How to Do Choo Choo Shimmy in Belly Dancing

The choo choo shimmy is a specific kind of shimmy in belly dancing. It is based off a basic shimmy. It uses the basic movement of the knees to create the shimmy in the hips but adds a shuffling forward movement to move around. It is called a choo choo shimmy because the movement is like that used for a train.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stand with you feet close together but not touching.

2. Raise your heels slightly off the floor. This will make the shuffle that is going to be added easier. Slightly bend your knees. You will be balancing on the balls of your feet. Distribute your weight and remain balanced.

3. Begin a basic shimmy. To raise one side of your hips simply bend the knee on the other side. Unbend you knee again and bend the other knee to raise the other hip. The bending and unbending of your knees is what creates the shimmy. Start slowly and build up shimmying speed until you know the feel of how the movement is done.

4. Begin to shuffle your feet by sliding your feet forward in tiny steps while still maintaining the shimmy. This will slowly move you forward.

5. Shift the shimmy to the right and left by sliding your hips to add interest to the choo choo shimmy. The shimmy and forward shuffle create the basis of the choo choo shimmy.

Tips & Warnings

• Start slowly to master putting all the movements together and work up speed until you can shimmy as fast as you want and shuffle forward at the same time.