Sway: It begins with shifting weight from one leg to the other. Keep the legs loose by bending at the knee. Shoulders back while letting hips shift naturally. Gaze at a fixed object to keep the head level so it seems to float above the body. Dramatize a sway with a quarter turn on the balls of toes. After mastering the swaying motion, accentuate with turns occasionally.
Backwards heel spin added flare and inertia, step back and spin on the heel. It is optional to step forward and spin on toes. Work with natural movement, not against it. Avoid injury by remaining on either toes or heels during any turn or spin. It is a rapid movement. Most music is written in a standard four-four tempo; therefore, switch to and from in an even pace (one beat per second) to a half tempo (also called double-time). Feet remaining solidly on the ground may result in a twisted ankle or knee. Pause to add flare with a back-bend.
Flare is added by kicking toes up. Move in one direction by stepping half as far in one direction. Shift towards or away from a person with half turns followed by a heel swivel back and then continue a swaying motion. This works well with flowing hands out like a witch casting a spell.
Another from of sway involves leaning back and forth as opposed to side to side. When switching from toe to toe lean back while pushing up, instead of, forward which can be awkward unless properly coordinated. In the video, I am pointing my leading foot toward a quarter turn left and following it around when switching from toe to toe.
Arm movement: Goth arm movements are fluid. The main movement involves bringing the arm down. Hands are poised like holding a cup. Bring hands up, about half, to make a small circle so the palm is down and then bring the hand up. Keep tempo with the hand while swaying.
To cross hands over each other, remember to switch the outer hand; left over right and then right over left. Fingers are pointed gracefully as though they cut through the air. This is altered into many movements, including, a cha-cha. Roll the hands around each other and bring one arm out with an elbow hovering above the back of the other hand. A popular addition is to snap fingers. Do not actually make a snapping noise in conjunction with arm movements.
Holding one arm out in front of the chest is a great way to accent a movement. It creates a placement for other movements like whipping one arm around or beginning a figure eight. Similar to the movements of a cowboy throwing a lasso, the elbow hovers above the back of the other hand held across the chest.
An eight figure with one arm is also combined with a crossover. Drop the arm down bringing it back into a circle. Turn the hand over at about waist level bringing the arm up creating a circle across the chest then drop the arm with palm up again. This creates two circles like a figure eight. Similar to the first arm movement the palm of the hand is up when down and down when up. Wrists are limp allowing the hand to follow the arm; however, keeping the hand ridged creates accent points for faster, pounding beats. Finish off the figure eight by snapping it over an arm held across the chest. Bring it back continuing the figure eight.
Prance: The Goth Box Step is a basic move anyone can learn to increases their Gothiness quickly. Imagine four points of a square or rectangle on the ground. Step up diagonally with the left foot, cross over the right foot, step back with the left foot placing it in first position, followed by stepping back with the right foot and then begin with the right foot to create the reverse effect.
Keep knees slightly bent to make the cross easier. Let heels drop naturally with each step. Remain on the toes allows the body to rise and fall with each step. This causes a rhythmical bounce of the whole body, moving from one cross to another and back.
Bows and courtesies accentuate the dance. Commonly, when a person brings their hands together in front of their chest they will roll the hands once followed by bringing the arm back to bow or courtesy. Point one foot out in a catlike way and bring the other leg back while front leg is straight to bow and courtesy. This looks better with one hand on the chest or both arms out. To courtesy lower center of gravity with legs crossed as seen in the video. Add drama with by shimming shoulders.
In relation to footwear, a flexible sole with limited traction is preferred; however, most dance floors are smooth with and even surface. Be mindful of friction to avoid twisting an ankle. In the video, I am wearing socks, because additional friction from the carpet causes feet to lock into place preventing the natural flow of the dance. If feeling tension on the knees or ankles complete lift feet off the ground to relieve tension on the joints. Attempting this dance in high heels is complicated. Movement is inhibited in relation to backward heel spins and allowing the body to rise and fall.
Practicing to Goth music helps. The dance is orientated to Goth music. It doesn't take long to coordinate swaying from foot to foot with the tempo of arm movements. A graceful movement, if used correctly causes an exciting supernatural ambiance. Beginning with the feet, controlled motion takes practice. Modified to any tempo there is enough variety to be graceful without monotony. In addition, it prepares a person for increasingly difficult Goth Dances. Goth Dance has a unique style of expression which is surprisingly versatile.
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