Belly Dance Every Day - Shimmies Part 1
There are two basic shimmies - hip shimmies and shoulder shimmies. We’re going to start with shoulder shimmies.
Isolation is very important when you shimmy, whether you’re doing it with your shoulders or your hips. Some “aftershocks” are to be expected, but your posture should minimize them.
Start by standing in your basic posture - feet about shoulder-width apart, knees relaxed and slightly bent, pelvis tucked, back straight, shoulders back and relaxed, ribcage lifted. Hold your arms out at about shoulder height, keep your elbows soft and pointed to the back of the room. We’ll start by moving the right shoulder front, to the center and then back a few times - remember to just move the shoulder. Switch to the left shoulder and do the same.
Next, move your right shoulder forward while pulling your left shoulder back. Move both shoulders back to center, then move the right shoulder back while pushing the left shoulder forward. Do this a few times slowly, concentrating on hitting each point and keeping the rest of your body out of the movement.
Speed up the move some and you have a shoulder shimmy!
These are easier to do if you keep your shoulders relaxed, if you tense up, your shoulders will drift up and you will lose your neck, so remember to keep your neck long and your shoulders down.
