Shimmy school came about as a way to bring together dancers in the community of Sheffield. It has resulted in the formation of many great friendships from people who have found a love of belly dance and the deep culture and meaning behind the dance. By coming to classes you can just dip your toe into the waters of belly dance and use it as a fun way to get fit or (as is usually the case) get as involved in the belly dance community as you like and fall in love with the dance and everything that comes with it.
Eleanor Gaywood
When Eleanor graduated university in 2015, Shimmy School moved with her to Sheffield where classes grew and the number of sessions in the week exploded! Today Shimmy School teaches an average of 110 people per week from all walks of life! The School teaches many types of classes and workshops including;
- A fun introduction to belly dance for kids parties and Girl Guides
- Weekly fitness classes
- Weekly choreography classes
- Private classes for professional dancers
- 1:1 tuition for dancers entering competitions
- Sessions for people with anxiety disorders
- Specialised group classes for people who have suffered strokes, or have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
- Regular sessions for St Luke’s Hospice
There are teams of Shimmy School teachers reaching as far as Wolverhampton, Bristol and Somerset!
The motivation behind the production was Eleanor’s desire to raise the profile of belly dance, to develop the community of dancers here in Sheffield and to connect with different groups who would not otherwise have the chance to work together.