About The Raqisa Method
Honoring Lebanese Belly Dance Tradition The Raquisa Method is a groundbreaking approach to belly dance that celebrates the beauty, grace, and deep cultural roots of Lebanese tradition. Developed by Raquisa, this method bridges ancient artistry with modern refinement, offering dancers a technique that embodies precision, confidence, and captivating performance. At its core, the Raquisa Method preserves the rich heritage of Lebanese belly dancing while elevating it with structured movement techniques designed to enhance fluidity, strength, and expressive storytelling. Every gesture, every step is infused with intention—honoring the past while embracing the power of contemporary performance. Through this unique fusion of tradition and innovation, Raquisa empowers dancers to develop impeccable control, master intricate movements, and radiate confidence that commands the stage. Whether you are a seasoned performer or new to the art form, the Raquisa Method invites you to experience belly
Learn about the founding of Raqisa Method, and how we have evolved over time to become the leading specialty school in our field.
Raqisa Master Trainers
SORAYA DOHERTY
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
SORAYA DOHERTY
OSoraya is the owner and creator of RAQISA® and the RAQ THE BARRE® program. She brings over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and a lifetime as a trained belly dancer. In addition to her fitness experience, Soraya drew from her Lebanese American roots, her award winning belly dance style, and her professional (musical) the
OSoraya is the owner and creator of RAQISA® and the RAQ THE BARRE® program. She brings over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and a lifetime as a trained belly dancer. In addition to her fitness experience, Soraya drew from her Lebanese American roots, her award winning belly dance style, and her professional (musical) theatrical career to create RAQISA® as an empowering wellness brand providing education and elevation! Soraya is ACE, AFAA, AEA certified and holds a BA from San Jose State University and an MA from San Francisco State University in the Theatre Arts and is SAG Member.
SIRI CHILAZI
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
SORAYA DOHERTY
Siri is a 22-year fitness industry veteran and a seasoned international presenter and educator. Besides being a Master Trainer for RAQ THE BARRE®, she is a Content Innovator for Cardio Yoga® and an experienced teacher of numerous formats including Pilates, Step, Kickboxing, and HIIT. Siri’s passion is helping people lead their healthiest,
Siri is a 22-year fitness industry veteran and a seasoned international presenter and educator. Besides being a Master Trainer for RAQ THE BARRE®, she is a Content Innovator for Cardio Yoga® and an experienced teacher of numerous formats including Pilates, Step, Kickboxing, and HIIT. Siri’s passion is helping people lead their healthiest, most fabulous lives inside and outside the gym, and helping her fellow fitness instructors to do the same. Outside of the fitness world, Siri is an academic researcher on behavioral science and gender equality based at Harvard University.
JOELLE YOUNG
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
Joelle is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and an enthusiastic dancer, figure skater, and environmental anthropologist! Joelle has been a dancer since the age of 3, trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and belly dance. Joelle finds joy in artistic movement and has a passion for sharing this with others. After bei
Joelle is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and an enthusiastic dancer, figure skater, and environmental anthropologist! Joelle has been a dancer since the age of 3, trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and belly dance. Joelle finds joy in artistic movement and has a passion for sharing this with others. After being a student of RAQISA® herself, she proudly became a Master Instructor for the RAQ THE BARRE® program in 2019! Joelle looks forward to sharing her joy for movement and helping her students bring strength & grace to their workouts!
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
LILLIE MARIE DOHERTY
Lillie has trained with her mother, Soraya, learning the RAQISA® method since she was a young girl. Her respect for her culture and her dance technique makes her an exceptional model of the brand's vision to educate and elevate young adults! Lillie is currently in the Baylor University nursing program with a great interest in anatomy and
Lillie has trained with her mother, Soraya, learning the RAQISA® method since she was a young girl. Her respect for her culture and her dance technique makes her an exceptional model of the brand's vision to educate and elevate young adults! Lillie is currently in the Baylor University nursing program with a great interest in anatomy and nutrition. Lillie loves to help create RAQISA® choreography with her mother and is an inspiration to her mother!
TRAINED INSTRUCTOR TESTIMONIALS
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
"Strength, Grace, Heart and Soul! RAQ THE BARRE® weaves it all together beautifully!I have been taking barre classes for many years and have certified as an instructor in several forms, from a more athletic approach to dance and ballet approach. So, I am always looking for a new barre flare and RAQ THE BARRE® is just that! The certifica
"Strength, Grace, Heart and Soul! RAQ THE BARRE® weaves it all together beautifully!I have been taking barre classes for many years and have certified as an instructor in several forms, from a more athletic approach to dance and ballet approach. So, I am always looking for a new barre flare and RAQ THE BARRE® is just that! The certification program is approachable and thorough. Soraya has a kind and strong sparkle that draws you in to the material and she makes sure you feel confident with the information!"
KRIS AMEZ
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
"RAQ THE BARRE® focuses on posture and coming from the inside- out with your movements. I am so happy to be one of the many instructors out here bringing the barre to the dance floor!"
SIRI CHILAZI
HEIDI IKOKO SCARLETT
TIRRA HARGROW
"RAQ THE BARRE® is the perfect combination of a fierce, full-body barre workout and authentic belly dance moves that make the experience not only more challenging but also more fun! I was always intimidated by belly dance but through RAQISA® and the RAQ THE BARRE® method, I have mastered the basic hip moves and learned to incorporate the
"RAQ THE BARRE® is the perfect combination of a fierce, full-body barre workout and authentic belly dance moves that make the experience not only more challenging but also more fun! I was always intimidated by belly dance but through RAQISA® and the RAQ THE BARRE® method, I have mastered the basic hip moves and learned to incorporate them into a traditional fitness exercises as well as actual belly dance choreography. Anyone can do it! I love doing RAQ THE BARRE® as my own workout and I love teaching it to my students who rave about the accessibility of the method."
TIRRA HARGROW
TIRRA HARGROW
TIRRA HARGROW
"Whether you plan on teaching or not, this information will keep you relevant as a fitness professional! This training allows me to combine two elements that I love as a fitness instructor: dance with barre! It was a fabulous training! Soraya helps us understand the movements and she shows us how to set up our classes. You will love the training!"
JACQUELINE
TIRRA HARGROW
JACQUELINE
"RAQ THE BARRE® is GOLD! I'm so happy I found this program! It's everything I needed inside and outside of belly dancing!
KELLY BUS
TIRRA HARGROW
JACQUELINE
"RAQ THE BARRE® by RAQISA® has helped me as a belly dance professional and as a fitness professional reframe what I am already teaching in a way that my students will understand better. Plus it is a lot of fun to blend barre with belly dance!"