Dear Shira:

Forward and Back Shimmy

The Question

Dear Shira:

What exactly is a "forward and back" shimmy? We keep hearing the term but cannot find an explanation. We all know how to shimmy, but don't quite understand what is meant by that term.

--Curious Troupe

Shira Responds

Dear Curious:

In the usual movement people think of when they hear the word "shimmy", the hips make an up-and-down or side-to-side motion. In a forward-and-back shimmy, the hips make a forward-and-back motion.

It's important for this movement to be a very tiny, delicate vibration, with the emphasis more on the backward part of the motion rather than on the forward thrust, because many audience members would find a larger or forward-focused motion offensively obscene. But when done as I described (tiny vibration, delicate movement, emphasis on the back part of the motion), it doesn't look sexual and therefore is acceptable for a family-oriented audience.

Don't perform this one in public until you're certain your movement truly looks like a tiny vibration instead of pelvic thrusts. If in doubt, ask a non-dancer to watch you do it and give you a critique.

When practicing this, keep the small of your back relaxed to avoid possible injury. Your feet should be in the customary belly dance position of about shoulder width or slightly less apart, toes pointing straight forward, knees relaxed.

--Shira

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About this Column

Shira has received many questions from readers over the years related to various aspects of the dance. In this column, she picks some of the more interesting ones to answer publicly. Details contained in the questions are sometimes removed or disguised to protect the anonymity of the person who asked the question.