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."

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.

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.

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".

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 "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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.