So now, we have a definition of a shimmy, the next question
is how to do it. And, no, the answer is more than “move very fast”. There are a
number of ways that you can move. Let’s take the two most common shimmies the
“shoulder shimmy” and the “hip shimmy” – that isn’t two shimmies. It is at least
seven!
Shoulder Shimmies
There are (at least) two moves known as a “shoulder shimmy”.
One moves the shoulders horizontally and one twists the torso.
The horizontal shoulder shimmy is very isolated and used
only in Orientale – it isn’t used in folk (unless you want to layer it with a
shoulder roll). In its pure form you pull the shoulder back and push it forward
without twisting the torso – or lifting or rotating the shoulder.
The more common form may include some horizontal shoulder
movement but is mainly driven by twisting the torso. But it is more complex
than that. You can generate the twist in different parts of your torso to give
a different flavour.
Hip Shimmies
My own default hip shimmy is driven by the concentric
contraction of lateral flexors - particularly the quadratus lumborum with the
internal and external obliques (I had to analyse it for a ‘varsity paper but
needed the help of a sports physio!). In layman's language, I use my waist
muscles to drive the hips up and down - but the knees bend to accommodate the
movement. (They have to.)
Most people learn to shimmy by initially bending and
straightening alternate legs. This means the hips go up and down but the
lateral flexors just go along for the ride. (This is sometimes referred to as a
"knee shimmy")
Another common (older style?) shimmy involves twisting the
hips back and forward. Again you can drive this with the obliques or the legs.
(This is sometimes called a "Folk Shimmy")
The Modern Egyptian shimmy is really a refined version of
this driven by the legs (the knees are not "straight" as in locked -
but straighter to look good under a slim line skirt). You slightly flex one leg
then straighten it using your quads. This drives the hip back rather than up.
A recent invention is the Salimpour glute driven shimmy.
This looks to me as if it is almost getting away from a relaxed shimmy and
moving more into a vibration. However, many people do use it.
As with the shoulder shimmy, people often don't do a
"pure" version of a shimmy but mix and match - sometimes always but
sometimes for a particular effect or layer. And few people know or care what
muscles are doing what. What is important is how it looks; whether it fits the
music.
Then there is a whole family of “three-quarter shimmies”
where your hips move only three quarters of the time. How the hips move and
which leg carries the weight make this a whole article in itself (maybe later).
Practice
No matter which shimmy you use, it needs practice to be
smooth and controlled. It is important that the underlying technique is
correct. So, start slow and build up the speed. If you lose it back off the
speed – then bring it back up. Remember it should be in time with the music.
Ideally it should be relaxed – even when small and fast.
Once you have the speed – go for endurance. Can you shimmy
for a whole track? What about something longer?
Then you “just” add weight shifts and layers. Try shimmying
on one leg. Which shimmies work best? How does shifting your weight change the
feel of the shimmy? What about walking with a shimmy? Figure eights? Oriental
circles? As you approach some layers you may have to go back to first
principles and work out exactly why you lose your shimmy at the back of your
circle or whatever.
It takes time. 10 000 repetitions to bed in a new movement
pattern - but it has to be 10 000 correct repetitions. Go for it!
