Belly dance is a beautiful and expressive dance form that has been practiced for centuries. One of the most iconic and challenging elements of belly dance is the shimmy. In this blog post, we'll explore the art of the shimmy and offer some tips and techniques for belly dancers looking to improve their skills.
What is a Shimmy?
A shimmy is a rapid shaking or trembling movement that is used to add texture and rhythm to a belly dance routine. It can be performed with the shoulders, chest, hips, or the entire body. The shimmy is a fundamental technique in belly dance and is often used to highlight musical accents or transitions.
Types of Shimmies
There are many different types of shimmies, including:
- Shoulder shimmy: This shimmy involves shaking the shoulders up and down quickly.
- Chest shimmy: This shimmy involves shaking the chest and upper body quickly.
- Hip shimmy: This shimmy involves shaking the hips from side to side quickly.
- Traveling shimmy: This shimmy involves moving the shimmy across the body, from one side to the other.
Techniques and Tips for Shimmying
Here are some techniques and tips for belly dancers looking to improve their shimmy skills:
- Relax: It's important to relax your muscles and let the movement come from your core. Don't tense up or force the movement.
- Isolate: Practice isolating the part of the body you're shimmying. For example, if you're doing a shoulder shimmy, make sure your hips and chest are still.
- Start Slow: Start by practicing the shimmy slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the movement.
- Use Your Breath: Use your breath to help you relax and stay in control of the movement. Take a deep breath in as you start the shimmy and exhale as you finish.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any dance technique, the shimmy requires practice to master. Dedicate time each day to practicing your shimmy and experimenting with different types of shimmies.
Conclusion
The shimmy is a fundamental technique in belly dance that adds texture and rhythm to a routine. By practicing and mastering different types of shimmies, belly dancers can add depth and variety to their performances. Remember to relax, isolate, start slow, use your breath, and practice regularly to improve your shimmy skills.
