Thread: Shimmy help

Does anyone out the know of a good video that address shimmies? I would like to work on different styles and learning to layer a little better. It would be a huge bonus if they actually talk about what the legs are doing and what type of shimmy they are using when they layer. I don't have problems with Egyptian and 3/4 shimmies but they don't seem appropriate for some layering. Any good suggestions?

There are some shimmy-specific DVDs from IAMED (http://bellydance.org/). I have "21 Shimmies and 1001 Variations" by Leyla Jouvana, and "Turbo Shimmy with Celeste." I like the Leyla Jouvana one a bit better. She also has a followup "More Shimmies and 1,000s of Variations," but I haven't seen that one yet.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Does anyone out the know of a good video that address shimmies? I would like to work on different styles and learning to layer a little better. It would be a huge bonus if they actually talk about what the legs are doing and what type of shimmy they are using when they layer. I don't have problems with Egyptian and 3/4 shimmies but they don't seem appropriate for some layering. Any good suggestions?

For working on different styles of shimmies, I loved Leyla Jouvana's shimmy video (21 shimmies) from IAMED. She breaks everything down beautifully and there's no question how she's generating each shimmy-- BUT she doesn't cover any layering in that one. They've just released a second shimmy video by her, I'd check the description -- if it says she teaches layering, I'd go for it. She's a very good video instructor.

Zahra Zuhair's 'Advanced Class' video is how I learned to layer. I can't remember whether she broke down the leg actions of the shimmy she used to layer with, though.

I liked leyla jouvana's 1001 shimmies dvd too, but I like to use Turbo shimmy for drilling. There's also 'The heartbeat of bellydance', I wasn't too fond of the choreographies but the dvd also has a shimmy drill section that includes a bit of layering and it's very affordable compared to the IAMED dvd's.

Leyla's second video covers a lot of layering.
Of course, I always liked this tip from Kami Liddle.
Take all the movements you know and put them in a jar. Pull out two and see if you can layer them.
I don't think there's any particular trick to layering, as in something someone can tell you to make it easier - you just have to keep working on it.
Aziza's Practice Companion has a great shimmy drill with layering too.

I love Aziza's shimmy drill BUT she doesn't break it down at all, she assumes you can already layer and just drills you on it.

Originally Posted by mekyria

I liked leyla jouvana's 1001 shimmies dvd too, but I like to use Turbo shimmy for drilling. There's also 'The heartbeat of bellydance', I wasn't too fond of the choreographies but the dvd also has a shimmy drill section that includes a bit of layering and it's very affordable compared to the IAMED dvd's.

I liked the Heartbeat of Bellydance but she didn't really show how you can keep the shimmy going when you are in various positions like a drop.

Thank you for all of the suggestions. You guys rock!

I have Hearbeat of Bellydance, and I like Leyla's 1001 Shimmies. But if you really need to work on shimmies, taking a class (actually, for anything) is always a big help because you are able to see the movements up close. Plus your teacher can correct you. Just a suggestion!

Best Wishes!

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

I have Hearbeat of Bellydance, and I like Leyla's 1001 Shimmies. But if you really need to work on shimmies, taking a class (actually, for anything) is always a big help because you are able to see the movements up close. Plus your teacher can correct you. Just a suggestion!

Best Wishes!

I totally agree. I was just looking for a little extra something.

Raqia Hassan volume 6, Soraya breaking down several layerings of shimmies and doing a fab drumsolo, Dandash doing a drum solo with layerings but no explanation