Basic Shimmy Break Down and Drill

In this Belly Dance Basics class we will be focusing on muscular hipwork. We will be working the hips on various planes to create strong lifts, drops and bumps. We will also drill interior hip circles as well as side circles. In addition to a warm up, cool down, break down and drill section, the class also includes a combination of all movements covered.

The gorgeous feminine expression of Cabaret Style Belly Dance can range from light and airy to earthy and powerful. In this class we will focus on seven “classic” cabaret style movements. This class is perfect for someone just beginning to build their belly dance repertoire or for the dancer looking to fuse some authentic Arabic style into their dance. Each movement will be broken down, drilled, then put together into a combination. We will start with warm-up based on Kundalini Yoga and Qi Gong, designed to free up energy in the physical and energetic body, and we will conclude with a short cool down.

This simple yet challenging class uses a technique combination that focuses primarily on hip work on the up and on the down. This video is meant to be used multiple times, so it starts slowly, with attention to detail, and is then drilled with quicker and quicker pacing to challenge the beginning through intermediate dancer over the course of one to six months. It begins with a brief conditioning section to warm up your spine and joints, and ends with a relaxing yoga practice.

In this class we will be focusing on gorgeous hand, wrist, and arm embellishments; particularly layering them with gooey, serpentine movements. We will break down and drill various wrist, hand, and arm techniques, then lay them on top of a body movement. Finally, they will all be put together to create a lovely and dynamic combination.

This workshop offers some upper body layering over the 3/4 shimmy as well as three different 3/4 shimmy variations in the lower body. Upper body layers include chest circles, up to down body rolls, and down to up body rolls. Each movement will be broken down into isolations and then practiced on top of the 3/4 traveling shimmy. Each of the 3/4 shimmy variations combine an accent or shape in the hips: including hip locks up, hip locks down, twists, and slides. We’ll explore three specific variations that include these isolations. This workshop is designed for the experienced dancer who is already comfortable with the basic 3/4 shimmy and is ready to layer and travel!

This three part workshop will focus on spins, flutters, and belly rolls that are used in Zoe's belly dance flow series and are applicable for belly dance technique. Each of these dance components will be broken down and explained clearly, allowing for dancers of all levels to gain a greater understanding of these elusive concepts.

Shimmies are one of the most impressive yet challenging movements in a belly dance repertoire. In this workshop we will go through a clear and concise break down of the Egyptian style hip shimmy and shoulder shimmy. We will dance through an extended shimmy session to help increase the endurance and velocity of your shimmy. Finally, we will begin to add exciting and challenging shimmy layers and level changes. The workshops begins with a full-body, classical dance based conditioning workout; designed to create a long and strong dancers body.

Learn a dynamic drum solo choreography. This high-energy piece features isolations, pop and lock patterns, shimmies, shimmy layers and various traveling movements. A fun and well rounded choreo to practice or perform!

In this class we will be focusing on large, exaggerated hip movements. Big Hip Movements are one of the most exciting components in a belly dance repertoire, not only are they fun and dramatic but they also serve as the perfect contrast to intricate interior hip work and tight shimmies. We will break down and drill various favorite “Big Hip Movements”, then put them together to create a combination. The class will also include an extended warm up designed to increase hip flexibility and mobility as well as a hip opening cool down.

Swords, zils, and quick shimmys – nothing pleases an audience more! In this Intermediate level class, fast movements for sword balancing are presented and drilled. Based on the ATS® fast vocabulary, but applicable for dancers of all styles, variations for dancing with a sword while wearing zils are introduced and concepts for fast sword presentations are discussed. Arm modifications are demonstrated and exciting combos are explored.

In this class you will learn Sedona’s signature “Serpent Moon” combination. The combo has a theatrical style and is an interesting fusion of Cabaret Style Belly Dance, Tribal Fusion, and Modern Dance. In learning this combo you will come away with many innovative new movements and hopefully be inspired in creating your own unique fusions. We will open with a special warm up designed to increase spinal strength and flexibility as well as help to improve your balance. We will end with a brief cool down.

Get your daily dose! The daily dose is a short, concise practice that has what you need to keep you strong, even if you have a crazy schedule: yoga, drills, a short phrase combination, a focus, and a cool down. This daily dose video is part of the "Arabic Shimmy" series.

This 20 min full-body warm-up and workout is based Odissi Classical Dance and Ballet. Designed to create, flexibly, strength, and grace in the body; it is a wonderful supplement to any dance practice. Working with this conditioning routine on a regular basis will help improve posture, Increase core strength, and sculpt a long and strong dancers body. This spotlight is part of Sedona's "Super Shimmies & Shimmy Layers" workshop.

Ten upper body isolations will be drilled with a few lower body isolations at varying speeds and combinations, culminating in a short combo. This spotlight is a segment of Ashley's "Layercake: Crazy Delicious Layering" class.

This brief class provides tips and techniques for working on drilling your undulations for greater clarity and ease of execution.