Bellydancing?

Question

i started bellydancing in march and am now able to do a shimmy but when i try to do a shimmy with scoop figure 8, or shimmy with hip circle, my legs dont bend 1 then the other like in a normal shimmy, they both bend together up and down at the same time if that makes any sense.

I do a shimmy then as soon as i start to move my chest to the side, they both just shake together,

once you learn how to do a shimmy, how long before you can do it with scoop figure 8 and hip circle and what are the best ways to warm up or hit the right muscles before practicing it

Answer 1

Layering movements such as doing a shimmy at the same time as a hip circle, figure eight, undulation, etc... can be very difficult for a beginner.  Most instructors teach layering in advanced-beginner or intermediate classes.  If you just started bellydancing I am not surprised that it is giving you trouble.  The best advise I can give is the good 'ol "practice, practice, practice."  On a more technical note... when you attempt layering you need to have good control over both the movenments you are attempting.  Then start with only one movement and then add the other movement in.  Don't try starting them both at the same time.  Usually you add the shimmy on to whatever other movement you are doing.  For example you start with a small hip circle do it a few times and then add in the shimmy.  The weight changes of layered moves require some adjustments and "getting used to".  Additionally when you do a shimmy layered onto another movement you will generally be adding on what's often refered to as a 3/4 shimmy (names for movements vary greatly in bellydance)  This type of shimmy is different than a 4/4 shimmy (the usual stationary shimmy).  In the 3/4 Shimmy you bend the knee twice on each side.  Here's a video demonstration by Cassiopeia on the 3/4 Shimmy (note that when you layer it you do not sway from side to side as much as she does in the video).

3/4 shimmy (up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvF3rvEbd...

a 3/4 up shimmy (walking)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YhPv7mZD...

a 3/4 down shimmy (aka Sohair Zaki style)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWhtVdLui...

The easiest layered movement to start with is a sliding shimmy.  Here's a video of a sliding shimmy(aka 3/4 shimmy slide).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR1DcFPVn...

As for doing a shimmy while doing a ribcage circle or chest lift (or etc..) this is about isolation and just requires more practice for the most part.

Ask your instructor to help you with these isolations and layers if you really want to improve since the technique is something you will not learn well from words or videos alone.

You may want to read through some of the movement descriptions on my website or look at the movement thesaurus to see what movements are called by different dancers.

http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Shira's site also has a lot of good information.

http://www.shira.net

If you want detailed answers about bellydance moves, technique, or anything bellydance related you will want to join a bellydance forum such as bhuz which will give you answers from professional dancers and instructors:

http://www.bhuz.com

Answer 2

I would try and answer this, but Cassandra answered it way better then I could even attempt to!  The girl knows what she's talking about.  

Btw, Cassandra, I really liked your website.