Shamira's Tips - Perfecting the "Camel Walk"

Q: Could you please give me some tips on perfecting the "Camel Walk"? ......It nevers seems to flow with me....I always feel stiff and awkward......

A: First, study the "Basic Undulation" chapter on the "Pure Technique" DVD. Get very familiar with that "out-out-in-in" method.

Once you are comfortable with basic undulation, place your hands on the front of your thighs and your feet together. Start with out-out. On the second "out" let your left heel raise and bend your left knee. Next, do in-in . On the second "in," slide your left foot forward. As you go into the next first "out," lower your left heel. On the second "out," raise your right heel and bend your right knee. Do the in-in. On the second "in," slide your right foot forward and then lower your heel as you feel yourself going into the next "in." And on and on. SLOW! Think each step in your mind before executing it. Once you feel like you "got it," then you can let your hands and arms do anything else you want.

Variation:
Start as above. Instead of sliding your right foot forward, bring it next to your left foot and start the sequence again with your left foot, stepping forward with only your left foot every time. Of course, you could also reverse everything and step forward with only your right foot every time. This is more of a "camel walk."

By the way, while I acknowledge that the term "Camel Walk" is pervasive, I find it not only limiting, but burlesque-sounding, so I don't use it. Something that is such a flowing, elegant move deserves a better name. I prefer to simply call it "Walking Undulation." It may be not be fancy, but it still lends an air of mystery...and has no humps...

[Note: When practicing undulations, be sure to frequently counter-stretch your lower back by rounding down into a ball and hugging your ankles for a few seconds.]

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