It was a beautiful day and my heart filled with anticipation of my mother’s first class at my studio. We had been talking about it for sometime now and I was in support of her decision to teach again. Not only do I feel that my mother has so much to give and pass on, but the chance for anyone to be influenced by her directly is invaluable. She was excited and that made me feel good. Rashid and I had worked out our dynamics and we would play tag team in running the music and demonstrating for her. Rashid and I had done that for years in our youth, so for us it was a normal exchange of responsibility. I was looking forward to Isabella being able to see my mother teach as well. Isabella is so used to seeing me teach, and with seeing her grandmother teach I knew that she would understand the lineage. My mother is 77 years old and what a great lesson we would be teaching her. My mother even asked Isabella to help her teach so she made sure to bring her finger cymbals.

The room started to fill up with students, most of them not knowing what to expect. My students I knew but there were some faces I didn't recognize. I felt good that new faces were exploring this studio and all that the Salimpour name has to offer. My format and technique comes from the years of dance and influence of my mother’s format, so I think that it is wonderful for people to understand the history and the link between the two of us.

The class began with 1/2 hour of finger cymbals. Rashid and I looked at each other as brother and sister do when they share a moment with a parent. My mother would have Rashid and I demonstrate the way a pattern should sound only to make us giggle. It was fun. Isabella seemed confused. Usually while I am teaching my mother will watch her, but now we are both out on the dance floor. She put her cymbals on and tried to follow along while standing next to her grandma. She doesn't know it yet, but that will be one of her most loving memories of my mother in the future. I had to hold back my tears.

We were now to move onto the movement part of the class. "Standing in a circle moving counter clockwise one behind the other" we all assumed the position. My mom began to break down and lead the class as if she never retired. I was amazed at her power and strength. All these years and her format still stands strong with its knowledge and offering. I put on my belt and cymbals and came in the middle of the circle to demonstrate for my mother. We smiled at each other with the love and understanding. It was here with her teaching and me in the middle of the circle where the birth of my love of this dance began. I was happy for my students to see me in that role as well. Not just a teacher, but a student as well. We danced side by side as we did while I grew up. Isabella sat on the side watching her mother and grandmother dance together. I could see on her face that someday she too would dance inside the circle. I can't wait.

My mom stopped the music and then began to explain to the class that they must not get stuck in one "style" of belly dance. "Do it all, learn it all". I was happy that my mother was speaking her mind to others than me. So many times people try and separate my mother’s style from my technique and that is a big mistake. My mother’s format fits my body like an old sweater. I love doing her movements they feel natural to me. My mom created my desire for the growth and expansion that my format has done for this dance form. I wouldn't have taken my format to the level I have if it weren’t for her encouragement and support. "Take Ballet, take jazz," she said to her students with a sparkle in her eye. "Who do you think drove Suhaila to jazz and ballet all those years".... we all laughed and continued to dance.

The class ended with everyone wet from the workout. The room applauded and left filled with joy. My mother makes people happy, and feel like dancing. I was happy and felt like a full circle was complete. It went from me teaching one day a week in my mother’s studio 22 years ago when I was 14 years old, to now, my mother teaching in my studio one day a week. Now that is tribal!