Things You'll Need:
- Bagpipe music
- Traditional costume
- Dancing shoes
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Step 1
Stretch and warm up your muscles before you begin. Pay special attention to your shoulders and calf muscles as you will exercise these most. Spend several moments to flex your toes and stretch your feet before you put on dancing shoes. Put on some traditional bagpipe music with a lively beat.
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Step 2
Stand upright with your feet facing out and your hands on your hips. Raise yourself up on to your tip toes so your stance is like that of a ballerina. Bend one leg inward so your toes meet the inside of your knee on the opposite leg and your leg makes a triangle shape.
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Step 3
Hop in this position on the remaining foot to keep in time with the music. Point your toe downwards when you jump to show poise. After 4 counts, stretch out your bent leg and pull it in again to the beat of the music.
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Step 4
Raise your arms above your head and meet your hands in the middle at the same time as the step. Put one hand on your hip again when you stretch your leg out and keep the other arm in the air. Practice the same sequence on the opposite leg and then combine the moves, one side then the other, to the music.
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Step 5
Wear a traditional costume of a kilt and tartan hose with a velvet jacket for women or sporran for men. You can opt for the standard costume or customize the plaid yourself to show a particular family name or region.
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Step 6
Join a local dance class or seek professional instruction (see Resources). The only way to learn a variety of dances and get accurate advice and criticism to improve is by professional instruction. Start in a beginner class and work your way up.
