The Shuffle Dance
Long before LMFAO’s 2011 Party Rock Anthem release, people been shufflin’!
That’s right, Shuffle dance has been around since the early 80’s.
LMFAO launched Shuffle dance onto the international stage again. Today, Shuffle superstars on social media are creating a new generation of dancers showcasing their skills on TikTok and Instagram.
Where Did Shuffle Dance Originate?
Like every Avenger’s movie you’ve ever seen, the origin story of dance is complex and often incomplete.
Know why?
Dance Evolves.
Dance doesn’t sit still and wait. You take your eye off it for a second. BAM! It’s different. No wonder pinpointing the origin of any dance is nearly impossible. Look away for a second and you’ll miss it.
Today, we’ll take a look at where Shuffle Dance came from, where it’s going and how to enjoy the energetic ride of Shuffle.
Melbourne Shuffle
Many people don’t know Melbourne, Australia is the birthplace of shuffle. An energetic burst of dance set to early Electronic Dance Music (EDM).
EDM was sweeping the world in the 1980’s. DJ’s and audio engineers created EDM using electronic interfaces and early computers. The result was high energy synthetic music with complex rhythms and beats. A perfect breeding ground for a high octane dance.
Introducing…The Shuffle
An energizing, spiritual expression style of dancing set to various forms of EDM like House, Trance, Techno, DubStep, Drum and Bass and whatever else these digital wizards of rhythm threw at the world.
Shuffle Dance consists of a few basic steps complimented by whatever variations the dancer would like to include. The Running Man, first introduced by Bobby Brown, and the T step, a sideways motion created with the ball and heel of one foot are two basic steps.
Hip Hop plays a major influence in Shuffling Dance. The Charleston step is also included. First made popular with Ragtime music from the 1920’s prohibition era.
Shuffle Dancers add spins, slides and upper body movements to create a full spectrum experience in sync with the music.
Some describe Shuffle Dance as inclusive, freedom, spiritual, liberating, free of judgment, true expression. Shuffle Dance connects you with the music you love in a special way. An opportunity to interpret and express as an individual while in the company of others.
Shuffle Dance Videos
Many people ask how to do the shuffle. Lucky for you, shuffle dance is all over TikTok and Instagram. Shuffle dance challenges, instruction videos and teachers taught a new generation how to do the shuffle dance. Dancers can now learn how to dance 100% online. Gen Z/Post Millenials (1995 – 2012) are some of the most popular Shuffle dancers online today.
How we came from early EDM Shuffle dancing in Australia to today’s online generation of dancing superstars could be an entire documentary. Nowadays we can find shuffle dancing in the palm of our hand.
TikTok is a great place to learn. Join challenges, special choreography and it’s great if you like to watch these amazing athletic dancers do their thing. Shuffle dance is such an energetic, colorful, positive expression of dance. This makes it great for anyone to enjoy. In fact, there are many health benefits to dancing Shuffle.
Health Benefits of Shuffle Dance
There are the obvious physical benefits of dance. You are moving around to music for extended periods of time so you are clearly going to burn calories. Surprisingly, the most important benefits of dance aren’t what you’d expect.
Whether you’re dancing by yourself or with a partner, dance is social. We gather to dance with each other, to express our gratitude and appreciation. Every energy contributing is different and that makes every dance unique. Bonding with like minded people and sharing the gift of dance together can lengthen your life, help your self-esteem, forget about problems, release stress, have fun, cut loose, smile, laugh and relax.
Shuffle dance may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Learning dance stimulates the brain and increases neuron activity. This stimulation opens new pathways to think and express. Coordinating the body with music and sharing your gift with others is truly a powerful experience.
Dance Injuries
Shuffle Dance requires a lot of moving, spinning and sliding. So to really move to the music you don’t want any friction between you and the ground, right?
Let’s try something.
Think about the last place you danced and what shoes you wore.
How many are in a studio wearing dance shoes?
If you’re a shuffle dancer, most likely you dance everywhere; parks, malls, living rooms, kitchens, patios, the beach, in the mountains, on the moon (that would be cool). But if you aren’t on the moon then you’re probably wearing tennis shoes which were created to play tennis and to stop you which is the opposite of dancing.
We want to go. We need a sneaker with traction AND the ability to spin. Because when your ankle is overstressed from rubber soles on normal surfaces you can sprain and possibly tear ligaments in your ankle or knee and not be able to dance.
Don’t shoot the messenger but yes, what brings you the most joy and without it life is meaningless could be over all because you wore the wrong shoes to Kimmy’s party.
Oh, the humanity!
Prevent Dance Injuries
Lucky for us, courageous souls exist who have dedicated their lives to prevent dance injuries with one revolutionary idea. Build a dance sneaker that is stylish, super comfortable and designed for dancing everywhere.
Simply put, create a dance shoe you can wear all day that looks great and when it’s time to dance…you’re ready.
You’re faster, quicker, more expressive, it’s all you.
A shoe you can wear all day and dance.
CTA: Check out the Fuego Dance Sneaker Here
“They are soooo comfortable!” – Me
Future of Shuffle
Shuffle dancing is here to stay. Shuffle keeps you young. Your shuffle is a reflection of your soul. It is the medium in which you shine your light to the world.
If you are a newbie, Shuffle dancing is all around you. Go to your socials like TikTok and Instagram, even Youtube. Search the Shuffle universe and you will find all the shuffle you need.
Happy Dancing!
P.S. Party Rock! = Dance Happy