

What kind of support can I expect from instructors during the course?

Instructors provide personalized feedback on your video submissions and are available for optional live sessions to answer questions and support your progress. You’ll have clear guidance throughout, but self-motivation and consistent practice are key to success.

About Suhaila Salimpour and the Salimpour School

Suhaila Salimpour has taught since the 1970s, developing a somatic method centered on mindful alignment, muscle engagement, and body-mind connection. An early pioneer in online dance education, she launched the first digital belly dance platform in 2008. The Salimpour School continues her legacy, preserving the lineage of modern belly dance and supporting learners worldwide.

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Cultural Context and Approach

Instruction emphasizes respect for the rich cultural heritage of belly dance in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. Evaluations consider stylistic and historical context alongside somatic and technical criteria.

Join Us in Honoring the Cultural Heritage of the SWANA Region

At the Salimpour School, we celebrate the traditions and community spirit of the SWANA region through belly dance. Our courses are crafted to foster a deep respect and understanding of this captivating art, connecting students with its rich cultural diversity.

Whether you aspire to become a professional dancer or are pursuing belly dance as a fulfilling hobby, the Salimpour School offers a supportive and enriching environment for your journey. Enroll today and take the next step towards a deeper connection with yourself and the art of belly dance.
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