RaqiSa

We make RAQISA® lifestyle, dance, and our RAQ THE BARRE® training method accessible for everyone!

Our founder, Soraya Doherty, has over 22 years in the fitness industry and a lifetime as a belly dance practitioner, both culturally and as an enthusiast. She is the creator of the patented RAQISA® Belly Dance Training Mat and Balance Plate, the only visual aid of its kind, designed to provide a 3-D teaching experience to help students learn basic belly dance with precision. Soraya drew from he

r many years in the professional acting and musical theatre industry, as well as her award winning belly dance style, to create her signature dance and barre fitness formats. In addition, she hosts Mediterranean Wellness Retreats designed to educate, elevate and inspire! Her empowering workshops always bring to life a piece of her mother's Lebanon, with healthy recipes, insightful body loving stories, and always a respect for her beloved inherited culture. She is ACE, AFAA, and AEA certified; she holds a BA from San Jose State, and an MA from San Francisco State, in the Theatre Arts, and is a Screen Actors Guild Member.

04/10/2026

RAQ your barre trainings with functional, clever, and fun transitions! The art of transitions can make a difference in your group classes! Here are three ways I add variety and value to each class for my students and stay consistent with my Bellydance Barre method. For me, I like to educate my students WHY we are doing various exercises….I love using the bands to boost my barre burn because it’s an amazing method to enhance our fitness - but particularly for serious dancers who seek to enhance their techniques at the barre & beyond.

✨ 1. Hand mobility is great for everyone; AND for my graceful RaqiSa®️ hands which need dexterity

✨ 2. Foot fitness is important for balancing and doing life with ease; AND to help me ground my feet firmly in the floor to improve my hip & torso movements

✨ 3. Hailing my inner Lebanese Dabke dancer with a Bellydance blend…I like to bring fun flair….my students LOVE this!!

I teach on a weekly basis RAQ THE BARRE®️, by RaqiSa®️ to group exercise students who are quite fit; seniors who love the mobility; dancers who are seeking to improve their Raqs Sharqi dance techniques.

Are you a teacher interested in our program? Our next training is coming up!

03/28/2026

Do you add props to your barre classes? If so which?

Our RAQ THE BARRE®️, by RaqiSa®️ program builds into its full body Bellydance Barre burn, opportunities to train for functional fitness - which can also translate to dance specific skills. Because I want to improve my own dance techniques, I aim to keep my body dancer fit and ready. I’ve actually been training as of recent with a Dabke dance group and let me tell you, I have been using NEW muscle groups with the vertical hops, kicks, and drops…no problem - I’ll just layer specifically into my barre progressions ☺️

Which dance formats do you perform and which exercise will help you improve?

Next teacher training is April 18th Yalla!

03/23/2026

Yes! I love my job! I teach RAQ THE BARRE®️ to four various client groups:

✨ My students of Bellydance
✨ My group exercise students
✨ My retired senior living students
✨ My Aqua students (in the pool) in the summer

Each group gains something different from the same method…AND…truth be told, it continues to help me future proof my own body!

April instructor training coming up! Yalla!

03/19/2026

I recently turned 55. I’m no different than others…each year brings new physical challenges, but I am thankful for health. Regardless, I refuse to let my aging body hold me back. Not if I can help it. We often forget that it’s the little daily habits that add up, in addition to our scheduled workouts. Truth be told, I squeeze in mini stretches ALL DAY LONG to improve my alignment. Remember, you are responsible for helping your body to be the best it can be…and if your goal is to dance (or travel, or anything you love!) for ages to come, then remember you’re worth the time and effort ❤️

03/16/2026

Taking the first step to try something new is a step in the right direction! Shout out to ALL who have never tried Raqs Sharqi (aka Bellydance) and recently got bit by the beauty of this timeless dance!

03/14/2026

A timeless dance for all ages and a healthy & fun way to keep moving!

01/07/2026

Massachusetts Locals! Ready to bring the Mezze Magic this winter with your dance fitness workout? Join me for my January 26th - March 16th in person offering in Needham, MA!

Dancers! This is a perfect sample of how you can diversify your teaching offering with a results based barre program paired with your dance

https://nce.reg.eleyo.com/course/2969/adult-ws2026/mezze-mix-combo-by-raqisa

01/01/2026

Starting this new year from the center out - literally! 😘
Our newest Raq Talk dives into the pelvic floor: real talk, honest education, and a few laughs along the way.

Because your wellbeing starts at the core.

🎧 Listen or 📺 watch now on YouTube & Spotify (links in bio)

12/16/2025

🌟 “Mom and Me: Dance Battle!” 🌟

Watch as my daughter and I tackle a mini hip and torso challenge! It’s all about fun, laughter, with hugs and kisses!

💡 But it’s more than just a demo! This is our way of showing that age is just a number and that staying active can be a blast! 💪✨ Whether you’re a college student or a fabulous mom, join us in embracing joy and movement together.

💖 Let’s inspire each other to keep our bodies moving and our spirits high! Tag your dance partner below and challenge them to join in on the fun! 🥳👇

12/09/2025

A bit of advice: Bellydance [and our Bellydance Barre] program features the hips & torso…on days you know you will be rehearsing or performing, try to eat gently…for me that means:

❌ Heavy Meals
❌ Gassy foods
❌ High Acidic Foods

This is NOT nutritional advice, simply a reminder that you just might feel more comfortable with a calm belly! Dancers, can you relate?

I looooove hummus and lentils…but they have to wait on certain days!

12/04/2025

Did you catch that? The drill was supposed to be boxed hip hits progressing to traveling (which is in another video) but instead, my daughter was feeling like adding internal hips circles to the boxed hip hits bc she was feeling the music!

This is when you know you’ve arrived to a certain level that moves away from beginner to more advanced. (Traveling boxed hip hits is quite advanced as well!) but feeling the musicality and movement is special ❤️ Lillie lead the way to a new drill bc leading and following is a great way to communicate with your dance circle ✨🤌🏼

Starting at the barre, finding the movements w in the muscles is a great way to begin your journey and just like (who started this way as well!) you too can find beauty, balance, and expression in a way that is magical!

Address

Westwood, MA

Website

http://www.raqthebarre.com/

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Dr. Elayne Daniels
275 Turnpike Street, Canton

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Our Story

Our founder, Soraya Doherty, has 20 years in the fitness industry and a lifetime as a belly dance practitioner, both culturally and as an enthusiast. She is the creator of the patented RAQISA® Dance Training Mat & Balance Plate: the only visual aid of its kind, designed to provide a 3-D learning experience to help students learn and practice fundamental belly dance movements with precision. Soraya drew from her many years in the professional acting and musical theatre industry, as well as her award winning belly dance style, to create the RAQISA® brand as an engaging and memorable experience for women to keep inspired with solution based dance and fitness programs! In addition to dance, her accredited RAQ THE BARRE® program trains instructors across America & Canada to teach this barre fitness • belly dance technique method to their community! In addition to online and live classes, Soraya offers dance lessons at the RAQISA® Studio; The Between Space Dance Studio in her home state Massachusetts as well as Mediterranean Wellness events in her home state: Monterey, California. Wellness weekends are always designed to educate, elevate and inspire i! Her empowering workshops always bring to life a piece of her precious mother's Lebanon, a beloved inherited culture which offers a beautiful perspective on life with healthy recipes and a “love & respect your body” attitude. Soraya is ACE, AFAA, and AEA certified; she holds a BA from San Jose State, and an MA from San Francisco State, in the Theatre Arts, and is a Screen Actors Guild Member.