

There are two girls based in Atlanta, Georgia known as “The Twerk Team.” They’re famous for posting videos to Youtube of them gyrating and shaking their butts, almost to a point that it’s artistic. I had heard a lot about these girls and even caught Waka Flocka Flames’s first line in his “Round of Applause” song featuring Drake.

“Bounce that ass, shake that ass like the Twerk Team,” he said.

Not only were they referenced in the popular Atlanta rapper’s song, they were also featured in the video. I wanted to finally see who these girls were and what they were all about. I spent almost an hour on Youtube the other day watching these various videos.

Admiring their bodies, I thought to myself, “If these girls were holding classes I could probably easily get back in shape.”

Some of their dance routines also reminded me of some of the moves that I had previously learned in my Zumba class. Sure, “twerking” isn’t the most traditional form of dance or exercise, but I can almost guarantee you that it has its benefits. It can also be a very inexpensive way to stay fit. It doesn’t require any equipment and you don’t even have to leave your house. The most you would need is a really good playlist. I recommend whatever songs get you moving in the club.

Whether you’re at home in the mirror or out at a club, “twerking’” raises your heart rate and can possibly get you in shape. Dancer, dance-fitness pro, and the creator of Hip Brazil Dance and Fitness, Vanessa Isaac said that “twerking” is good for cardio and also muscle toning.

“For what I see this can be very good cardio, and the fact that you work your legs, hips, and waist can help in the toning of muscles in this area too,” she said.

Isaac stated that in addition to its fitness benefits, it can also be tons of fun. The few times that I’ve tried it in my mirror, I’ve walked away feeling sexy, confident, and full of laughter.

In the African American community butt shaking is usually frowned upon besides at family reunions, but many forget that it stems from African dance rooted in Sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional African dance occurs collectively and expresses the life of the community. The dance usually takes place in tribes or while worshiping gods. African dance utilizes polyrhythm concepts and promotes total body articulation. Body parts such as the shoulders, pelvis, chest, legs, and arms are used and moved with different rhythms in the music. Remnants of this are often shown in modern dances, even “twerking.”

Entertainment journalist, Starrene Rhett-Rocque, who has found a new love in pole dancing — another form of dance that is usually frowned upon — seems to favor “twerking.”

“Twerking is absolutely fascinating. Most people make it sexual when they see it, but it’s not just about that. The muscle control needed to perfect the art shouldn’t be taken lightly, so hats off to women who can do it. Plus, these women probably have a healthier body image than most women. The booty is a beautiful thing, even Beyoncè figured that out when she decided to pop in her “Dangerously in Love” video,” she said.

Rhett-Rocque believes that women, in general, like to “pop-it” in the mirror, whether they want to admit it or not. “There’s a sense of satisfaction we get with knowing how to jiggle and “pop-it” right so … if the classes could be women only, then we could actually use it as a form of exercising and having fun,” she said.

I couldn’t agree with her more.

Official Twerk Team: How Low from DTP TV on Vimeo.

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