Authentic bellydance. Authentic fitness. Authentic You.
SharQui is what happens when authentic bellydance meets high-energy fitness.
Hi, I'm Oreet, founder of SharQui - the Bellydance Workout!
SharQui was born in 1998 out of my frustration with the New York dance and fitness industries. It seemed all anyone wanted was tall, blonde, supermodel instructors.
I’m 4’10” and Middle Eastern…let’s just say I didn’t fit the part.
Bellydance, on the other hand, is something everyone can do. Don’t believe me? You’d have to take that up with my Yemenite grandmothers, who taught me that dance is about loving your body and celebrating your community.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved my grandmas’ bellydance! But I also knew the physical and mental wellness benefits of regular exercise. And on its own, bellydance didn’t quite help my gym clientele “feel the burn” they demanded.
So I started to heat up grandma’s old bellydance recipe by adding the high energy aerobic dance format my clients already loved. The result? A fresh, modern, insanely effective, and beautiful workout.
Love yourself, love your workout
In a SharQui class, you’ll learn new moves and combinations in flow. You’ll gradually build up to more complex movements starting with the very basics – your feet! If you can walk in place, you can bellydance with SharQui.
It is easy to fall in love with bellydance. Whether it’s the intoxicating rhythms, the eye-popping sequined costumes, or the way it works your muscles, there’s so much to love about this art form.
Get started today by joining our Virtual Studio or finding an instructor near you.
Committed to Safety and Quality
SharQui was the first bellydance fitness format accredited by AAFA (Athletics & Fitness Association), ACE (American Council on Exercise), and NASM (National Academy of Sports Exercise). Our certified instructors undergo rigorous training to ensure every class is an amazing, effective and safe experience.
Founded by an award-winning bellydancer
SharQui is accredited by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Athletics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Oreet, the creator of SharQuí – The Bellydance Workout, has over 25 years of experience in fitness and dance. She grew up with Yemeni folk and Oriental dance and has a degree in Contemporary Dance from SUNY College at Brockport.
During her professional dance career, Oreet has been crowned Bellydancer of the Year as well Middle Eastern Dance Champion of North America. She’s led packed classes worldwide and has worked with thousands of men and women to realize their fitness potential.
Oreet’s other passion is educating the world about Jewish Mizrahi dance and its relevance in Arabic culture and dance.
Catch her teaching LIVE in the SharQui Virtual Studio, mentoring SharQui Certified Instructors, and sharing her love of dance and fitness with anyone she can!