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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!

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 is a beginning level Pilates workout designed with the needs of belly dancers in mind. The beginning of this workshop is an introduction to the principles of the method, and guides the student through the main points of stabilization and good form, and includes tips for self-correction. This class focuses on strengthening the abdominals, back muscles while stabilizing the body for belly dance movement. This workout features primarily classic Pilates exercises and offers a variety of modifications for beginners.

This short but effective yoga practice relaxes the deep and superficial muscles on either side of the spine, and supports and hips and low back. This sequence can be used for your belly dance practice or on it's own. This yoga sequence is part of Rachel's class, "Up Tempo Locks and Isolations".

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.

Belly Dance Flow Drillz have been created for the dedicated dancer as a means to drill almost all dance movements for a well-rounded daily practice. In this workshop Zoe will encourage a balance of strength, flexibility, and technique, utilizing sun salutations, Pilates, and good old fashioned belly dance. This practice will make you sweat, so drink lots of water, and you'll need a yoga mat and a towel.

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".

Part three of three of Ashley's Lower Body Conditioning class focuses on developing greater flexibility through yoga and Pilates based stretching.

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.

This spotlight is part two of three from Ashley's "Built for Belly Dance: Lower Body Conditioning Workshop". This class will include bellydance drills and a combo that focus on the legs and hips.

This spotlight is part one of three from Ashley's "Built for Belly Dance: Lower Body Conditioning Workshop". This class features 20 minutes of a strengthening warm up flow, focusing on the lower body.

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.

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 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.

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 "C" works with big belly dance hips, paddle turns, and undulations 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.

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 belly dance flow drills class will focus on layering muscular hip work with arm patterns and footwork. Zoe Jakes has created a format that teaches complex layering in a concise and clear way, and that is geared towards intermediate and advanced dancers of all styles. A yoga warm-up is strongly recommended before taking this class.

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 is a challenging beyond-beginner Pilates class designed just for bellydancers. In this workshop, we will practice exercises that target key muscle groups that are essential for bellydance technique as well as offer variations that help to balance the avid bellydancer’s body—addressing healthy spinal movement, range of motion, and offering pointers for injury prevention.

This intermediate to advanced level workshop will help those already proficent in deep bodywaves to achieve the coveted layback-drop-zipper combination. We begin with a yoga practice to strengthen the large muscles of the back, and to lengthen the hip flexors. Rachel then breaks down The Layback, The Cobra Basket turn, and drills The Zipper. Then you’ll move on to learning a challenging combination that includes laybacks, drops, berber walks, the Zipper, the Cobra Basket Turn, the Camel Walk Plunge and others. The combo can be used for group improvisation or choreography. Please proceed carefully, as this workshop is filled with movements that take time to master.

This workshop is a study in combining basic movements together to create clear, distinct layers of simultaneous movement. We will address layering a variety of basic upper body movements with a variety of basic lower body movements. This class is targeted toward the dancer who is beyond beginner and is ready to move into more complex multi-tasking territory.

This short but hip-work packed combination focuses on 3/4 shimmies, hip-work on the down, hip bumps, posture, and simple arm placement. It is high energy and can be used in your combinations or choreographies.

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. 

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 workshop will introduce the intermediate student to two technique phrases called “scales.” These phrases can be used for improvisation or choreography, as well as being strong technique drills. They are introduced individually, then practiced together in a combination. You will drill undulations, rib cage circles, maya, side to side undulations, a simple lock pattern, and a more complex isolation pattern. The class begins and ends with a brief warm up and cool down.

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.

Side-to-side undulations-up-to-down and down-to-up take a bit of coordination and flexibility in the rib cage and lateral muscles. Here, the undulations are paired with foot patterns to make a movement that's great for drilling, improvisation, or choreography. This spotlight is from Rachel's workshop, "Sinuous and Smoky Phrases".

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!

A short lead-and follow improvisation-drill to help you integrate side-to-side undulations, sidewinder, and bodywaves. Get warmed up for this one and jump in! If you need more information about these movements individually, they are explained in detail in Rachel's 'Sinuous and Smoky Phrases' class.

The Slow Burn Combo is an advanced combination for dancers already familiar with laybacks and drops. It includes the Cobra Basket turn, zippers, berber walks, a layback and drop, a fusion style Camel Walk Plunge, and a torso rotation. Get warmed up and give it a try! This spotlight is from Rachel's full workshop - "Laybacks, Drops, Zippers & Floorwork".

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".

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.

An up-tempo combination with a lot of changes, the Hagallah combo gives both your brain and body a bit of work. In addition to the hagallah, enjoy the Arabic Shimmy, optional level changes, and a few surprising transitions.

The segment features a break down and drill of the infamous Turkish front-back Shimmy. You will drill the shimmy at various speeds as well as learn a floor exercise that will assist in identifying, isolating, and strengthening the muscles involved in the Turkish front-back Shimmy.

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.

This spotlight breaks down three different 3/4 shimmy variations. The first includes a hip "up” accent, the second is the “over-shimmy” (using a figure 8 in the hips), and the third is a twist and drop variation... offering the experienced dancer three distinct flavors to play with! This spotlight is from Ashley's workshop, "3/4 Shimmy Variations and Layers."

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.

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.

This challenging yoga practice focuses on developing strength and flexibility in the muscles on either side of the spine, and will, over time, contribute to a healthier standing forward bend, known as the Layback.

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.

This basic full yoga practice was designed for belly dancers, but could be useful for anyone. Practicing regularly will improve your posture, increase spinal fluidity and flexibility, promote stability and lubrication in the joints, and cultivate strong legs.