Journal

✨ Shimmy your way to more confidence, strength, and joy! Learn to belly dance step-by-step! 💃🎶 🎁 7-days of FREE belly dance classes for you! http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

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There’s something about Baladi style that speaks straight to my heart — the grounded movements, the soulful instrumentation, the deep connection to the music. It’s one of my absolute favorite styles to dance, and Armen Kusikian’s “Baladi in Crescendo” brought it all to life in the most powerful way.

This performance was a true joy to create and share — and it just might not be the last you see of it. 😉 I’m considering teaching this full choreography in a special intensive later this year!

🌟 Would you like to learn it with me? Let me know in the comments!

🎵 Music: Baladi in Crescendo by Armen Kusikian

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this performance inspired you.

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🌟 Meet Sahira:
Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

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DANCE WITH ME

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart
🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips
⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

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BELLY DANCE GEAR

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv
💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes
🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy
🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring
💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

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LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/
🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances
🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

✨ Find stronger, more confident shimmies TODAY! 💃🎶 🎁 Get your FREE masterclass at http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

Get ready to unleash one of the hottest belly dance moves—the Egyptian shimmy—with ease and confidence! 💃✨

In this short and sweet tutorial, you’ll:

✔️ Drill the iconic Egyptian shimmy

✔️ Play with transitioning smoothly between shimmies

✔️ Start layering your shimmies like a pro!

Whether you’re new to shimmies or want to polish your technique, this tutorial will help you move with more freedom, flow, and fun.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or clunky with your shimmies, or just want to refine and refresh your skills, this is the perfect playful drill session to get your hips moving and your energy flowing.

Ready to make your hips sizzle? Let’s dance!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering belly dance tutorials every week!

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – which shimmy is your fav? I’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

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TIME STAMPS

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0:00 : Introduction

0:23 : Warmup

2:10 : Both shimmies tempo drill

3:32 : Transitioning between shimmies

4:15 : Shimmy layers

4:54 : Traveling shimmies

5:30 : Choochoo shimmy

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

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Music by the fabulous Miss Thea – https://missthea.bandcamp.com/track/minor-hold-up

✨ Shimmy your way to more confidence, strength, and joy! Learn to belly dance step-by-step! 💃🎶 🎁 7-days of FREE belly dance classes for you! http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

Hey there fabulous dancer!

In this video you’ll learn a power movement that is perfect for several styles of belly dance – The Egyptian Basic. I’ll break it down for you step-by-step and drill the movement, add beautiful arm variation and then dance it to music!

Be sure to stay to the end for juicy pro tip to take this move from basic to beautiful!

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Belly dance isn’t just a workout—it’s a celebration of movement, expression, and feeling AMAZING in your own skin! Whether you’re here to boost your fitness, find your flow, or just have a blast dancing, you’re in the right place. Belly dance is for every BODY. 🎉

🔥 Why You’ll Love Belly Dance:

✔️ Fun & Low-Impact – Easy on the joints, gentle on your body! 🌸

✔️ Builds Strength & Flexibility – Your core, arms & legs will thank you! 💪

✔️ Improves Posture & Balance – Move with more confidence! ✨

✔️ Confidence Booster – Because YOU deserve to shine! 💖

✔️ For EveryBODY – No experience needed, all ages welcome! 🙌

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – what do you love most about belly dance? I’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

**********

TIME STAMPS

**********

0:00 : Introduction

0:20 : Footwork

0:27 : Hips

1:45 : Drill feet and hips

2:05 : Arm variation 1

4:01 : Arm variation 2

5:47 : Pro tip for maximum movement

7:20 : Drill with music

9:08 : What to work on next

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

********** The music featured in this video is by the fabulous Miss Thea. You can find her music online at https://missthea.bandcamp.com/track/bellygroove-one

✨ Shimmy your way to more confidence, strength, and joy! Learn an awesome belly dance combination step-by-step! 💃🎶 🎁 7-days of FREE belly dance classes for you! http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

Belly dance isn’t just a workout—it’s a celebration of movement, expression, and feeling AMAZING in your own skin! Whether you’re here to boost your fitness, find your flow, or just have a blast dancing, you’re in the right place. Belly dance is for every BODY. 🎉

🔥 Why You’ll Love Belly Dance:

✔️ Fun & Low-Impact – Easy on the joints, gentle on your body! 🌸

✔️ Builds Strength & Flexibility – Your core, arms & legs will thank you! 💪

✔️ Improves Posture & Balance – Move with more confidence! ✨

✔️ Confidence Booster – Because YOU deserve to shine! 💖

✔️ For EveryBODY – No experience needed, all ages welcome! 🙌

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – what do you love most about belly dance? I’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

**********

TIME STAMPS

**********

0:00 : Introduction

0:17 : Warmup

3:06 : Basic Isolations Review

4:01 : Arabic Explanation and Drill

6:04 : Triplet Shimmy Explanation

10:08 : Triplet Shimmy Drill

14:02 : Triplet Shimmy Tips

14:51 : Combination Part 1 Build

15:45 : Drop Release Texture Variation

19:52 : Full Combination Build

23:39 : Full Combination Dance with Music

25:10 : Cool Down

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

Find new confidence, creativity and authenticity in your playing with the 2025 Zill Challenge, an annual event that brings together hundreds of belly dancers for an unforgettable 10-day learning party.

TheZillChallenge.com

🤓 Gain a deeper understanding of finger cymbal technique, rhythm and timing

🚀 Discover new and exciting ways to play your zills

🌸 Banish confusion and skyrocket your zill creativity

…all while being part of an amazing international community of passionate dancers.

No prior music experience required!

After just 10 days you will dance a fabulous combination while playing some seriously cool new riffs on your finger cymbals. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with others, get personal support and WIN PRIZES!

Find your ultimate zill grove and learn to #RakYourZills.

Registration open now at TheZillChallenge.com

The party begins on May 23.

✨ Discover confidence and creativity through finger cymbals and learn a dance like this! 💃🎶 🎁 The 10-day Zill Challenge is open for registration: http://TheZillChallenge.com

Check out this amazing choreography, based on combinations from the 2024 Zill Challenge, a 10-day finger cymbal learning adventure that will give you confidence, creativity and a unstoppable momentum with your finger cymbals.

Join the 2025 challenge and learn a fabulous combination created to deepen your understanding and skyrocket your zill technique in just 10 days.

http://TheZillChallenge.com

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

🎶 🎁 Get your FREE ultimate guide to start playing finger cymbals! http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ZillStar Choosing the best set of finger cymbals when you’re first starting out is a daunting task! With so many cymbals and styles on the market, it can be confusing to know which set is the best to start your practice.

In this video I’ve gone through my gigantic zill collection to give to you my recommendations for the TWO BEST SETS of finger cymbals you should consider when you are first learning to play the zills.

I’m also going to share with you the biggest mistake belly dancers make when buying their first set of zills… so watch to the end to be sure you avoid this rookie error!

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TIME STAMPS

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0:00 : Introduction

0:50 : Why choosing the right pair is so important

1:14 : Recommendation #1

3:00 : Recommendation #2

4:06 : Silver versus brass

4:56 : Honorable mention 1

6:52 : Honorable mention 2

8:33 : Don’t make this rookie mistake

9:41 : A great budget option

10:23 : Quick review

Get your very own set of the best finger cymbals for beginner zillers:

🏆 Nefertitis : https://sahirabellydances.com/Saroyan-Nefertitis

🏆 Arabesques : https://sahirabellydances.com/Saroyan-Arabesques

🏅Check out other student zills from Saroyan : http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – which zills are you going to try first? I’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

Learn a complex and nuanced advanced combination to one of the top 10 songs every belly dancer should know – “Princess of Cairo”. In this video I’ll take you through the combination step by step, explain how I choreographed the movements to match the music and then practice the combination several times with music.

And then because it’s just too good to pass up, I’m sharing with you this video that captured that time my students and I decided to dance through the entire choreography while singing the music ourselves! 😂 Can you find the combination you just learned in this video?

********** DANCE WITH ME ********** 

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips 

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

********** BELLY DANCE GEAR ********** 

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

***** 

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission. 

********** 

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL 

********** 

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

Learn this surprising sword balancing trick that will bring a new level of expertise (and entertainment) to your dancing.

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – what kind of sandwich are YOU going to make with a sword on your head? 🥪 I’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

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TIME STAMPS

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0:00 : Introduction

0:22 : Welcome to my kitchen

0:31 : Materials needed

0:45 : How to balance your sword

1:11 : The importance of peripheral vision

2:31 : Layering belly dance movements

2:43 : Pro sandwich tip

3:31 : Other great uses for your sword

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances

Join me in this belly dance masterclass where I will walk you step-by-step through four different figure 8 textures that will level up your dance and allow you to more fully and authentically express yourself and the music.

💬 Drop a comment below and tell me – which variation felt most delicious in your body? ⬇️

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TIME STAMPS

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0:00 : Introduction

0:10 : Welcome

1:17 : Figure 8 Variation 1

1:50 : Figure 8 Variation 2

3:00 : Figure 8 Variation 3

5:50 : Figure 8 Variation 4

9:03 : Exercise Music Explanation

10:00: Practice with Music

12:40: Why Textures Matter

🌟 Meet Your Instructor:

Sahira is an international belly dance performer and instructor with over 25 years of experience helping women around the world embrace their confidence, creativity, and health through dance. She’s taught at festivals in over a dozen countries and has been featured in major media worldwide! Learn more at SahiraBellyDances.com

💃 Let’s dance! Hit play and start dancing now!

**********

DANCE WITH ME

**********

🎁 Snag your FREE 7-day beginner belly dance jumpstart course: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

🚀 Improve Your Shimmy: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/ShimmyTips

⭐️ Become a Zill Star: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillstar

**********

BELLY DANCE GEAR

**********

✨ Get a hip scarf and start dancing now: https://amzn.to/4jLNscv

💃🏻 Stunning and affordable belly dance costumes: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Costumes

🌺 My favorite practice tops and leggings: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/YogaDemocracy

🔥 Keep Calm and Zill On and Zillin Like a Villain Merch: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Spring

💖 The best finger cymbals on the planet: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

*****

Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I’ll receive a small commission.

**********

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL

**********

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances/

🔸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances

🔺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SahiraBellyDances