Shimmy: The Complete First Season

This product arrived undamaged and quickly. My wife and I remember this show on Fit TV years ago and when we came across it on Amazon, we knew it would be a good purchase (to switch up from her yoga and pilates DVDs). First off, we are both physicians and admire the warmup exercises that are presented before each lesson. They utilize common postural stretches in a manner most can relate to. The only unfortunate aspect is that the stretches are not fully instructional. We wish they would tell the person not to over do the stretches, what the proper postural positioning is, and that you should only do a stretching feeling a mild pull/stretching sensation (other than that can cause physiological stress and/or damage). Remember, they are experts, and you are beginning. Do not expect to be as flexible as them, at least not right away. However, this is just two physician's point of view, and honestly, it is more informative than any other exercise video we have seen. My wife discovered, it makes you aware of muscles you never think of (lower body, core, and upper body) while teaching you "basics" in belly dancing (the shimmy aspects). The backdrops are beautiful, the lessons are clear and concise, and the music is placid. Admittedly, sometimes the camera view makes the first time of learning difficult via occasional lacks in visualization of the movements, but overall, its a great system. We recommend both season 1 and 2 to anyone who wants a great workout at home, while expanding your dancing horizons to placid music. We hope this review helps.

I'm really pleased to have found this series again after it was canceled from Fit TV. Each Season contains 12 episodes each. What I love about the Shimmy series is that it breaks down the basics of belly dance over a span of episodes, not just an hour DVD. I have purchased several belly dance workouts in the past, hoping to get some practice and lessons outside of the classes I took in person and was always disappointed... for serious learners, this is a must series. In season one, there is a lot of introduction to basic moves. Every move is broken down to the bare basics with baby steps, detailing which parts of your body should be moving at each moment (The narrator is very specific and makes such a big difference in this series). Each episode teaches about 3 to 4 main moves, and then at the end, you combine your moves into a beautiful dance using everything you just learned (the narrator leads you through each step of the final dance). It's really enjoyable and highly recommended.

I loved this series when it was on TV and was so glad when I found it. This is my all time favorite work out, it's fun, easy and low impact. Comes with 2 DVD's, each with 7 sessions. Each session is about 25 minutes and includes a warm up exercise with relaxing yoga-type stretching. The dance sessions are fun and relatively easy, the narrator has a lovely relaxing voice and the background music is also very soothing. This work out is great for me because I can also do it with my kids, they like the dancing!

Enjoy it as an alternative work out during the winter months!! Well done, many episodes to choose from!

Arrived timely. Workouts short but beautiful to watch. Stretches are very challenging. Fun videos to add to a more strenuous workout.

The DVDs arrived on time however one of the disk was not attached to the inside it was loose and it became scratched up.

I was stunned when I first came across this program on TV. It is so beautifully done! Wonderful location shots, Great dancers. And enough exercise instruction to give you a good basis in belly-dancing while making you feel as exotic as the cinimatography looks. It's a win/win exercise program all wrapped up into one convinient DVD. If you're sick of yoga and pilates and gym workouts, try Shimmy for your New Year's weight loss program. If nothing else, you'll enjoy watching it while you sit on the couch.

The DVDs are just like how the show was when it was on tv. I was young then and enjoyed learning the new steps in my living room when the show came on, but now I can have the same enjoyment anytime! Shimmy is a powerful muscle toning DVD which doesn't allow you to think of how boring working out can be or how much bellydancing can hurt because it's that enjoyable. You will feel a difference after your first workout if you're really giving it your all. Highly recommended to beginning bellydancers and workout enthusiasts looking for a new jive.