Although its origins are unclear, the roots of belly dancing can be traced to the Middle East and North Africa at the time of the Pyramids. Today this type of dance is back in fashion in the rhythms of modern pop and dance music. The Colombian star Shakira has the merit of making it popular, having managed to give this dance its very personal Latin flavor. With this easy guide you will be able to move exactly like Shakira whenever you want!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Getting started
Step 1. Tune in to dance songs that are particularly suited to belly dancing
Shakira's love for this type of dance began when, at the age of four, she listened to Arabic music in a Middle Eastern restaurant. Traditional Arabian and Mediterranean music are particularly suitable for belly dancing, especially if accompanied by the powerful sound of the doumbek, the traditional Arabian drum.
Many modern pop and dance songs work just as well. Any medium fast time is suitable. Shakira's music is often heavily influenced by Latin rhythms, so you might want to try some of the most popular Latin hip hop and reggaeton songs as well
Step 2. Get into the classic belly dance position
This type of dance is all about keeping your core structure firm without burdening the spine. Maintain an upright posture - make sure your back is straight and chest out. Don't bag yourself up. Gently pull your shoulders back, as if you have to stand at attention. Bend your knees slightly without locking them as you dance. At first it will be difficult to be able to make fluid and undulating movements of the torso.
When you start dancing, align your hips with your body. Shakira is famous for her ability to move her hips in a provocative way. You could also imitate his moves, but always come back with your hips in line, in a resting position. Prolonged misalignment could cause back pain
Step 3. Start "shimmy"
A belly dancer is almost always on the move. Practice the basic movement. The shimmy is essential to be able to perform even the most complicated techniques of this type of dance. If you happen to get lost during a routine, you can always get back to this movement with ease. It takes some practice, but it's worth it.
- To do the shimmy, bend your knees a little more than normal. Straighten one leg to lift one side of the hip towards the body. Return with the leg in a bent position as you straighten the other. Learn the basic movement, then gradually increase the speed until you can keep time.
- Make sure you keep your feet flat against the floor, don't lift them on toes.
Step 4. Keep your arms up
They should normally remain parallel to the floor or high while dancing. This is for various reasons - for example, raised arms cause stomach muscles to contract giving the belly a more compact appearance. Most importantly, the raised arm movement can be incorporated into your routine. Try to imitate the waves with your arms, waving them in time or as if you were telling someone to "follow you"!
Follow this rule in moderation. Shakira often lowers her arms doing hip hop influenced moves (see in the video "She Wolf")
Step 5. Accentuate your dance with hand and leg movements
Time to spice things up a little! Belly dance is an activity that involves the whole body with coordinated movements of all four limbs; you can give your dance any kind of personality you want. For example, you may want to give your style a veil of mystery - in this case, try sliding your hands in front of your face as if you want to hide from the audience. Or maybe you want to give the impression of being fierce and aggressive - use your legs to turn dramatically. The possibilities are endless - here are some tips you might experiment with:
- Try a royal "Cleopatra" style movement: stretch one arm out in front of you as if you were admiring your image holding a mirror in your hand, holding the other arm over your head, as if you were combing your hair. Alternate arms following the rhythm!
- Conquer the floor! Lying on one side, lift up with one arm, extending the other and one leg towards the ceiling. Move them to the beat of the music - or, if you're flexible, use your arm to stretch your leg towards your head.
- Add wrist and finger movements. For a little extra touch that is very effective, try to make the elongated fingers dance the dance as well as you turn and move your arms in front of you.
Step 6. Keep the provocative look
The dancer's attitude can enhance or dampen the effect of belly dancing. Generally you should aim to look sexy and flirty, yet mysterious at the same time. Keep a mischievous smile on your face. Wink at the audience. Turn your back and then look at them subtly as you continue to dance. Above all, have fun - the audience will get involved.
To drive your audience crazy, focus on one particular person individually. Try dancing next to him - his male friends will go into raptures, his friends will go green with envy
Method 2 of 2: Part 2: Moving like Shakira
Step 1. Keep your core toned
The main purpose of belly dance is of course the movement of the part in question. Shakira has a large, flexible stomach with toned muscles and is what makes her belly dancing particularly impressive. A lean, strong abdomen makes belly and hip movements easier (and absolutely suggestive for those who like to watch). Anyone can dance this type of dance, regardless of body type, but any aspiring belly dancer will reap several benefits with a good body workout.
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Maintaining a strong core and a toned abdomen doesn't mean endless crunches. Do a daily exercise routine that works every muscle - the more you keep them strong, the better your dance will be. See: How To Strengthen Your Core. Try to work at least the following groups:
- Abdominal muscles
- Dorsal
- Flanks
- Legs
- Buttocks
Bellydance Like Shakira Step 8 Step 2. Put on a suitable costume
The focus of attention is naturally on the stomach, so choose clothing that emphasizes the entire area around this area. Traditional belly dancing often calls for ornamental tops and kerchief skirts (sometimes with side slits to show the legs) or baggy Arab-style trousers. Shakira sometimes wears traditional-inspired clothing (see for example the video for "Hips Don't Lie"); however, she often takes a more modern approach wearing bikini-style tops, short jeans or skirts (see "La Tortura").
- Both traditional and modern Shakira attire are renowned for showing off most of the waist and bust - don't be shy!
- Traditionally, belly dancers embroider metal bells to create a rhythmic sound as they dance. Some incorporate veils to give the dance an air of mystery. Trial!
- Stretch your back and abs.
Bellydance Like Shakira Step 9 Step 3. Practice individual hip and torso movements
Shakira has incredible control of her muscles, she can move and vibrate them with ease. Beginners should work on isolated belly movements before they can coordinate their whole body. Here are some key moves:
- Rotation of the hips. These movements are the icing on the cake in belly dancing. Make small circular motions with each hip, starting with one side at a time, then alternating them.
- Stomach vibrations. This movement is particularly striking, especially on a well-toned stomach. Contract the upper abdominals then the central ones, finally the lower ones to obtain a waving movement with the torso. Once you have gained confidence, support this move with back and forth hip movements.
- Hip pops. Features of the video "Hips Don't Lie". Lift one of your heels so that you have one foot flat on the ground and one on your toes. As you do this, try to make your hip stick out to one side. Practice increasing the speed until you can repeat in time to the music.
Bellydance Like Shakira Step 10 Step 4. Emulate pop and hip hop moves
As already mentioned, Shakira's style of choreography is deeply influenced by pop and hip hop music. A dance routine inspired by Shakira's should also include all other genres and therefore movements such as:
- "Drop". Sit down suddenly and then slowly get up languidly.
- Circular movements of the chest. Shakira is able to incredibly move her torso independently of the rest of her body. Try to pull him back as you push him out gently, but in a quick motion. Emphasize movement with your arms. For an added challenge, try rotating your upper torso in a circle that follows the line of the shoulders!
- Theatrical bends. Shakira is super flexible, capable of squirming and bending into sexy and dramatic poses (see the cage scenes in "She Wolf"). Stay lean and toned - strong, flexible muscles are a must.
Bellydance Like Shakira Step 11 Step 5. Use Shakira's moves
To really grasp her unique style, you should study how her body moves in the videos. You will quickly realize that aside from the footsteps, Shakira's style varies from song to song. His moves are usually influenced by pop, hip hop, latin and ethnic music. In many songs you will find tracks of each genre. When viewing his videos take note of the individual moves to work on.
- A good starting point for studying are the videos of his most popular songs: "Whenever, Wherever", "Hips Don't Lie", "She Wolf", and "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)".
- Shakira's 2007 performance of "Ojos Así" in Dubai had a Middle Eastern musical interlude that gave her the opportunity to show off her classical belly dancing skills. Watch it!
- Don't forget to add your own personal touch. Shakira is great to emulate, but what makes a routine unique is one where you can express yourself.
Advice
- The most important thing to remember is to keep the movements of any part of your body isolated. Isolating is the key to dancing like Shakira. If you move your hips, try to keep your chest and arms still and vice versa: your movements will seem more controlled.
- Make sure there is plenty of space.
- Be patient. Remember that Shakira has been dancing this dance for more than ten years.
- Look at yourself in the mirror.
- Do not give up!
- You probably won't be able to dance exactly like Shakira. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Warnings
- Don't overdo it - you could seriously injure yourself.
- Make sure there are no things around you that can break.
