How to Learn the Macarena Dance
"Macarena" is a song popularized by Spanish pop duo Los Del Rio. It was a minor hit in Spain in 1993, but became a smash in the United States in the summer of 1996. The accompanying video featured the song's famous dance steps, and the song has been remixed a number of times. The U.S. single was remixed by Miami-based production team the Bayside Boys, and the dance became the biggest dance craze of the '90s, according to Song Facts. The song is frequently played at weddings, parties and on cruise ships, and the dance is very easy to learn.
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Instructions
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1
Clear a space in your home so you can move freely. Once you learn the initial dance pattern, it is easy to learn the macarena. It's basically a repetition of the same dance moves and mainly involves the arms. Each beat involves a different move. For the first beat, extend the right arm straight out in front of you, palm down. Make the same move with the left arm for the second beat.
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2
Turn the right palm up for the third beat, then the left palm up for the fourth beat.
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3
Grasp the inside of the left arm at the elbow with your right hand for the song's fifth beat. Grasp the outside of the right arm at the elbow with the left hand on the sixth beat. Place the right hand behind behind your neck on the right side on the seventh beat and place your left hand on the back left side of your neck on the eight beat.
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4
Place your right hand on your left front hip on the song's ninth beat. Place your left hand on your right front hip on the 10th beat, then place your right hand on your right backside on the 11th beat. Place your left hand on your backside left on the 12th beat.
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5
Swing your hips to the left, then to the right on the 13th and 14th beats of the song. Swing your hips to the left again on the 15th beat and clap, then jump 90 degrees to the right on the16th beat. Begin the moves again from Step 1.
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Add music when you feel confident in your knowledge of the dance steps.
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Tips & Warnings
Hula dance versions (as in the Hawaiian dance) of the macarena are available, which involve more hula-style hip moves, although the rest of the dance remains the same.
