Shimmy

Unlike in other dance forms, where performers on stage continually face their audience, belly dancing's intimate nature means that dancers often perform in small clubs and restaurants, surrounded by their audience, so being able to turn gracefully is critical. In this episode we practice both the graceful cut turn and a quick spin to enable you to engage the audience members all around you. After a review of the upper and lower body shimmies, we take the cabaret shimmy to an advanced level by layering it on top of a hip circle. Don't worry if this move feels difficult in the beginning – it is one of the most advanced moves in the whole Shimmy program. Just keep practicing the cabaret shimmy and hip circle separately then, after you are very comfortable with both of them alone, layer them together.

Dance Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Glutes and Thighs

In this episode we practice moves like the ‘Cut Turn' and a quick spin on the ‘Sa'idi Step' to enable you to engage the audience members all around you. Moves taught in this episode: Shoulder Shimmy, Shimmy Layered Hip Circle, Cut Turn, Sa'idi Step, Hip Rotation, Tremor Layered Figure-Eight