Get more students, keep more students, and grow your income with bellydance fitness
If you’re a current or aspiring bellydance professional, I know you’ve heard the infuriating advice to “dance because you love it, not to make money!”
But at the end of the day, empty classes are discouraging. Struggling to bring in enough students to justify your time teaching makes you question your worth as a dancer.
And eventually, you start to worry they’re not coming because you’re not a good enough teacher.
Imagine for a moment that you...
- Made more money and had more fun as a bellydancer
- Knew how to fill your classes and workshops (in-person, hybrid, and online)
- Felt 100% confident in your teaching skills
- Had a wide menu of lucrative class types and services to offer
- Always knew exactly who to ask for expert advice
- Had a supportive community of other instructors to cheer you on
In the SharQui Instructor Certification program, I give you every tool you need to be the most successful bellydance teacher you can possibly be. SharQui instructors have skills that appeal to a huge audience. As an accredited fitness system, we reach an audience that is much larger than the population of people interested in bellydance classes.
I help you strengthen your teaching skills so you can teach authentic bellydance fused with the aerobic format recognized by fitness professionals. This means you can focus on being the best version of yourself you can be, rather than sinking thousands of hours into figuring out what and how to teach.
Currently enrolling for online instructor training
Become a SharQui Instructor and expand your opportunities without sacrificing your artistic vision
SharQui is what happens when authentic bellydance meets high-energy fitness. Stay with what you love, but reach an entirely new audience.
How to become a SharQui Instructor
- Apply online
- Complete an online instructor training course
- Pass the certification exam
- Become a member of the SharQui Crew, our professional support organization
Why an application?
All potential SharQui instructors complete a short application process before starting training. It’s quick (one form + a casual video interview) and free to apply, so I encourage you to do so!
Don’t worry – this is NOT a skills evaluation or an assessment of your professional experience. I just want to get to know you and make sure instructor training is going to be a mutually great fit.
Here’s what I’ll be assessing in the interview:
- Are you enthusiastic about dance and fitness?
- Do you understand what this training entails, and is it a good fit for your goals?
- Are you willing to be a body-positive, inclusive instructor?
- Are you open to receiving coaching and constructive critique to improve your teaching skills?
No need to dress up or put on makeup – just come as you are for a quick chat!
Applying for training is NOT a commitment to start! Consider it an informal, zero pressure way to make sure SharQui certification is the right next step for you.
What makes SharQui so unique?
Forget spending hours memorizing complex choreos you can only use with one song (looking at you, Zumba!). With SharQui, class choreos are built from blocks, a simple, powerful, and flexible way to maximize your return from prep work.
The SharQui format doesn’t just save you valuable prep hours, it also presents moves to students in the way they learn best (repetition and break down). Talk about a win-win!
Experience total creative freedom to choreograph your own classes, or choose from a selection of my proven done-for-you class plans. We know you’re a pro at what you do, and never force you to stick to preset tracks or choreos. Let your creativity shine by adding props or fusion moves from other styles. Your expertise and diverse experiences are welcome and respected here!
What's in the training?
The online instructor training typically takes 30 days, but is completely self-paced. Once you’ve finished the course, you’ll prove your skills with a video assessment evaluated by Oreet. (Don’t worry, if you don’t pass the final assessment on the first try, you’ll get detailed feedback, support, and unlimited chances to try again.)
Module 1: Getting Started with Music, Counting, & Blocks
As a dancer, it won’t surprise you that everything starts with the music. Learn why great bellydance music doesn’t always make great fitness music, and how to count for fitness so your students can keep up.
Module 2: Getting Started with Principles & Systems
Learn how to get into correct postures, what the rules of isolation are and the SharQui System of Instruction.
Module 3: SharQui Movement Vocabulary
You don’t need a million moves to keep a class engaged for 60 minutes! And you certainly don’t need advanced ones (although go for it if you want them). In this module, you’ll learn how to teach all the stationary and traveling moves you’ll need to lead incredible beginner classes.
Module 4: Class Structure
Whether you’re teaching SharQui in-studio or online, for 30 min or 60 min, you’ll use the same basic structure. In this module, you’ll learn the basic class format + how and when to modify it.
Module 5: Tools for Teaching SharQui
Shockingly simple tricks and tools from my 20+ career teaching dance fitness. (And for those of you who might be afraid you’ll make a mistake in front of your class…once you learn how to use holding patterns they’ll never know the difference 😉)
Module 6: Design your Routine
Make class prep a breeze by mapping your routines with this simple visual method.
$347 (Pay In Full)
We know investing in yourself can feel like a big step. If you’d feel more comfortable with a payment plan, email oreet@sharqui.com to discuss available options.
Don't miss these extra resources
PDF SharQui Instructor Training Manual – a printer-friendly guidebook you can keep in your dance bag for easy reference
An album of royalty-free music, safe for commercial and social media use
Private Facebook group for current SharQui instructors
Continuing education credits for current certified fitness instructors: 10.0 AFAA, 1.0 NASM, and 0.9 ACE CECs
We also help you build a successful business with:
- Mentoring from Oreet and the SharQui team
- Free business basics course to grow your online or local business
- Annual international SharQui events to build hype in your local market
- Ongoing webinars and classes covering a range of business strategy, technology, and marketing topics
An accredited format designed for safe and effective workouts
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). Being a part of an accredited program is important for many reasons but the most important is that you are part of a credible association that meets the fitness and safety guidelines. You also have a leg up when it comes to getting hired as employers feel more comfortable hiring people with an accredited certification.
Teaching bellydance fitness changed my career in a way no competitions or performance accolades could.
During my career I’ve performed across the world, even winning Bellydancer of the Year USA in 2006. And do you know what? At the end of the day, my students couldn’t care less. All they cared about was how well I could teach.
The single most important thing to understand if you want to make dance a sustainable business is that it’s not about you.
You must:
- Teach students the way they want to learn
- Convince gyms, studios, and other venues to offer your classes
- Deliver a great experience so your students keep coming back
It’s no longer enough to train to be a great dancer. You also have to train to be a great teacher.
But you don’t have to do it alone.
Let me give you the benefit of my 25+ years of experience as a dance instructor. I’ll share with you my proven and effective techniques for teaching unforgettable (and profitable!) classes.
Show your students that bellydance workouts can be fun, body-positive, and inclusive.
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.
I was at a staff meeting at Gold’s Gym on 54th street, listening to my director complain (yet again!) that attendance was low. And when he asked for creative ideas to bring in students, something inside me snapped. I immediately raised my hand and said “I can teach bellydance fitness – it’s about loving your body and everybody can do it!”
I wasn’t an overnight success (it took me YEARS to tweak my classes and develop my system). But it soon became obvious bellydance fitness was the key to bringing in a quantity of students I never dreamed possible. Even though I taught in huge studios, classes were filled to the brim – with a waiting list!
Today SharQui instructors around the world are helping their students ditch boring workouts and love their bodies. Will you join us in creating a more inviting, inclusive fitness experience?
Frequently Asked Questions About SharQui Instructor Certification
Nope! The SharQui instructor certification program is comprehensive AND accredited by ACE (the American Council of Exercise), a leading certification board for fitness coaches. During training, you’ll learn how to lead safe and effective workouts even if you have never taught fitness before.
The only ongoing fee for certification is membership in Crew, our professional support organization exclusively for SharQui instructors. Our most affordable Crew membership is just $20/month. As long as you maintain active Crew status, you will ever not have to recertify, pay for a refresher course, or complete mandatory continuing education training. Plus, you’ll get free resources and hands-on mentoring to help you grow as an instructor and business owner. Learn more about the SharQui Crew here.
Once you pass your certification exam, your certification lasts indefinitely as long as you maintain an active SharQui Crew membership. If your Crew membership lapses, you will have to complete instructor training again to recertify.
Crew is SharQui’s professional support organization for certified instructors. Continuing membership in Crew is mandatory to maintain active instructor status. Learn more about Crew benefits.
I get it – making the jump to instructor can feel like a huge step! And I’ll be honest, I don’t want people in my training if it’s not a mutually great fit. If you’re not sure whether you’re ready, email me at oreet@sharqui.com and we can plan a quick 15 minute call to do a fit check.
Live, online, and hybrid instructor training options are available – choose the one that best matches your learning style. If you find yourself wanting more live support, consider registering for one of my “Teach Like a Pro” intensives. In this weekly online small group coaching program, you’ll get personalized feedback to grow your teaching skills. Teach Like a Pro can be taken on its own or in tandem with any instructor training course. Click here to browse current intensives.
If you’re considering becoming a pro, the best way to experience SharQui firsthand is in our Virtual Studio. A Virtual Studio membership will give you unlimited access to live Zoom classes and recordings from top SharQui instructors – including myself!
Wherever you want to! In a studio, in a gym, online live, online prerecorded, as a headliner event at conferences and festivals, on cruises, for free at the park, as part of a flash mob…ok, maybe the better question is where CAN’T you teach SharQui? You’re only limited by your own imagination.
We have instructors around the globe. Since SharQui is accredited by AFAA, NASM and ACE fitness associations, SharQui is internationally recognized by employers of all types. Because of the accreditation, fitness facilities and corporate programs are interested in the SharQui Workout, even if they might not ordinarily host a dance class. We help you create demand in your local area using proven bellydance fitness marketing and retention methods. As a member of the SharQui Crew, we provide support for the entire life-cycle of launching, building, and maintaining your groups. Our education on promotion, systems and technology makes marketing manageable.
Still have questions?
I totally get it, and I only want you in my training if it’s a mutually great fit. Let’s set up a time for a free 15 minute goals assessment call to get your questions answered.
Email oreet@sharqui.com and let me know a little bit about why you’re interested in instructor certification. I can’t wait to meet you!