Risky Business
Some of you may remember the 1983 movie “Risky Business” in which Tom Cruise has a famous scene where he is dancing to Bob Seger’s classic “Old time Rock N Roll” in his good ol’ underwear and socks. If you haven't seen it, ladies, it’s worth a gander (wink wink). As I was thinking about an exercise to share, this scene came to mind. In the comfort of your own home, I don’t really care what you wear, or what you don’t wear, but what I would like for you to do is put on some socks for this particular exercise.
With your long socks, short socks, polkadot socks or what have you, head into a room in your house that has a wood or tile floor (avoid carpet). Walk around the room keeping all parts of your feet on the ground. Move around the floor as if you are cleaning the floor with your feet. Really dig your feet into the floor and become aware of all parts of your feet connecting to the floor. For fun, let your inner “risky business” character shine through and perhaps slide around a little being careful not to over do it unless there are pillows to catch your fall! Now, turn on some music, possibly with a slow rumba type of song and begin to walk around the floor with slow, quick, quick as your rhythm. Do this in all directions maintaining the sock covered feet on the ground. These movements don’t need to be patterns, simply keep the rhythm consistent.
As you practice this you are creating some muscle memory for the rhythm of the dance while at the same time practicing your footwork. For our latin dances like Rumba we know that our feet should for the most part massage the floor. You’ve heard your teachers use terms such as “sticky feet”, “keep the money under the feet”, “slide/glide your feet”, “pretend you are ice skating”, etc. By using socks to slip and slide around the room we learn to stay more connected to the ground. This same exercise can be done with other rhythms as well. Try doing this to Night Club Two Step, Bolero, Cha cha, Bachata, West Coast, and Salsa music. Remember, this exercise is to practice the rhythms of these dances along with keeping the feet on the ground as opposed to working with patterns so try not to get caught up in having to remember a step or a sequence. Just let the rhythm take over!
Disclaimer: I am not liable for any videos leaked from your particular risky business. I am however liable for any fun you have while doing it.