Across the Floor

Walking: Begin by walking forward (rolling heel to toe). Then walk backwards (rolling toe to heel), gradually transferring weight to the back foot. The arms move in opposition (whichever leg is back, the arm on the same side goes forward, and whichever leg is forward, that arm goes back). In walking backwards, keep head, chest, and shoulders above the pelvis (lead with the legs, not the pelvis).

Knee Tap: Raise one knee up and tap it with the opposite hand. Repeat on the other side, and continue alternating as you walk across the floor.

Waltzing: Teach the easy 3-beat count (1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3…) using slow ¾ time (waltz) music. Take a big step, little step, little step to one side, and then to the other side with arms swinging to the same side as stepping. Continue waltzing across the floor with a forward movement.

Grapevine Holding A Partner’s Hands (facing each other): Step the leading foot to the side, cross the other leg to step in front; step the leading foot to the side again, and cross the other leg to step in back, and continue. Repeat, traveling in the other direction. (Note: when using your right leg to step to the side it will always be your left leg that crosses in front and back. When stepping to the side with the left leg, it’s the right leg that will cross in front and back.)

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* Most of these movements are in The Rosen Method of Movement, 1991, Marion Rosen & Sue Brenner.