Welcome to Integrations

Integrations is the 300-level of our School’s curriculum where you begin layering moves, shapes, stylizations, and sentiments.  Integrations has two courses to be taken in a specific order: Integrations 1, then Integrations 2.

Course Overview (Integrations 1 and 2)

  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Format: Pre-recorded content with instructor feedback and Q&A
  • Optional Certification: Validate your skills and boost your confidence

How the Process Works

01

Enroll

Register and gain access to the course content at the start of the semester.

02

Learn

Follow the structured weekly lessons designed to progressively build your skills.

03

Engage

Interact with instructors and peers, ask questions, and receive detailed feedback

04

Practice

Apply what you've learned through practice.

05

Certify

Optionally test your knowledge and skills for certification.

Why Study with Us?

  • Legacy: Suhaila Salimpour has dedicated her career to preserving and teaching the vocabulary of belly dance.
  • Authority: The Salimpour School is globally recognized for its thorough and culturally sensitive approach to belly dance education.
  • Community: Join a worldwide network of dancers passionate about the historical and cultural dimensions of belly dance.
  • Unique Methodology: Suhaila’s method integrates rooted somatic practice with a deep understanding of cultural heritage.
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Integrations 1

In our twelve-week **Integrations 1 (S301d)** course, you'll immerse yourself in Suhaila Salimpour's innovative somatic method. This curriculum focuses on the art of layering shapes and movements, enhancing your ability to express yourself artistically and interpret music with greater depth. Beginning with the separation of each movement, you'll gradually learn to integrate these layers into a seamless, cohesive performance.

What You Will Learn

  • Integrations layering in Suhaila Salimpour's somatic belly dance method
  • Exploration of movement through improvisation, reflection, and instructor-guided feedback
  • Performance exercises using Suhaila’s exclusive Gridwork Method
  • Culmination and application of learned skills and concepts demonstrated through required choreography and technique exercises
  • Body awareness of how to create and shape movement with dynamics and nuance
  • Experience with cultural music

Prerequisites

  • Be a current member of the Salimpour School Certification Program.
  • Have certification in both Foundations 1 and 2.
  • Be a Suhaila Online online class subscriber and actively working on your dance.
  • Learn the required choreographies:  Integrations Drum Solo (L3FCDS), Ali Gara, and Raks Suhaila.
  • Ability to make a twelve-week commitment to the course (and longer if intending to test for certification following the course).

Required Choreography Links

Optional Certification

Optional testing is available after the course for an additional fee and includes two portions: practical and written. A prerequisite for the certification exam is approval (pass grade) on all required choreography during the course.

Integrations 2

Our twelve-week **Integrations 2 (S302d)** course builds upon the foundational layering techniques introduced in Integrations 1. Using Suhaila Salimpour's somatic belly dance method as a foundation, you'll delve into the Salimpour Vocabulary and explore cultural stylization. This course will refine your skills and deepen your understanding of the cultural contexts that shape this vibrant dance form.

What You Will Learn

  • Integrations layering using Suhaila Salimpour's somatic belly dance method and the Salimpour Vocabulary of steps and step families
  • Learning to layer responsibly using the historical Vocabulary steps which I have a cultural stylization and sentiments
  • Exploration of movement through improvisation, reflection, and instructor-guided feedback
  • Performance exercises using Suhaila’s exclusive Gridwork Method
  • Culmination and application of learned skills and concepts demonstrated through required choreography and technique exercises

Prerequisites

  • Be a current member of the Salimpour School Certification Program.
  • Have certification in Integrations 1.
  • Be a Suhaila Online online class subscriber and actively working on your dance.
  • Learn the required choreographies: Zay El Hawa, Sallam Allay, and Raks Jamila.
  • Ability to make a twelve-week commitment to the course (and longer if intending to test for certification following the course).

Required Choreography Links

Optional Certification

Optional testing is available after the course for an additional fee and includes two portions: practical and written. A prerequisite for the certification exam is approval (pass grade) on all required choreography during the course.

Two Pricing Options for Your Course: Premium and Economy

Economy

  • Post-Course Access
    None
  • Choreography Access
    None
  • Private Lessons
    None
  • Additional Choreography Takes
    None

Premium

  • Post-Course Access
    4 weeks extended access beyond course end to allow learners to complete certain assignments. ($350 value).
  • Choreography Access
    4 weeks prior to course, during course, and 4 weeks after course ($350 value)
  • Private Lessons
    2 one-hour sessions related to course work or performance preparation ($300 value)
  • Additional Choreography Takes
    3 additional takes of each choreography for a total of 9 additional takes ($450 value)
The Premium version offers substantial additional benefits compared to the Economy version. With extended access to choreographies, personalized instruction, and more practice opportunities, the Premium version is ideal for students seeking a more comprehensive and enriched learning experience. The additional features provide significant value for the investment. However, the Economy version remains a solid option for those who prefer a more basic approach to the course content.

 All premium features are subject to time restrictions as outlined further below.

About Suhaila Salimpour and the Salimpour School

Suhaila Salimpour and the Salimpour School stand as unparalleled leaders in the world of belly dance, blending rich tradition with contemporary innovation. Suhaila, a master choreographer, performer, and instructor, has revolutionized the art form through her own somatic method, which emphasizes a deep connection between mind and body. Teaching since the 1970s, Suhaila has dedicated decades to refining and sharing her unique approach. She is also a trailblazer in digital education, launching the first online class site for belly dance in 2008. Today, this platform offers over 1,000 hours of content, making high-quality instruction accessible to dancers worldwide.

Under her guidance, the Salimpour School has become a beacon for dancers globally, offering comprehensive training programs that honor the legacy of Suhaila's mother, Jamila Salimpour, a pioneering figure in modern belly dance. The school is committed to fostering respect for the validity and legitimacy of this art form for the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region and its diaspora. By fostering a community that values discipline, creativity, and cultural appreciation, Suhaila and the Salimpour School continue to elevate the global standard of belly dance, inspiring dancers to achieve excellence and express their unique artistry.

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Historical Relevance of the Salimpour Vocabulary

The Salimpour vocabulary encapsulates the rich history and cultural essence of belly dance, originating from the SWANA region. The Salimpours’ documentation and teaching of this vocabulary have preserved its legitimacy and relevance. Today, dancers around the world continue to use and respect this vocabulary for its depth and historical significance, ensuring the tradition remains vibrant and true to its roots.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is certification testing included in the course?

Certification testing is handled separately at the end of the course for an additional fee.

How do I get feedback on my dancing?

Primary course content is handled through submission of video, where the student demonstrates choreography and technique and receives feedback and scroring.

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

Once a course begins, the instructor schedules a time to meet with students and help them, but these meetings are optional.

Spring 2025

Summer 2025

Fall 2025

Spring 2026

  Premium Restrictions

  • None of the premium additions are adjustable, extendable, refundable, transferable, nor exchangeable.

  • Four weeks of post-access allows the learner to stay in the classroom for an additional 4 weeks if there are remaining assignments to be completed. Access is removed upon completion of outstanding assignments.

  • It is assumed that the learner has already learned the choreography in preparation for the course, so access to choreographies during the course is considered a supplementary resource. Premium choreography access, regardless of learner registration date, ends 4 weeks after the end of the course. Learners who sign up later than 4 weeks prior to the course are not given additional access time. Pre-course access to choreography is only provided to learners who have paid course enrollment in full.

  • Private lessons must be scheduled and taken during the duration of the course. Scheduling must be done and confirmed no later than the end of the 10th week of coursework.

  • Additional takes per choreography (see specific course details for the required choreography) are provided. These are accessible in specific weeks outlined in the course schedule.