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.
- Chest shimmy: This shimmy involves shaking the chest and upper body.
- Hip shimmy: This shimmy involves shaking the hips 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: One of the keys to a good shimmy is to stay relaxed. Tense muscles can inhibit the movement and make it difficult to achieve a smooth, fluid shimmy.
- Isolate: Isolate the part of the body you are shimmying. For example, if you are doing a shoulder shimmy, keep your hips and chest still.
- Practice: Like any other dance technique, shimmying requires practice. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the movement.
- Use the breath: The breath can help you stay relaxed and in control of the movement. Take a deep breath in as you begin the shimmy, and exhale as you release the movement.
Conclusion
The shimmy is a fundamental technique in belly dance that adds texture and rhythm to a routine. By practicing and focusing on relaxation, isolation, and breath, belly dancers can improve their shimmy skills and take their performances to the next level.
