Shimmy - Season 1

Dance Level: Beginner

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Hips and Thighs

The Shimmy Dancers lead you through a series of fundamental belly dance moves like the ‘Shoulder Shimmy' and ‘Hip Rotations' making this a perfect episode for beginners, or those wanting to go back to basics. Moves taught in this episode: Shoulder Shimmy, Hip Rotation, 1, 2, 3 Hop, Hip Pop, Head Slide

The spine is the stem of the tree of life – it supports and controls body and mind. We begin this episodes with a relaxing warm-up beside the ocean focussing on stretching and strengthening the spine. The Shimmy Dancers – beautiful women of all shapes, colours and sizes -- then lead you through a series of fundamental belly dance moves like the shoulder shimmy and hip rotations. The hops and pops give the final choreography a Turkish-style zest, along with being a great cardio workout. Beginning dancers may find the speed of the dance in the performance section very quick, but don't worry! Go through the instructional section a few more times and you'll able to dance along with our sassy Dominique in no time!

Dance Level: Beginner- Intermediate

Fitness Category: Stretch and Strengthen

Target Zones: Hips and Glutes

Nothing says middle-eastern dance like the classic ‘Head Slide': the variations we teach will give any dance routine an exotic flavour as voluptuous Gillian leads us through the sensual ‘Turkish Figure-Eight'. Moves taught in this episode: Head Slide, Basic Egyptian Step, Hip Circles, Turkish Figure-Eight

Moving energy from the ground up, we begin this episode by stretching the legs, then spine and finally the neck. Perfect for beginning dancers, this episodes teaches belly dance fundamentals from the basic Egyptian step to hips circles. Of course, nothing says middle-eastern dance like the classic head slide: the variations we teach will give any dance routine an exotic flavour. The voluptuous Gillian leads us through the sensual Turkish figure eight. If it seem too difficult to work the hips and the arms together, don't worry -- practice just the lower body the first time through and add the arm movements the next time. For more experienced dancers, try using your hands and eyes to draw attention to the movements like Shivaun and Adalat.

Dance Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Arms and Hips

Moves taught in this episode like ‘Expressive Hand Gestures' give performances from even beginning dancers an authentic feel, while moves like the ‘Three-Quarter Shimmy' will show your technical skills. Moves taught in this episode: Hip-piston, Snake Arms, Expressive Hand Gestures, Three-Quarter Shimmy

Let the beautiful Shimmy Dancers, women of all shapes, sizes and colours, lead you to the exotic lands of belly dance. Smooth fluid arms layered on sharp flirty hips give this episode a tribal feel. Follow along as the voluptuous Manon sways with the movements, letting her whole body feel the music. Simple hand gestures can give performances from even beginning dancers an authentic feel, while moves like the ¾ shimmy will show your technical skills. In the performance section, the trio of friends -- Shivaun, Karen and Gillian -- show how beautiful belly dance can be when performers are in tune with each other's rhythms!

In belly dance, the majority of the movements comes from the hips, but so much of the expression of the dance comes from the hands. We begin this episode with a series of hip opening stretches and then carry on to various movement to increase flexibility and grace in the hands. With so much of our lives these days is spent hunched over computers, we lose flexibility and strength in our backs and shoulders. The chest camel and shoulder rolls are sensual and fluid dance moves that also help increase strength and flexibility in these neglected areas. Add on some hip isolations and a vigorous village shimmy (also taught in this episode and you've got a perfect lunch time office workout.

Dance Level: Beginner

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Back and Glutes

The ‘Chest Camel' and ‘Shoulder Rolls' are sensual and fluid dance moves that also help increase strength and flexibility in these neglected areas. Adding on ‘M and M's' and a vigorous ‘Village Shimmy', the Shimmy Dancers lead you through a perfect lunchtime office workout. Moves Taught in this Episode: Shoulder Rolls, Village Shimmy, M and M's, Chest Camel

As any dancer will tell you, flexibility in the legs and back is critical to control and fluidity, so we begin this episode by stretching legs and back. Undoubtedly, The Shimmy Dancers' favourite combination in the series was the three step turn and hip bounce. When you dance along with us, you'll know why we love this fun and flirty combination. The addition of the cabaret shimmy and the gawazzi step make this one of the most energetic episodes in the series so get ready to shimmy away some serious calories. You'll remember to smile along as our statuesque red-head, Simone, leads you through a stage-worthy performance of the moves we've just learned.

Dance Level: Beginner

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Thighs and Arms

Undoubtedly, the Shimmy Dancers' favourite combination in the series was the ‘Three Step Turn' and ‘Hip Bounce'. Dance along with us and you'll know why we love this fun and flirty combination. Moves Taught in this Episode: Three Step Turn, Hip Bounce, Ghawazee Step, Cabaret Shimmy, Side Step Arm Sweep

Dance Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Back and Glutes

If typing away at a computer has got your upper back stiff, ‘Chest Circle' and ‘Liquid Arms' will not only ease the pain, but prevent future aches by strengthening those neglected muscles, and they are damn sexy to boot! Moves taught in this episode: Step Touch Step, Egyptian Figure-Eight, Turkish Bump, Chest Circles, Liquid Arms

Take inspiration from the incredible flexibility and strength of our tri-athlete and mother of three, Karen, with a yoga-inspired warm-up to get your body ready to shimmy. Graceful arm movements add an emotional element to the dance as The Shimmy Dancers display a variety of traditional and cabaret upper arm and hand stylings. Watch how a basic travelling step like the grapevine and the ballet-inspired round-de-jambe take on a sensual middle-eastern flavour simply by emphasizing the hip. Every part of your body has a voice, so let it sing!

Dance Level: Beginner

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Thighs and Belly

The Shimmy Dancers display a variety of traditional and cabaret upper arm and hand movements like ‘Falling Leaves' and how a basic travelling step like the ‘Grapevine' and the ballet-inspired ‘Ronde de Jambe' take on a sensual middle-eastern flavour simply by emphasizing the hip. Moves taught in this episode: Grapevine, Falling Leaves, Head Slide, Ronde de Jambe, Hip Circle

Unlike in other dance forms, where performers on stage continually face their audience, belly dancing's intimate nature means that dancers often perform in small clubs and restaurants, surrounded by their audience, so being able to turn gracefully is critical. In this episode we practice both the graceful cut turn and a quick spin to enable you to engage the audience members all around you. After a review of the upper and lower body shimmies, we take the cabaret shimmy to an advanced level by layering it on top of a hip circle. Don't worry if this move feels difficult in the beginning – it is one of the most advanced moves in the whole Shimmy program. Just keep practicing the cabaret shimmy and hip circle separately then, after you are very comfortable with both of them alone, layer them together.

Dance Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Glutes and Thighs

In this episode we practice moves like the ‘Cut Turn' and a quick spin on the ‘Sa'idi Step' to enable you to engage the audience members all around you. Moves taught in this episode: Shoulder Shimmy, Shimmy Layered Hip Circle, Cut Turn, Sa'idi Step, Hip Rotation, Tremor Layered Figure-Eight

We begin this episode with a true dancers' warm-up aimed at increasing flexibility in the legs and back. The teaching section is excellent for those interested in tribal belly dance as we combine sharp lower body movements with fluid upper body moves -- a classic combo in tribal style. The level changes and hopping make this episode the biggest calorie burner in the Shimmy program so the finale features energetic solos from the tight and toned Dominique and Karen. Remember to use your glutes and not just you quads when changing levels and keep your arms up high for a real work-out.

Dance Level: Beginner

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zone: Glutes and Arms

The teaching section is excellent for those interested in tribal belly dance as we combine the sharp ‘Hip Piston' with ‘Snake Arms'—a classic combo in tribal style. Moves Taught in This Episode: Hip Piston, Hip Pop, 1,2,3 Hop, Snake Arms

It's been suggested that belly dance should really be called "hip dance" as this is where the real movement of the dance comes from. In this episode we highlight correct positioning and movement of the hips with moves like the playful hip bounce, maya hips, and the ultra-sexy Egyptian figure eight. The three step turn with hip bounce is a favourite of Adalat and Shivaun's – flirty yet classic. We all loved shooting the performance section with an incredible team of fire dancers but, despite their tricks, Simone steals the show – oozing with sensuality.

Dance Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Thighs and Glutes

In this episode highlights correct positioning and movement of the hips with moves like the playful ‘Hip Bounce,' ‘Maya Hips,' and the ultra-sexy ‘Egyptian Figure-Eight.' Moves Taught in This Episode: Three Step Turn, Hip Bounce, Maya Hips, Egyptian Figure-Eight

As hip movements are so important in belly dance, we begin this episode with several hip-opening stretches, both seated and standing. Attaining flexibility in these joints will allow you to not just dance, but walk, run, and play with more grace and fluidity. The moves from the teaching section represent some of the most well-loved Middle-Eastern dance moves like head-slides and hip-circles: moves that impress audiences. Mastering the moves in this episode, originating from Lebanon, Egypt, India, and Turkey, will make you a truly international dancer.

Dance Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Glutes, Hips and Thighs

The moves from the teaching section represent some of the best-loved Middle-Eastern dance moves like the ‘Head Slide' and the ‘Hip Circle' while mastering the ‘Egyptian Figure-Eight' and the ‘Turkish Bump,' will make you a truly international dancer. Moves Taught in this Episode: Head Slide, Hip Circle, Egyptian Figure Eight, Turkish Bump

From the village shimmy, to the Lebanese hip circle, to zar head, moves taken from Middle-Eastern folk dances give this episode a particularly authentic feel and remind us of the joy of being with a community of dancers. Our gorgeous Shimmy Dancers next teach that signature move that no belly dancer's repertoire can be complete without: the belly roll. For some it comes naturally, for others it takes and effort. Take it slow, following the break-down exactly, repeating if you until you can smooth it out, and by the end of the episode you'll be able to roll along with us!

Dance Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Fitness Category: Tighten and Tone

Target Zones: Belly and Back

From the ‘Village Shimmy', to the ‘Lebanese hip-Circle', to ‘Zar head', moves taken from Middle Eastern folk dances give this episode a particularly authentic feel while ‘Shoulder Rolls' add sensuality. Moves Taught in this Episode: Shoulder Rolls, Village Shimmy, Lebanese Hip-Circle, Zar Head, Belly Roll

We begin this episode with a standing warm-up and stretch aimed at improving balance and enhancing grace and fluidity then return to the fundamentals aiming for perfection of the basic Egyptian step. Next, we take the basics to a new level, adding variations, creating one of the most challenging moves in the whole series: the standing figure eight layered with the tremor. If you can't layer these moves together the first time through, you are not alone! Keep practicing the moves separately then try putting them together on your second or third time through. A little bit of extra belly really accentuates these moves so pay attention to the sensuous ripples the voluptuous Manon creates while performing the tremor then treat yourself to a bowl of pasta! Why diet when you can Shimmy?

Dance Level: Advanced

Fitness Category: Calorie-Burner

Target Zones: Glutes and Thighs

In this episode we take the basics to a new level, adding variations, to create the most challenging moves in the whole series: the ‘Tremor Layered Figure-Eight' and the ‘Shimmy Layered Hip Circle'. Moves Taught in this Episode: Basic Egyptian Step, Turkish Figure-Eight, Shimmy Layered Hip Circle, Tremor Layered Figure-Eight, Sa'idi Step