1. Chubby Checkers Started the Dance Craze
To do the twist, you have to have the right music or song and that would be "The Twist" by Chubby Checkers. This was "the dance" of the sixties. Be careful which version you purchase or download, as the original recording was by Hank Ballard, late in the fifties. His version was not the breakout hit that Chubby Checkers recorded.
2. Come On Baby, Let's Do
The twist was the dance craze of the sixties because it was easy, simple to learn and just about everyone could do it. It's basically done by just twisting the body back and forth as you lean slightly forward and then slightly back. Put a little turn in it as you twist around and twist around. Lift one knee to really get into the twist. To start the dance, some describe it as imagining that you're putting out a cigarette with the ball of your foot while you are twisting your rear around, working it side to side like you're drying off with a towel.
3. Twisting Changed the Style of Couples Dancing
Doing "the twist" changed the style of couples dancing to a new form where the dancing couple didn't touch while dancing. This was a "twist" on the more traditional style of couples dancing from that era. The twist paved the road for more "non-touching couples" type dances with the mashed potato, the monkey, the swim and the pony.
4. Twisting is Good For the Waistline
Do the twist to have fun dancing, but also to reduce the waist size. The twisting action in the dance has the participant rotating their body's middle section from side to side. This is a wonderful way to work out as the twist movement works the spinal column, the back and the core muscles or the abdominals. The repetitive twisting also helps exercise the body's nervous system and its internal organs. This twisting action or dancing helps you relieve stiffness in the back, shoulders and neck. It also helps build the back muscles and spine, making routine movements like standing, walking and sitting easier on the body. So you could say that doing the twist is good for the waistline.
