The Suhaila International Ecosystem

Suhaila International

The overarching organization preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the Salimpour Family and legacy. It represents the global mission to elevate SWANA dance through education, performance, and community.

The Salimpour Center for Embodied Dance and Cultural Studies

The central hub for Salimpour educational programs, events, and administrative operations. Traditionally known as the Salimpour School, the Center now connects learners, instructors, and the broader community in both online and in-person experiences.

Tier 1

Engagement & Connection

Active participation in the Salimpour community supports the mission and contributes to Yallah™ programs. This tier enables learners to connect, engage, and maintain Certification eligibility.

Membership: Provides community connection, engagement, and support of the Center’s mission.
Library Access: Provides learning resources and includes Membership.

Tier 2

Learning & Development

These resources provide foundational and applied study, preparing learners for Institute coursework.

Suhaila Online Library & Conservatory Access: A comprehensive collection of recorded classes and supportive learning resources for ongoing study of SWANA dance, Suhaila’s methodology, and the Salimpour Vocabulary through Core Dimension™. Optional rotation plans guide progression. Available by subscription.
Choreography & Short Courses: Focused studies exploring choreography and culturally grounded movement; available by individual subscription.

Tier 3

Institute & Certification

This tier conveys academic study with credentialing, representing the formal achievement path.

Institute: The academic branch providing structured coursework with evaluation, instructor licensing, and formal pathways for dedicated learners. The Institute builds on foundational study in the Library and Short Courses, guiding learners through structured progression in Suhaila’s methods, Core Dimension™, and the Salimpour Vocabulary.
Certification: Formal recognition of proficiency after Institute courses. Maintaining credentials requires active Membership or active Library subscription.

Our Trademarks

Core Dimension™ – The movement methodology created by Suhaila Salimpour, which serves as the foundational practice of Suhaila’s approach to SWANA dance, while also functioning as a standalone somatic discipline that can be applied to daily movement, communication, and across diverse dance and movement traditions.
Yallah™ – A cultural platform founded by Suhaila Salimpour to celebrate the richness of dance, music, and movement traditions from the SWANA region, while also embracing artistic expressions from cultures around the world. Rooted in research, embodied practice, and performance, Yallah™ provides a space for artists, scholars, and audiences to engage deeply with cultural expression.

How It All Fits Together

Together, this ecosystem supports learners at every stage, connects a global community, and advances SWANA dance worldwide.