Shake What Your Mama Gave You!

The following day, my group and I attended a beginner's dance class for kids and adults seeking to learn traditional Cook Island dancing. Boy, was it difficult! It was amazing to see children as small as six years-old who were capable of shaking their hips as well as the older dancers (that's about the age that kids begin to learn these native dances)! They did it with such ease while I, along with the rest of my friends, frantically tried to keep up. Some of the little girls were so good that they actually taught segments of the class. I learned that the rapid hip movements are not made by shaking your hips wildly but by bending your legs forwards and backwards in a swift motion while simultaneously shaking your butt. The goal is to keep your entire upper body isolated. Of course, it is not nearly as easy as it appears (or sounds). I certainly have a newfound appreciation for those who master that type of dance.