Shimmy is a fitness television series broadcast in Canada on ONE: The Mind and Body Channel that emphasizes the health benefits of belly dance.
[1] An original Canadian production, Shimmy premiered October 1, 2007 on ACCESS and CLT in Canada as well as in the United States on Discovery Health and OWN.
In the performance section, dancers in full costume combine the movements just taught into a low-impact choreography designed to burn calories.
Moves taught in this episode: Hip-piston, Snake Arms, Expressive Hand Gestures, Three-Quarter Shimmy[8] Episode 4: The Hippy Camel 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.
Moves taught in this episode: Step Touch Step, Egyptian Figure-Eight, Turkish Bump, Chest Circles, Liquid Arms[11] Episode 7: The Hanging Garden 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.
In the teaching sequence, viewers practice the ‘chest camel’ and the ‘ripple’ which are then combined with the sultry ‘full camel.’ ‘Hip pistons’ and ‘snake arms’ are added to create an authentic belly dance choreography.