By Ava, a stunning teacher I look forward to learning more from!

1. There is a definite difference between our postural alignment for a thigh shimmy and a hip shimmy
2. The thigh shimmy movement moves the shimmy from side-side, creating the shimmy effect – it is not done by wobbling the bum
3. The hip shimmy movement moves the shimmy up-down-up-down, we work from a slightly more tilted sacrum position, not a deep knee bend

without getting technical on the muscle work for the two shimmies (that’s for the ART 1 students), let me explain as best possible, the leg actions for both shimmies:

Thigh shimmy – your checks

1. Proper body posture and alignment
2. Sacrum is tilted slightly (creating a natural softness in the knees)
3. Alternatively push the legs to the front (the knee will automatically push forward as well) keeping count and keeping a sow – medium tempo
4. The body is nice and relaxed, NO sharp/hard pushes and pulls. NO hyper extension of the leg when releasing to the back position.
5. Tip for smoothing out the shimmy – alternatively release the heels off the floor – only very slightly – this will teach your brain the coordination work of the movement, then, settle into the shimmy with flat feet, when the legs are stronger and you have more control over the leg work  – I work with both approaches when I perform as it gives a very wide range of movement as well as the ability to transition very quickly from one positions to the next.
6. This shimmy is perfect for layers, variations, transitions, levels etc

 

Hip Shimmy – your checks

1. Proper body posture and alignment
2. Sacrum is tilted a little more (still creating a natural softness in the knees, without OVER bending) – if you feel tightness over your knees/around the knee area, you are working too deep!
3. Alternatively push the legs to the front, same as with the thigh shimmy (the knee will automatically push forward as well) keeping count and keeping a sow – medium tempo
4. The body is nice and relaxed, the hips work naturally up and down, without external/additional forcing – Again, NO sharp/hard pushes and pulls. Because of the deeper tilt in the sacrum, hyper extension of the leg when releasing to the back position is virtually impossible
5. The hip shimmy is never performed at ridiculous speeds, the beauty of this movement comes from the earthy, controlled and sustained action.
6. This shimmy is perfect for our Egyptian walks and their variations, Ghawazee shimmy, Bouree/choochoo shimmy etc

Happy shimmies ladies, and keep it simple, slow, and most importantly, keep the shimmy going!