Week 23.

This term we learn new dance styles. Tonight we were introduced to the Forro or as I prefer to call it "the horsey dance". It looks a lot like you are riding a horse when danced (did I mention that I am not very good at horse riding - I tried recently on a trip to NZ - my horse was in the movie Lord of the Rings).

Try standing on the spot and bouncing up and down like you are on a horse. You start with a squat to simulate the downward motion and the bounce up on your toes to simulate the upward motion. Repeat this for a while. Now place more weight into one leg - say the right - and continue bouncing. Image your left foot has slipped out of the stirrups. As you squat down on your right, your left foot leaves the floor slightly. On the up bounce the foot tries to find the stirrup but misses. Simulate this by lightly tapping the left foot as you bounce upwards - you should be leaning to the right.

Ok now take two steps to the left, holding the left hand in the air - as if you were pulling up on the left-hand reign to prevent yourself from falling off the horse (lets call him Sam). On completing two steps bring your feet together and then head off in the opposite direction (as if your right foot has slipped out of the stirrup).

And so it was I daydreamed about falling off horses throughout most of the class.

If you are doing this at home or in the office right now - stop it - you look very silly. It is OK in a large class, when everyone else is doing it and some music is playing - but it should not be attempted in private if there is the slightest possible chance of being caught.

Steve.