About

SHIMMER School of Bellydance was born out of a desire to teach and perform this exciting and beautiful dance with generosity, authenticity and respect - to dance from the heart.

About Bellydance: 

Bellydance, or raqs sharqi  (Arabic - lit. dance of the east, or oriental dance, as it is known throughout the Middle East), is an ancient and beautiful dance - an art that celebrates the power and beauty of the female body. It has had a long and often controversial, but always fascinating, history. The people of the Middle East have always danced to celebrate life - at weddings, births, anniversaries and festivals. Over the centuries it has been influenced by many other cultures to evolve into the various forms that we see today. Whether folkloric or classical, cabaret or fusion, traditional or techno-modern, it is always exciting, always a celebration! 

Known for its grace and sensuality, bellydance is also a wonderful way for women to stay fit and healthy whilst having fun and learning something new.

There are so many good reasons to try bellydance, whether it be for the health benefits and improved posture it brings, or for the insight into another culture, or for the wellbeing of the heart and soul and self-image. Bellydance is a very safe form of exercise, and can be learnt by women of all ages (from 4 to 84!). The body becomes more toned, supple, elegant and strong, and the woman becomes more body-aware, confident and beautiful.

About SHIMMER

SHIMMER School of Bellydance is based in Hobart, Tasmania, and has become a haven for bellydancers and lovers of bellydance. Shimmer provides professional bellydance tuition to all levels - from absolute beginner to advanced levels. (see 'About the Class Levels' below...) Students receive individual attention, and the atmosphere of classes is warm, supportive, friendly and fun.

About the Class Levels

In each level, technique and authenticity is always really important. But fun is vital! The idea is to create a natural and joyful progression from one level to the next - to empower and inspire the student to try hard in class, practice at home and bring back the goodies in their smiles and hips and heart in the following weeks, months and years... It's all about bringing out the bellydancer in you, about you developing your very own groove, but with all the correct information and technique so you can dance with confidence. There are currently 4 levels of classes with Shimmer: 
Beginners Level 1, 
Beginners Level 2, 
Intermediate Level, 
Advanced Level. 

Beginners Level 1: This level  is for absolute beginners, and covers an introduction to bellydance, culture, musicality and costuming, and teaches the vital basic moves and steps that are the foundation of bellydance - eg circles, figure of 8's, slides, bumps, drops, shimmies... have we tempted you yet? It also introduces the student to simple combinations of steps. Completing 2 terms of this level is good preparation for the next, giving the student confidence, a sense of achievement, and a new way to appreciate their body!

Beginners Level 2: This level takes the student beyond the basic moves and steps to introduce variations on the basics, and slightly more complex combinations, with the aim of learning a simple choreography, and adding more expression to their dance as well as further understanding of rhythms and music. Often a dance-prop such as a veil, stick (assaya) or finger cymbals (sagat or zills) may be introduced. Again, completing at least 2 terms of this level is recommended, and often has the student well and truly bitten....

Intermediate Level: As skills increase, the wonderful diversity and complexity of this dance-form reveals itself. In the Intermediate level the student learns more about the many different styles of bellydance, further expands on previous moves and is able to 'layer' their moves eg with shimmies, takes on more complex choreographies, and can recognise several specific rhythms. The student  is confident in expression and is perhaps ready to begin creating a little choreography of their own... By now the student may be smitten...

Advanced Level: This is where the student learns even more intricate combinations and moves, and takes on complex choreographies. By now the student will have a rich knowledge  and appreciation of bellydance - the culture, musicality, costumes and movement... She will love what she is doing, will have a well-toned body, oodles of confidence, and a far greater awareness of her inner beauty....  Ah the joy of being a bellydancer....