The Worm: A Unique Dance Move Performed in a Prone Position

Dancing is a wonderful way to express yourself and get active. Over the decades, many iconic dance moves have emerged and captured the public’s imagination One such move is the worm, a funky contortion performed horizontally along the ground Let’s unravel the origins and technique of this quirky floor routine.

Grooving Face Down: The Basics of the Worm

True to its name, the worm dance involves writhing and twisting your body in a “prone position”, keeping contact with the floor. Dancers lie chest down, supporting themselves on their hands, feet, and sometimes knees. They contract their core to lift their torso slightly while flexing limbs to “crawl” forward. Hips sway side to side for extra funky flair.

It’s an athletic move requiring strength, flexibility, and coordination. While centered on hip swivels, the worm incorporates the whole body in a smooth wave-like motion When several dancers worm in succession, it resembles a human caterpillar gliding around.

Funky Origins in the 20th Century

The worm gained fame through funk and hip hop dance in the 1970s, fitting the freestyle floorwork vibe. Breakdancers incorporated it into their floor-based footwork and spins for a well-rounded routine. Michael Jackson was an early adopter, worming in his iconic “Billie Jean” routine during a 1983 TV performance.

Popularity surged in the 1980s as funk dancing peaked. Songs like “Bust a Move” and groups like The California Raisins featured the worm in music videos, spreading it through pop culture. The dance is still common in funk today, retaining its lighthearted energy.

Mastering the Flowing Movements

Learning the worm takes practice, but anyone can pick it up with patience. Follow these tips to get the technique down:

• Start on hands and knees. Curve your back up and down to limber up.

• Lower to your stomach, keeping hands planted beneath shoulders

• Initiate movement from the hips, rippling one side at a time. Let knees bend to propel forward.

• Try to minimize pauses between gyrations for seamless transitions.

• Move arms fluidly to match the hips, distributing weight as you flow.

• Once comfortable, incorporate stylistic variations like knee kicks or head bobs.

While tricky at first, the worm builds core strength and coordination. And its carefree, fun style encapsulates the spirit of funk dancing. Give this floor classic a try – just worm your way into it!