Tips for a better Shimmy
The shimmy is the trademark movement in bellydance. Loved both by dancers and fans, but many times difficult for the students and impossible for the audience of this dance. Sometimes seems difficult and impossible, but that is not true!
To increase the level, endurance and the perfect result in the movement, you only need to be methodical in your practice!
I have some tips for faster results. Tips That Will Really Make shimmy Your Favorite Move!
1) Choose the favorite and easiest shimmy for you.
Initially, the shimmy is a category of many movements that are performed at very fast speeds in different parts of the body, such as hips, knees, pelvis and other points.
2) Start by warming up.
Ten minutes and a good warm-up are enough to wake up and activate the muscle groups we will work with. In the warm-up we need simple strengthening exercises to activate the muscles but not tighten them. Also add stretches to the warm-up to help the joints breathe and not lock up.
3) Put on music.
Let your favorite songs play loud!! The mind and body would better follow the existing rhythm. The mind is forgotten listening to a nice piece and the body wants to follow the music. This makes the whole practice a more joyful process and removes the strict ΄΄judge΄΄ inside our head that insists we won’t make it, we’re not doing it right or we have to make it now!
4) Maintain posture.
You may choose to work for example with the hips or knees, but this does not mean that we are not interested in the posture of the rest of the body as this is what plays a decisive role in the execution of the movements. Keep your spine active. Straight spine, pelvis in the center. Feel the energy invigorate the whole body. Muscles and bones are connected to each other. If the upper part of the body falls, it will automatically affect to the lower part of the body and by extension the movement with which we work.
5) Start with the slow speed.
It is good to start on slow tempo. Stay on slow tempo and try to understand your body. Realize what movement you are making, realize how , this great mechanism we have, works. Which muscles work for stabilization and which for mobilization.
6) Increase speed.
Gradually and as you feel more confident, increase the speed. It’s good to be aware of your posture often.
7) Play with the speeds.
Change speeds. From slow to fast and medium. Think of it as a game and play with the speeds. At this point, it’s good to see how your body reacts. Can it easily change speeds? Do you feel lost or out of tune? What is the easiest and what is the most difficult speed for you?
8) Stay longer in the easiest speed.
Increase the duration to the speed that is easiest for you. In this way you own the specific movement, at the specific speed and you are ready to conquer the next one, as opposed to constantly changing speeds or shimmies, without feeling confident in a specific position.
9) Relax.
If your body starts to tighten, just relax. A few breaths and stretches are helpful at this point. The body as well as the mind needs first to calm down after be ready to start again.
10) Breathe!
Breathing is one of the most important points, that’s why we don’t want to hold it. If you keep it, your body will work differently. TMuscles and brain need oxygen to function. Do not deprive it, especially at the time of our practice, as it is the point where we gain confidence, build our technique and also our development.
11) Stretching.
In the last part of the exercise we need stretching! Slow breathing and relaxation of the body. Take as much time as you think you need and thank your body for giving you these results.
Work through these steps. See which step was difficult for you but also which seemed easier to you. Study them and find WHY. This way you are ready to consciously work on your weakest part but also to strengthen your best part.
Try it for a week and note the changes. Recognize your progress.
You can share with me the impressions, the questions and the difference into your shimmy as well!
Enjoy your practice
Dimitra Zarzouki