Summer Fitness: Belly Dance through the Summer Heat

Staying Fit in the Summer Summer is the time of year for short-shorts and tank-tops, but it’s also a time of barbeques, pina coladas and

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Stretching for Belly Dance

Add Grace to Your Belly Dancing and Prevent Arthritis Everybody know how important it is to stretch before you belly dance to avoid injury and to increase flexibility.

15 minute Belly Dance Booty Workout

Get a Bootylicious With Workout Using 4 Authentic Belly Dance Moves Belly Dance is one of the only dance forms that accepts all body types – in fact,

Relieving Back Pain through Belly Dance

It’s estimated that 80% of people will experience some sort of back pain at some point in their lives. One of the most common causes of back

Belly Dancing and Pregnancy

Belly Dancing and Pregnancy Did you know that belly dance can actually help your body prepare for pregnancy? In many parts of the world, it is the mother-in-law’s duty to

The Origins of “Shimmy” TV

In 2006 OmniFilm created the award winning Namaste — a stunning yoga series produced in filmed in gorgeous Vancouver, Canada. Namaste inspired thousands of people around the world to take

Roma Dance in Istanbul

Last summer “Shimmy” dancer and associate producer, Shivaun, spent three months working with Roma (gypsy) dancers in Istanbul. Her interviews with some of Istanbul’s most well-known Roma dancers like Sema

What’s in Your Gig Bag?

Part of the fun of being a belly dancer is the spontaneity of our community — but this can lead to stress. You never want to miss out on a

Choosing Your First Belly Dance Costume

Choosing Your First Belly Dance Costume Admit it: the costumes are the best part about belly dance! And buying a costume will make you keener to practice and all

What’s Your Ancient Turkish Horoscope?

Belly dance takes many of its movements from ancient Egyptian, Turkish, and Persian dances. The ancient Turks were a shamanist culture that believed that divine energy could be found in

Istanbul for Belly Dancers

One of the greatest things about learning to belly dance is that it gives you an excuse to travel to the lands of its origin. Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon,

Arabic Names for Belly Dancers

Whether you are a professional dancer or just a beginner, choosing a stage name can help you free yourself from the constraints of daily life and spur your creativity. Here