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 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 quickly from side to side.
- 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. Tensing up can make the shimmy look forced and unnatural.
- Isolate: Practice isolating the part of the body you're shimmying to improve control and precision. For example, if you're practicing a shoulder shimmy, focus on moving just your shoulders and keeping the rest of your body still.
- Start Slow: Start by practicing the shimmy at a slow speed and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable with the movement.
- Use the Floor: Engage your core and use the floor to help generate the shimmy. Think of the shimmy as a wave that starts in your core and moves out through your body.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any dance technique, the shimmy requires practice to master. Dedicate time to practicing your shimmy regularly and be patient with yourself as you progress.
Conclusion
The shimmy is a fundamental technique in belly dance that adds texture and rhythm to a routine. By practicing different types of shimmies and following these tips and techniques, belly dancers can improve their skills and take their shimmy to the next level.
