SORAYA DOHERTY, has 20 years of experience 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 training experience to help new students successfully learn and understand fundamental belly dance with precision. Soraya drew from her Lebanese-American roots, her many years in the professional acting and musical theatre industry, and her award winning belly dance style, to create the diverse and dynamic RAQISA® brand. 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.