Hips

Here we will combine the 3/4 shimmy with chest slides, chest circles, the up-to-down body roll, and the down-to-up body roll. This spotlight is from Ashley's workshop, "3/4 Shimmy Variations & Layers."

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 advanced class combines five upper body isolations with a few lower body isolations in yet even more challenging variations. Here we will start to venture in to poly-rhythms as well. This spotlight is a segment of Ashley's "Layercake: Crazy Delicious Layering" class.

This is a footwork focused combination with folky inspiration. It features locks, hip work, spins, and traveling all with a playful style. The combo will be broken down, then drilled at increasing tempos and then run through at performance speed. An overall fast paced and fun combo!

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.

In this spotlight we will break down and drill all of the basic, head, chest, hip, and shoulder isolations. This is wonderful for anyone new to belly dance or the more advanced dancer looking to keep their isolation technique sharp and strong.

This spotlight is a part of the workshop: "Interesting and Innovative Isolations with Sedona".

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.

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".

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 class is designed for the beginning belly dancer or anyone looking to revisit and practice some basic belly dance essentials. In this video, we will start by breaking down belly dance posture. Then we’ll work with some basic footwork and traveling, hip locks, upper body isolations, and snake arms. Have a mat ready as we’ll begin with a short yoga and pilates conditioning sequence.

In this class, we explore a simple traveling combination and then add arm movements on top. Basic hip and chest movement will also be drilled, with a focus on clean, strong, muscular articulation. A nice, long arm and shoulder drill is included to build strength and stamina for beautiful and graceful arms. We will warm-up and cool-down with a bit of yoga and Pilates so grab your yoga mat as well!

This is a belly dance basics class, which will include a traveling combination and an isolation combination. For the traveling combo, we will break down the footwork and then add arm movement and hip locks. Next, isolations of the hips, shoulders, and chest will be drilled separately then put together in a combination toward the end. We’ll also practice walking with hip locks and speeding up the feet for a movement called the “choo choo.” Get ready for a fun shimmy drill, too! Have a mat ready for a pilates warm-up and yoga cool-down.

This is a belly dance basics class where we'll take basic isolations and string them together to create patterns and shapes! We’ll explore chest and hip circles, figure 8’s, and an isolation combination. Additionally, we’ll drill shimmies, snake arms, and a traveling combination with arm and hip layers. For our warm-up and cool-down, be ready for a little yoga and Pilates at the beginning and end of class.

This beginning level ATS® class introduces basic slow moves including posture, taxeem, hand floreo and reverse turn, and presents four fast moves: Arabic, Shimmy Step, Egyptian and Choo-choo. A zill pattern is paired with the fast moves and drilled. We start with a warm up and end with a cool down.

After a quick warm up, slow arm undulations, arm flourishes, and Bodywave are presented in this ATS® basic class. Fast variations, including Egyptian 1⁄2 Turn and Arabic Arm Flourishes are introduced and drilled with zils. We break down and drill duet and trio formations, then finish with a cool down.

This beginning level ATS ® class starts with a warm up, then introduces basic slow moves including Camel Walk, Torso Twist, and the Propeller Turn. Fast movements will include Shimmy Step, and Turkish Shimmy, and adding a 1/4 turn to the Turkish Shimmy. Class finishes with a zil drill that rotates through the common drill patterns used in ATS® followed by a cool down.

This beginning level ATS® class starts with a warm up then reviews posture. Wrap-around Turn is introduced and slow movements are layered onto level changes. We review Turkish Shimmy then add a 1⁄2 Turn and introduce Reach & Sit. Class finishes with a call and response zil drill which rotates through the common zil pattern used in ATS® and a cool down.

This is class 5 in Colette's Beginner's ATS® Series.

After a quick warm up, the beautiful Sahra Turn is introduced and Reverse Taxeem is layered with Arm Undulations in this ATS® basic class. We review fast foot positions then breakdown Arc-Arm Turn and Shoulder Shimmy. Ghawazee Shimmy and Arabic Hip-twist are introduced and put into combos to drill with zils. Transitions specifically suited for trios and quartets are broken down and drilled, then class finishes with a cool down.

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.

This class serves as a wonderful introduction to the beautiful art of belly dance. We will cover some of the most fundamental movements in a belly dance repertoire. You will learn various styles of hip figure 8’s as well as many gorgeous traveling movements. Each movement will be broken down, drilled and then put together in a drill style combination.

This workshop will be focusing on some of the most fundamental belly dance movements. This is the perfect intro class for someone new to belly dance or a more advanced dancer looking to fine-tune the basics. In this class you will learn the Egyptian Basic, various hip circles, and hip twists. We will do all movements in place and then travel with them as well. Each movement is broken down, drilled, and then finally combined with complimentary movements and danced!

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.

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.

This warm-up has a focus on warming the joints in the hips and the muscles that surround it as well as preparing the whole body for belly dance. It is suitable as a general preparation for belly dance and will be especially helpful for a practice with a focus on hip work.

This segment is part of Sedona's "Bold and Beautiful Big Hip Movements" workshop.

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".

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.

This is a fun, challenging, intermediate-level belly dance choreography to "Bounce" by Solace. In this fusion piece we'll play with some locking isolation combinations, layers, funky belly-dance based traveling steps and turns as well as a few Polynesian-inspired moves. This choreography is presented as a solo piece but with a few simple modifications, it can be done as a duet.

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.

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.

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 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 "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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

This fundamentals video pairs hip-work on the up and down with a very simple foot and arm pattern, and offers important information for the safe repetition of these movements. If you want to learn to belly dance, this is a great place to start after your warm up!

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 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 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.

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.

In this spotlight we will mix and match many of the basic isolations to create complex and interesting patterns. This spotlight is part of Sedona's "Interesting and Innovative Isolations" workshop.

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.

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.

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.

This combination is chock full of fancy footwork to challenge any bellydancer! Lots of brisk isolations and hipwork compliment the quick and nimble feet detailed in this combination.

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.

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.

This spotlight focuses on to a technique concept called “scales". In this video, Rachel will break down and drill the scale called "Pinball".

The Pinball scale combines undulations, rib cage circles, maya, side to side undulations, a simple lock pattern, and a more complex isolation pattern. These phrases can be used for improvisation or choreography, as well as being strong technique drills. This spotlight is taken from Rachel's "Serpentine Scales Workshop".

This video features a drill of the scale combinations Pinball and Sugar together. Use this spotlight to drill the phrases or for a more detailed breakdown of each of these movements, refer to "Serpentine Scales: Pinball and Sugar" 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!

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.

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 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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

This segment breaks down and drills the Waggle Shimmy, a large and lovely rocking style hip shimmy. This spotlight is from Sedona's full 4-shimmy workshop: "Shimmy Quartet".

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.

In this Intermediate level class, a choreography featuring the Sword is presented to MWE's song, "Los Biblicos"*. Beginning with an entrance, the piece starts with the presentation of the Sword and dramatic Sword handling. The tension increases as the Sword is balanced and Tribal Style movements and variations are executed. This choreography is applicable to all styles of belly dance and may be utilized by ATS® or ITS groups.

To brush up on Tribal Style Sword Fundamentals, check out Colette's Slow and Fast Tribal Style Sword Classes. *Note: This choreography uses an edited version of the MWE song, "Los Biblicos". The choreography is from 00:47 to 4:06 of the track.

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.

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.

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.