Change up the wording and ideas to suit the style of dance that you are teaching, but the general idea is the same. These warm-up ideas are using imagery, creativity and student involvement.
Sit like a ‘tall ballerina’ – stretch up, ‘yukky ballerina’ – slouch, Hip Hop: sit tall (hammer hits for 4 or 8 counts) and slouch (hit the floor for 4 or 8 count)
Smell toes ‘pooey’, ‘peek-a-boo’ eyes look forwards then sit tall
Legs stretched out in front and cover them with chocolate syrup/fairy glue/ballerina glue so they don’t come apart, Hip Hop: glue, cement, chewing gum
Point toes ‘pretty feet/good ballerina toes’, flex feet ‘eew, yukky feet/bad ballerina toes’
Reach arms up, lean forward towards toes, ‘kiss your knees’ – kiss both knees and reach up again
Reach arms up lean forward tickle your toes/tinkling raindrops/falling snowflakes/twinkling fairy dust
Chant and touch: toes, knee, shoulders, head – start slow then speed it up
Rub hands together ‘warming up our hands’ clap/count: 4/4 clap, clap/floor/count 2/4, clap/legs/floor (slower) 3/4 timing
Straddle legs, arms out to the side: lean to one side, sit up ‘pop’ repeat other side
Straddle legs, lean over and grab outstretched leg ‘Give your leg a hug’ repeat other side
Elbows on the ground Lay on tummy – toes to head
Rock on tummy (forward and back) arms stretched out to the side/breast stroke arms, legs lifted off the ground ‘Swim like a mermaid/dolphin/shark/fish Hip Hop: rock like a boat, rocking chair, see saw Reach and grab each foot one at a time (quad stretch)
and so much more…… download the entire warm up list by clicking below.