101 Shimmies Vol. 2 is finally here. Volume 1 of this 3 part series consists of a glossary of movements, shimmies and accents to be used in dynamic and innovative drum solos applicable to almost any type of music.

In this volume Samra takes the intermediate dancer through 14 combinations to 6 Basic Middle Eastern Rhythms , explaining posture, safe alignment, and detailed explanations of how to best execute the movements of each combination.Using the music of the legendary Uncle Mafufo, she introduces the dancer to the art of interpreting specific rhythms such as: Ayub, Malfoof, Felahi, Maksum, Saidi and Beledi.

With the assistance of Terry - she teaches several shimmy gems such as Tunisian, Algerian, Hagallah, Bedouin, Tunisian, Brazilian , and Flamenco emphasizing the importance of knowing when the roots of movements evolve from a cultural contexts, or are variations for artistic interpretation.

Join Samra in this series that takes you in a journey to understand the complexities of dancing to drums while understanding the rhythms and their cultural context. This series helps the dancer create their own Drum Solos with depth and insight.

Finally in 101 Shimmies Volume 3 she puts these concepts and moves together in a delightful and playful Drum Solo Choreography to a song by Uncle Mafufo.

*101 Shimmies Vol 1 by Samra*

Samra's clear instructions on head to toes technique prepare the body for intricate movements of shoulders, hips, torso, arms and hands in exquisite and innovative accents. She demonstrates various types of Shimmies with clear explanation on the origin of the movement and muscles used.

• HEAD - Slide, Crescen, Circle, Toss, Flip, Tilt
• SHOULDERS - Thrusts, Lifts, Drops, Rolls Slides, Up/Down, Shimmy
• RIBCAGE - Slide, Circle, Rock, Shimmy, Figure 8
• HANDS - Flicks, Shimmy, Close/Open, Extend/Contract, Palms Up/Down
• ABDOMEN - Pops, Staccato Undulation, Contraction, Rolls
• FEET - Point/Flex, Circle, Extend, Touch and Lift
• KNEES - Cross Plie, Circle, Lift, Push
• HIPS - 6 directions of articulation, 3 Original Sources of Shimmy, Shimmy of varying intensities, Walking Shimmy, Standing Shimmy, Freeze and Vibrations
• HIP ACCENTS AND PATTERNS - Arches, Letters, Designs, Single Hip Circles, Side Choo-Choo, Walking Hip Drops, Running Choo-Choos, Omis, Twisting Drop Walks
• THORAX - Pulse (fast shimmy), Afro-Brazilian Shimmy
• PELVIS AND BUTTOCKS - Turkish Shimmy, Hip V Walk, Buttocks contraction and release,
• LIFTS/DROPS/POPS/ LOCS of various body parts

I am delighted to share the content of this DVD with you. Please, recommend it to your friends and students. Look for VOLUME 2, which contains:

• Various samples of rhythms used in drum solos
• Intricate hip and body articulation created and complied by Samra
• Combinations to interpret each rhythm
• Full drum solo choreography

The Klutz 2 Diva Format introduces Oriental Belly Dance in gradual stages. It is for persons who have never experienced belly dance. The content is manageable, and the vocabulary is  presented at a pace that is fulfilling and rewarding.

Volume 1 DVD and Manual Introduce Oriental Belly Dance in its artistic and historical context . If follows the natural tendency of adults to learn to dance by moving from the feet upwards. The conditioning warm-up prepares the body for increased flexibility, stamina, and all over muscle toning and control.

The clear instructions for the arm positions, steps and turns are separated into distinctive chapters, so that the learner can repeat or skip each chapter as needed. The 10 combinations put these poses and steps together in even counts (4 or 8), which can be performed to any 4 beat music, fast or slow.

If the dancer has already studied Belly Dance or is currently taking classes, this video is a good refresher of the basics or a good practice between classes. It is also a valuable basic video for persons wishing to learn this art form but are unable to attend regular classes, or those who would like to become familiar with this dance form before enrolling in a group class.

We hope that you enjoy Klutz 2 Diva Volume 1 and continue your progress with us through future volumes.