From Core to Floor - 4 - Scoop Your Glutes to Sing the "Whoops”
Backup singers, including Judith HIll, right, have the ‘whoop’ fully embodied. The whole pelvic floor system plus ring muscle systems contribute to the swing and the sound. Source: cbs.com
From Core to Floor - 4 - Scoop Your Glutes to Sing the “Whoops"
Or – You Could Twerk If You Wanted - Putting the pelvic floor work to use
Based on an “Octaves” ATM as imagined and taught by David Kaetz, GCFT
A slight detour from our ‘regularly scheduled’ pelvic floor series to put the practice into practice. Add glutes to ring muscles and pelvic floor system to find a touch of backup singer magic: a bit of “whoop.”
The “whoop.” A swing that’s on, but slightly off, beat. The swing of the gospel choir, R&B or reggae backup singers. How do they look so cool and sound so good?
It may have something to do with the coordination of the pelvic floor (abs, low back) with the addition of the glutes, arms and ring muscles.
In some ways, we humans are still four-legged creatures. The pelvis and shoulder girdle are complimentary structures. Some humans lose the pelvis-shoulder connection. Bad, jerky dancing is one unsightly result. This lesson remedies that disfunction and swings us back into our natural groove.
This lesson, a variation of a whole body listening exercise taught by David Kaetz, adds rhythm to our movement vocabulary; in this case, the squeeze, squeeze of the glutes and hands in coordination with the breath. Tune into the power of a ‘whoop’ when the abs kick in, the low back releases, the upper back rounds, the lips “kiss” and activated glutes propel the sound forward.
The Soul Train Gospel All Stars do the ‘whoop.’ No ego here - between solos each singer carries the message. Notice the step, swing, sing.
Composite of backup singing diva Lisa Fisher demonstrating the full body “whoop”
Most of the lesson is on the back, knees bent, arms extended up towards the ceiling. Rest when you need to. And enjoy the rhythm of the soundtrack. Yes, we will be ‘whooping’ with Aretha Franklin. Who else?
We won’t be going there, but included is a ‘how to twerk’ video. This lesson, this series, gives you all the tools you need to get down and shake it. Arch that back, exhale and squeeze those glutes. Or not. Some things are best left alone.
Note: it is astoundingly difficult to find videos that focus on backup singers. “20 Feet From Stardom” indeed!
Set Up:
Lying supine on a mat
OR sitting on a firm-bottom chair with knees and thighs level.
The I-Threes, Reggae Queens together and each in her own right.
How you might feel after this lesson: Got your groove on, girl!; Pelvis and shoulders connected; Clearer sensation of pelvis rocking with the breath; tuned into your root chakra/pelvic floor; Open to the relationship between breath, pelvis, glutes and ring muscles; Aware of the subtle ring muscle coordination of the eyes, nostrils, lips, palms and soles of feet; Able to twerk, if you wanted.
If you have a Wednesday 9:30 am or 6:30 pm class registration, keep using it. If you were registered for the 12:00 pm Wednesday session, you’ll need to register. Registered, paid students receive the lesson recording link on Thursday. $40/month, $15/single lesson. PayPal: jackisue@aol.com Venmo: . Or check to Jacki Katzman, PO Box 116, Bethlehem, NH 03574
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