Michael Jackson debuted the hypnotic move (The ‘Moonwalk’) in 1983 with his own unique style.
Legend says other street performers created the move and Michael reinvented it in front of the world. With the right choreographed set of moves, anyone can do the moonwalk so find an open space and get ready to cheat physics.
All you have to do is have patience with yourself in the beginning and you'll have it down in no time!
The walk itself is based upon performing and creating an illusion of walking forward while going backwards.
It's a miming technique that illustrates a force which is pushing or pulling the performer to go the other way. When done right it can astonish crowds.
You can moon walk with any type of foot wear, even with boots but if you’re just starting out, the less friction, the better. Use non grip footwear on a smooth wooden surface or dance floor and stay away from rough or uneven surfaces.
The L-Position. Lift your right leg with the toes of your right foot facing the floor, with only your toes on the floor, around a foot behind your left foot.
Find your balance with a wider stance if necessary, watch videos to learn the footing.
Push back with your right toes while sliding your left back “into�? the floor.
As you slide back lift your left heel off the floor and put your right heel down onto the floor. Now you’re in the L position but with your feet switched.
Repeat the previous two steps and switch feet every time.
Lean your head forward as you slide to add the effect of smoothness or as if some other force were pushing you backwards. As you slide back lean your head forward, and when you switch feet, snap it back to regular position to create the illusion as if it’s being left behind.
The tips of you feet should never come off the ground.
Leave your hands in your pocket, or swing in alternations as if you were walking.
Practice the individual moves and start smoothing them together to create one smooth looking motion. Be sure to make it believable and ‘sell’ the move, the audience doesn’t know right from wrong so just sell the move and if you slip up continue and make it part of the routine.
Once you get the classic movements down, you can moonwalk on the spot and then do the moonwalk while it looks like you’re moving forward.
Use mirrors, one in front and one on the side to see how you appear.
Practice the move on someone that can be honest with you before you perform it.
Hold onto stable surface and then practice it hands free when you can.
The ‘Back Slide’ was the original name of the move but the media mistakenly reported it as the ‘MoonWalk’ and it the name stuck.
The “pull walk�? and “pressure walk�? are originally two miming techniques that if you master first, it will make the move (the moonwalk) much easier to achieve.
If done right, this move will surprise and inspire others to dance, they’ll look at you in awe. Remember, to keep something fresh and golden, don’t wear the move out, keep it under your sleeve to bust out during those peak and exclusive moments.