Shakira, a well-known artist from Colombia, is known for her ability to dance belly dance (belly dance) in music videos and on stage performances. Shakira combines traditional belly dance with her own creations so that the dance looks more beautiful and interesting. In order to dance like Shakira, first master the basic movements of belly dancing. Then, learn how to swing Shakira's hips so you can imitate her dancing style. Wear belly dancer clothes and move your body to the accompaniment of Shakira's song to make the dance more stunning.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Basics of Belly Dance
Step 1. Stand up straight while relaxing your arms at your sides
Make sure both sides of your hips are the same height and spread your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees slightly while straightening your body. Currently, you are doing the initial posture for belly dancing.
Get in the habit of pulling in your lower abdominal muscles and activating your core muscles. This step is useful for strengthening the abdominal area so that the movement is more fluid
Step 2. Perform a "hip lift" or "shimmy" motion
Bend both knees and straighten the right leg. This posture makes the right hip position higher than the left hip because the right hip bone is pushed up towards the ribs. When doing this posture, make sure your heels are still touching the floor and your upper body is not moving at all. This is a hip lift posture to the right.
Lower your right hip to its original position then do the same movement to lift your left hip. Straighten your left leg so that your left hip is higher than your right hip. This is a hip lift posture to the left
Step 3. Repeat the movement of lifting the hips to both sides more quickly
Don't stop when you want to move to the other side so that your hips swing up and down to either side in a smooth, flowing motion.
If moved at high speed, the hips will appear to vibrate very rapidly to both sides. Right now, you're doing a "shimmy" move
Step 4. Learn the "hip drop" movement
Place your right foot on the floor and then transfer your weight to your right foot. Step your left foot 10-15 cm forward then press the ball of your left foot to the floor while on tiptoe. Bend your knees with your body straight and then stretch your arms out to the sides. Then, straighten your left leg so that your left hip lifts up. Lower the left hip again so that it is the same height as the right hip. Make sure your right leg remains bent while doing this movement. This is called the "hip drop" movement.
Repeat this movement faster. If you practice regularly, your hip movements will be more fluid without pause or discontinuity
Step 5. Perform a "belly roll" motion
Stand with both feet on the floor and extend your upper body while relaxing your arms at your sides. Bend both knees. Only contract your upper abdominal muscles by pulling your stomach toward your spine. Then, only contract your lower abdomen by pulling in your lower abdominal muscles. Inflate the upper abdomen followed by the lower abdomen. This is called the "belly roll" movement.
Repeat this movement in the order above. Try to contract and expand your abdominal muscles in a flowing motion so that there are no pauses or stuttering
Step 6. Perform the "chest lift" movement (lifting the chest)
Begin the exercise by performing the initial belly dance posture while puffing out your chest and relaxing your arms at your sides. Bring your knees together and place your feet on the floor. Puff out the chest by raising the ribs as high as possible. While doing this movement, bring your shoulder blades together and relax your shoulders. Then, lower your rib cage again while relaxing your chest. This is the so-called "chest lift" movement.
Perform this movement more quickly by lifting the ribs and lowering them again. Contract your upper abdominal muscles while doing the chest lift and then relax again as your chest returns to its original position
Part 2 of 3: Mastering Shakira's Moves
Step 1. Watch Shakira dance videos online
Watch how Shakira moves in her hit videos "Whenever, Wherever", "Hips Don't Lie", "She Wolf" and "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)". Watch the video a few times so you can observe the movements in detail.
Step 2. Do some of the moves in the "Whenever, Wherever" video
When the chorus is sung, Shakira performs a hip lift, hip drop, and chest lift. He also swings his arms in various directions with graceful movements. Start dancing by doing hip lifts in the following order: right, left, right, left. Then, lift both arms and do a chest lift while facing to the right followed by a hip drop.
You can vary your leg and arm movements, such as crossing your right leg behind your left while raising your arms above your head. Then, cross your left leg behind your right leg while swinging your arms out to the side
Step 3. Learn belly dancing in the order of movements in the "Hips Don't Lie" video
When the chorus is sung, Shakira performs a series of very fast hip lifts and hip drops. To be able to do this movement, start practicing by doing a quick hip lift and then turning while stretching your arms to the side or up. Then, do a chest lift and finish with a quick hip drop with your body to the side.
You can also do hip lifts and hip drops in slow motion as Shakira did in the "Hips Don't Lie" video. Do a hip lift to the right then do a hip lift to the left slowly while still activating the core muscles so that the movement can be slowed according to the rhythm of the music
Step 4. Perform the moves in the "She Wolf" video
In this video, Shakira performs a series of chest lifts to the rhythm of the music. Place your hands on your waist and do a chest lift by lifting your chest to the right. Hold this position for 1 tap then lower again.
Do chest lifts to the right and forward a few times while moving along
Part 3 of 3: Dance as Beautiful as Shakira
Step 1. Put on Shakira's outfit
Sometimes, Shakira wears traditional belly dance outfits, such as a sleeveless blouse and miniskirt or shorts with a waistband. Other times, she wears modern clothing, such as a bikini top or a short sleeveless blouse with hipster jeans. Don't hesitate to expose your belly while dancing by wearing low-waisted jeans and a short blouse so that you look very much like Shakira because this is the hallmark of her appearance.
To look more like Shakira, grow your hair long and let it flow. Shakira is famous as a blonde-haired artist
Step 2. Dance in front of the mirror to Shakira's song
Play Shakira's favorite song, such as "Whenever, Wherever" or "She Wolf" and move to the rhythm of the music or join the dance in the video. Dance in the mirror so you can see yourself when you dance.
You can dance in front of an audience, for example when hanging out with friends while playing a Shakira song
Step 3. Take a belly dance course
To become more proficient in belly dancing, take a class at the nearest dance studio. Choose a class that focuses on teaching Shakira belly dancing techniques. Invite friends to take a course so that you are more excited and can have fun together.
