Beginning / Intermediate

A strong warm-up to work the muscles on either side of the spine, adding fluidity for undulations and bodywaves, and to strengthen the low back for any movements that include the low back/pelvis relationship for a long life of belly dance.

This short spotlight will clearly break down the technique of the Egyptian style shimmy. We will hold the shimmy non-stop for five minutes with various speed and intensity. With consistent practice this drill will help you achieve a gorgeous powerful shimmy.

This spotlight is from Sedona's "Super Shimmies & Shimmy Layers" workshop.

Here we break down the basic 3/4 shimmy slowly, then speed it up. A simple traveling combination is included to practice going forward, back, right and left with the 3//4 shimmy. This spotlight is from Ashley's workshop, "The 3/4 Shimmy".

This beginning level ATS® class starts with a warm up then arm position review. Circle Step is introduced and basic slow movements are layered with traveling steps. We review Egyptian Basic and introduce Up-Up-Down-Down-Down (Up2-Down3). Zils patterns used in ATS® but applicable to all styles of belly dance are reviewed and paired with movements. Class finishes with a fast drill and a cool down.

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.

In this Belly Dance Basics class the focus will be on very muscular internal body movements and external traveling moves. After a short full body warm-up you will learn up-to-down and down-to-up-undulations as well as down-to-up hip figure 8’s. Basic hip bumps and twists will also be layered on different foot patterns. All the movements will be combined at the end of class into a great drill style combination. The class concludes with a short cool down.

An excellent class for a beginning student or advanced dancer looking to keep their basics strong.

This cool down is designed to stretch and open the hips. It's a wonderful cool down to do after any belly dance practice and especially for those who tend to experience tightness and tension in the hips. It will be helpful to have a yoga mat for this cool down.

Zoe's unique approach to belly rolls: "The 4 Part Roll" breaks down this classic move for any style of belly dance, emphasizing each muscle group, and moving the abdomen independent of the spine.

The strange and beautiful bodywave is performed differently according to your belly dance style. Here, we'll focus on the Tribal and Tribal Fusion approach, drilling it as a spinal roll in the back of the body. Rachel pairs this movement with a hip circle and an undulation down to up to give it a very sinuous and smoky feel. This spotlight is from Rachel's workshop, "Sinuous and Smoky Phrases".

This workshop is from the "Built for Belly Dance Conditioning Series", which are fitness-based classes for belly dancers that build strength, flexibility, and technique.

This workshop is a 3-part-power-packed belly dance, yoga, and fitness workout focusing on the lower body. Class will begin with a yoga and fitness routine for strengthening, then we will proceed to bellydance drills and a combo that focus on the legs and hips. The workshop will conclude with a yoga and stretching segment to increase flexibility and range of motion in the lower body.

The "Built for Belly Dance Series" also includes workshops on conditioning and drills for the arms and torso.

In this workshop you will learn a Classic Cabaret entrance choreography. The piece starts with a veil dance , then moves on to showcase some classic oriental stylization. Learning this choreography will help to improve your musicality and transitions as well as introduce you to some beautiful yet innovative cabaret style movements and combos.

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.

This brief cool down is wonderful to do after an extended shimmy session or any vigorous belly dance practice.

A brief yoga cool down to stretch out the hips, legs, sides, and back. Have a yoga mat handy. This spotlight is from Ashley's "The 3/4 Shimmy" workshop.

A simple cool down, which includes spinal twists, hip openers, and hamstring stretch. It's advisable to have padding for the knees.

This class presents fast Tribal Style movements that incorporate classic foot patterns and traditional hip work which look stunning when performed by a group.  We will introduce the movements and flourishes, string them together into combos to drill, then drill them in formation with zils.  This workshop is appropriate for dancers of all levels and the moves are ATS® and/or ITS friendly.

This workshop is designed to get you moving & sweating with three combinations that contain a variety of belly dance moves fused with steps from other styles of dance, including hula and jazz. Do all three combinations for a complete workout or use one at a time to get your heart rate up before a dance class.

This class is designed to get the dancer moving and sweating with a few combinations that contain a variety of belly dance moves fused with steps from other styles of dance, including hula and jazz. Combo "A" works with basic belly dance moves, traveling steps, and some arm movements for an energetic and fun workout.

Each movement of each combination is first broken down through a series of drills that increase in speed. Once all of the steps of the combination are learned, they are quickly put together as a dance combination and are practiced slowly, then with increasing speed. This video also features a short Pilates-based warm up and cool down.

This class is designed to get the dancer moving and sweating with a few combinations that contain a variety of belly dance moves fused with steps from other styles of dance, including hula and jazz. Combo "B" works with cross over turns, level changes, and traveling hip movements for an energetic and fun workout.

Each movement of each combination is first broken down through a series of drills that increase in speed. Once all of the steps of the combination are learned, they are quickly put together as a dance combination and are practiced slowly, then with increasing speed. This video also features a short Pilates-based warm up and cool down.

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

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.

Get your daily dose! These concise belly dance practices include what you need to keep your technique strong when you’re short on time: yoga, conditioning, technique drills, a short belly dance phrase called Pinball, and a cool down. Pinball #1 offers a stronger yoga practice and focus on leg strengthening and level changes.

This spotlight focuses on hip isolations (locks up and locks down), calf strengthening dills, and exercises to challenge balance. This video is designed to prepare the dancer for graceful traveling with hip movement. This spotlight is from "The 3/4 Shimmy" workshop with Ashley.

This practice will bring you from a sweaty, heart-pounding state to a relaxed, loose, open and focused presence. You can practice this after a dance practice, or a long day of work.

This class presents slow Tribal Style movements, each with a strong Flamenco flavor.  Starting with a short warm-up, we will introduce three movements and their cues, then string them together into a dramatic combo to drill.  This workshop is appropriate for dancers of all levels and the moves are ATS® and/or ITS friendly.

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson one will cover low, mid, and high taxeems, taxeem transitions, and 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 turns. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Information about where to download the syllabus for Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary is at the end of the video.

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson two will cover upper undulations, floreo poses, and reverse turn. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Information about where to download the syllabus for Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary is at the end of the video.

Amy Sigil presents lesson 3 of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson three will cover floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson four will cover camel step and spin set up one and two. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body! Class 4 is the final lesson in the level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary.

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.

Get ready to get your heart rate up and have some fun in this challenging cardio class. Class is divided into two parts, beginning to intermediate dance drills with mini combos, sandwiched between short bursts of more traditional fitness conditioning.

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.

This short combination 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 beginner through intermediate dancer over the course of one to six months. This combination is taken from Rachel's full class: "Hip Work and Level Changes".

This Isolations workshop will start with grounding breath work to help you tune in and connect. We will then go head to toe, breaking down and drilling basic belly dance Isolations. Finally, we will mix and match the basic isolations to create interesting and innovative isolation patterns. Learning these challenging isolation combinations will enhance your ability to accent musical cues and expand your drum solo repertoire.

Taking content from Unmata's Slow ITS Lesson 1 (low, mid, high taxeems, taxeem transitions, and 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 turns) and drillin' it.

Taxeem work is fundamental to horizontal figure 8s paired with snake arms, an ABC of ITS. This class breaks down the taxeem, illustrates the "how to" in executing seamless transitions of your low, mid, and high taxeems, concepts and rules of turning with the taxeem, moving with your taxeems, and last we will cover the stagger formation and rotation.

The material in this spotlight is from 'Full Lesson 1: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'. To drill the material in this class in the stagger or for the warm up, please try the full class or the 'Drill' or "Eagle Shame Warm Up' spotlights.

This drill section puts together your upper undulations, floreo poses, and reverse turn, and includes the work from Unmata's Slow ITS Level 1, Lesson 1.

This segment is taken from 'Full Lesson 2: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'.

Lesson 2 work includes the technical breakdown and stylizations of upper undulations with all 4 arm positions, floreo poses, and reverse turn.

This segment is taken from 'Full Lesson 2: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'.

Building on the concepts learned in lessons 1 and 2 of level 1 slow ITS, this drill section includes floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip. Here we put together classes 1,2, and 3.

Lesson 3 includes the technical breakdown and stylization of the floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip.

Putting the first 4 lessons of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS Vocabulary together, this drill section includes camel step, spin set up 1 and 2, floreo taxeem, rib circles, arm dip, upper undulations, floreo poses, reverse turn, and all of lesson 1 taxeem work. Lets Dance!

Lesson 4 of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS Vocabulary includes the technical breakdown and stylization of the camel step and the spin set up 1 and 2.

In this spotlight, we practice the Pilates sideline series; designed to strengthen the side abs, hips, glutes, and inner and outer thighs. This sequence is especially great for strengthening the muscles that are responsible for up/down hip movement, chest slides, hip slides, and lateral (side to side) figure 8’s in the upper and lower body. This spotlight is from Ashley's "The 3/4 Shimmy" workshop.

Tribal Style belly dance is known for its uplifted posture, which supports and carries the body and results in a strong, confident presentation.  These pointers breakdown the specifics of posture and explain how great posture can improve dance technique and presentation. 

In this short spotlight you will be led in some pre-dance breath work and visualization. This is a wonderful practice designed to assist you in becoming calm, centered, and present in your body. By tuning in and tapping into your breath, the energies of your body, and the space around you, you will be ready to shine bright! This is a beautiful way to begin any dance practice or performance. It is also extremely helpful in combating stage-fright and nervous tension.

This spotlight is from Sedona's "Interesting and Innovative Isolations" workshop.

A strong little phrase to keep your down-hip work nice and clean. Also includes hip circles and an undulation from the lowest-low belly to keep those abdominal isolations articulated and easy.

Slovenia Slam! This is a fun "scale" or isolation pattern, that involves chest locks, undulations, and a slight level change. Please be warmed up before doing this video. Enjoy!

This shimmy drill warm-up will get you ready for dancing in a hurry, while still being carefully sequenced. First we'll warm up the spine, then the joints, then move to hip work before our shimmy drill. Good to practice with other dance videos or practice, or just to keep your shimmies big and relaxed. Enjoy!

In this challenging short segment we hold a consistent shimmy for 15 minutes while adding dynamic head, arm, chest, shoulder, and hip layers. We will also drill shimmies with weight and level changes. This high-energy drill will be sure to increase your shimmy endurance and guide you in executing many intermediate and advanced layers.

This spotlight is part of Sedona's 'Super Shimmies & Shimmy Layers' workshop.

This workshop covers 4 different types of shimmies: the choo choo, the waggle shimmy, the Turkish front back shimmy, and the freeze. It includes a warm up with a very unique seated shimmy drill that will help you gain the muscle memory needed to execute stellar shimmies. Each shimmy is broken down, drilled and then finally put into one extended drill based combination.

This short, yet effective yoga sequence will help you either prepare for belly dance, or can be done as a complete practice. It's gentle, and designed to strengthen the lower back, abdominal muscles, legs, and hips.

In this class we will break down and drill the technique for lovely, loose shoulder shimmies standard to Cabaret style belly dance. Once we have a nice, strong shoulder shimmy we will begin to layer them with different step patterns, level changes, and chest isolations.

This spotlight is from Sedona's "Super Shimmies & Shimmy Layers" workshop.

The infamous Sidewinder! A classic figure 8 movement in the rib cage with a lateral focus; a fundamental movement for any Tribal Fusion dancer. To do this one well takes lots of practice, and continued practice at that, so get warmed up and work with this one often. This spotlight is from Rachel's workshop, "Sinuous and Smoky Phrases".

This workshop will teach you some of the gooeyest fundamental movements in Tribal Fusion vocabulary, and, when done regularly, will increase the strength and flexibility in the upper back and lateral muscles. It includes a warm up, three phrases: Bodywave, Side to Side Undulation, Sidewinder, an improvisation section including those phrases, and a cool down for flexibilty. Enjoy!

This class starts with a warm up and conditioning segment focusing on arm strength and flexibility. We then cover a quick overview of swords used in belly dance and specific concepts for group improvisation using swords. Starting with the dancers handling the sword, variations of slow ATS® and Scarlet Thistle moves are presented as well as dramatic poses and flourishes that showcase this “dangerous” prop. Sword balancing, both on the hand and on the head is discussed with Tribal Style movements utilized for hand balancing and the ATS® vocabulary is explored for balancing on the head. Class finished with an improvised drill that strings together multiple movements to create combinations appropriate for choreography or for improvisation.

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.

This brief, simple dance warm up requires no mat, and is designed to warm up the legs, arms, abdominals, and back. This spotlight is from Ashley's workshop, "3/4 Shimmy Variations & Layers".

In this workshop we will focus on belly dance’s most classic prop, the veil. You will get clear and concise breakdowns of veil posture, technique, and 20 unique movements and variations. All of the movements can stand on their or own or seam together to create a lovely 20 part veil choreography.

The workshop includes a warm-up specifically targeting arms, hands, wrists, upper back, shoulders and ribcage as well as commentary on using your veil as a theatrical prop and recovering from veil snafus.

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.

This workshop is designed to give the beginning or intermediate belly dancer a foundation for traveling with 3/4 shimmies. In this workshop, we’ll break down the basic 3/4 shimmy, focusing on an even pacing and smooth execution. Pilates mat work, isolation drills, and balance exercise will help to prepare the dancer for the movement. This video includes a basic traveling combination to exercise traveling forward, back, and to the sides. Great for beginning to experienced dancers looking to drill the 3/4 shimmy.

This spotlight breaks down the 3/4 shimmy on the “up” and the “down” and includes a traveling combo with a 3/4 shimmy, at three increasing speeds! This spotlight is from Ashley's "'The 3/4 Shimmy" workshop.

Learn the 5 sections of a balancing routine in this short and simple choreography. This includes level changes, touches briefly on floorwork, gives a few turns to play with, and has a combination or two while balancing your item of choice. Make sure you're warmed up for this one, especially in the legs. Enjoy!

The Eagle's Shame warm up is a yoga based sport flow, designed to bring your heart rate up and add flexibility to your practice.

Basic movements provide a strong foundation for any belly dance practice and are the starting point for variations and complex layering. This spotlight focuses on proper technique for three fundamental slow movements in tribal style belly dance,  Taxeem, Reverse Taxeem and Bodywave, to ensure a dramatic  presentation and prepare for advanced variations.

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

This class presents a combination that includes a simple isolation pattern, hip work, a traveling step, and a bit of a theatrical ending. It was created to be used over and over for several months, so it begins simply and increases tempo three times so you can work at your current speed and level. We begin with a yoga-based conditioning sequence for the upper back, and end with support for your hips.

This combination includes a simple isolation pattern, hip work, a traveling step, and a slightly theatrical ending. It was created to be used over and over for several months: it begins simply and increases tempo three times so you can work at your current speed. It's suggested that you warm up a bit before trying this combination.

Sedona Soulfire covers classic veil movements including toga, flag, arabian princess, hourglass, untuck, hip frame, and front to back toss. This is section one of her 20 part Sublime Veil Technique and Choreography workshop.

Sedona Soulfire covers classic veil movements including scoops, flourishes, back to front toss, sillouette, and the necklace. This is section two of her 20 part veil workshop, "Sublime Veil Technique and Choreography".

Sedona Soulfire covers classic veil movements including butterfly, frame 1, frame 2, tulip, barrel, helicopter, back butterfly, up and over, and the superstar. This is section three of her 20 part veil workshop: "Sublime Veil Technique and Choreography".

Sedona Soulfire covers classic veil movements including turns, delilah swish, chase, single wing, tidal wave, and the claudia. All moves demonstrated will strung together to create a pleasing short sequence.

This is section four of her 20 part veil workshop, "Sublime Veil Technique + Choreography".

Sedona offers fantastic tips for using your veil as a theatrical prop to add drama to your performances. She also covers how to go about gracefully recovering from the inevitable snags and drops you might encounter on stage.

A warm-up to prepare your for slow and sinuous movements. Can be used with other videos or all on its own. Included are side strengthening and stretching movements, as well as a dose of hip work.

This warm-up will prepare the whole body for movement and focus on the lower body, including conditioning for the legs and feet.  This exercise is appropriate for beginner dancers to advanced dancers wanting to develop strength in their lower body.

Yoga cool down for the low back and lateral muscles. Be sure to use some sort of cool down every time you dance, to stabilize the low back and stretch the sides of the body.

A short but fairly intense lateral bending practice for flexibility which includes the rib cage and sides of the body. This practice is especially useful for dancers working on Sidewinder, Side to Side Undulations, or any belly dance movements that work with the side ribs.

Zils add a wonderful dimension to any belly dance performance, providing excitement and a celebratory feel while highlighting the rhythms in the music. As with any musical instrument, it takes time to develop a level of proficiency and technique to allow you to play while dancing. This spotlight reviews the basic Triplets or Longa pattern, then introduces two zil patterns that may be used while dancing or while riffing with the music: the 3-1-3-1-3, which matches perfectly with Saiidi or Beledi rhythms and the 3-3-7. They are drilled individually then played together in a fun and challenging zil drill.

This spotlight is from Colette's Beginning ATS® Series.