Belly Dancing: Layered Shimmies

Presented by Karen Sun Ray Coletti

Layered shimmies in belly dancing create unique and interesting combinations to any dance routine. Practice several layered shimmies with this free belly dancing video series.

Series Summary

What does belly dancing bring to mind? Hootchy-kootchy? Shimmy and shake? With a debated origin, modern belly dancing has been adapted from several different historic folk dances. The term itself is westernized, but generally refers to a traditional Middle Eastern dance form. Known as raqs sharqi in Arabic, belly dancing is based on one of the oldest social dances in the world, though its modern theatrics and costume are merely adaptations. In addition to its entertainment value, belly dancing actually possesses some physical and mental health benefits. Dancing in general is not only a good cardiovascular workout, but it also emphasizes muscular isolations. Originally developed for the female body, it is an art that has been perfected for thousands of years. A belly dancing shimmy can be layered with arm movements, hip rotations and footwork. In this free belly dancing video series, a dance director demonstrates layered shimmies. Learn to add figure-8 hip movements, including a forward, backward, upward and downward figure-8. Practice combining shoulder rolls and arm positions with belly dancing shimmies, as well as hip slides and chest lifts. With infinite combinations, layered shimmies add flair and pizazz to every belly dancing routine.

Listing 1-23 of 23 videos

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Forward Figure-8

A forward figure-8 belly dancing shimmy isolates the hip and lower abdomen in a forward curving motion. Practice a forward figure-8 shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Maya

The Maya belly dancing shimmy is a vertical figure-8 movement of the hips and lower abdomen. Learn the Maya shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Arm Undulation

Arm undulations enhance a belly dancing shimmy with subtle soft movements. Practice arm undulations with shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Shoulder Rolls

A belly dancing shimmy with shoulder rolls creates a sultry dance move. Add shoulder rolls to a belly dancing shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Layering

Layering moves on top of a belly dancing shimmy creates a more complex and interesting combination. Layer shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Vertical Chest Circles

Vertical chest circles with belly dancing shimmies creates a contrasting movement for an interesting combination. Make vertical chest circles over a shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Press Down Arms

Press down arms combined with a belly dancing shimmy create strong arm movements. Practice press down arms and shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Shoulder Drops

Shoulder drops are combined with belly dancing shimmies for contrasting motion. Do shoulder drops and shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Backward Figure-8

A backward figure-8 belly dancing shimmy isolates the hip and lower abdomen in a backward curving motion. Practice a backward figure-8 shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Hip Circle

A hip circle added to a belly dancing shimmy rotates the hips around while rocking the hips quickly from side-to-side. Add a hip circle to a shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Hip Slide Forward & Back

A belly dancing shimmy forward and back hip slide rocks the weight from the front to the back. Shimmy and slide forward and back with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Horizontal Circle

In belly dancing, a shimmy is accompanied by a horizontal circle of the chest. Practice horizontal circles with shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Chest Lift

A belly dancing shimmy with a chest lift creates a flirtatious dance move. Lift the chest and shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Undulations

Combining undulations with a belly dancing shimmy is difficult to master. Practice undulation and shimmy combos with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Upward Figure-8

An upward figure-8 belly dancing shimmy isolates the hip and lower abdomen. See an upward figure-8 shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Body Outline Arms

Body outline arms with belly dancing shimmies gently trace the silhouette of the body. Add body outline arms to belly dancing shimmies with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Hip Slide With Arms

Arm movements, added to a belly dancing shimmy hip slide, accentuate the hip motions. Add arm movements to a shimmy hip slide with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Hip Slide

A belly dancing shimmy hip slide moves the hips from one side to the other. Practice a shimmy hip slide with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: T-Shirt Arms

T-shirt arms with belly dancing shimmies mimic the motion of removing a t-shirt. Do t-shirt arms in belly dancing with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Downward Figure-8

A downward figure-8 belly dancing shimmy rocks the hips forward and backward. Practice a downward figure-8 shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Pelvic Drop & Tuck

A pelvis drop and tuck with a belly dancing shimmy rocks the hips forward and backward with a shimmy shake. Drop and tuck the shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Reverse Maya

The reverse Maya belly dancing shimmy is a vertical figure-8 of the hips and lower abdomen rotating in the opposite direction. Learn the reverse Maya shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

Belly Dancing Shimmy: Side Step

A side step added to a belly dancing shimmy draws attention downward to the hips and feet. Practice a side step shimmy with tips from a dance director in this free belly dancing video.

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