Make a smooth bouncing motion with your legs, pulling your hands inward as you bend your legs. Do not drop your elbows when you pull your hands inward. Keep your elbows up, sticking out on either side of you. You can also try moving your body from side to side as you do the bounce. Lean to one side as you bend your legs and pull in your hands. Then, lean to the other side.
Place your right leg back down and jump again. Land on the balls of your feet. Jump again and lift your right leg up to the side. Return to the center and repeat these motions on the other side. Jump once. Then, jump again and land on your right foot, lifting your left leg up to the side. Add the hand movements by lifting your arms up above your head. Hold your palms outward with your thumb out, forming an L-shape. Raise your arms up as you lift your foot upward in the bounce. Bring them down when your leg goes down in the bounce.
Pump your arms up and down by bending your elbows and bringing your arms down. Then, raise them back up. Keep your palms turned outward, facing away from you. Make sure you bend your legs as you bring your arms downward. Do shoulder shrugs on the right side, with your left heel up, four times. Then, repeat the same movements on the left side, with your right heel up, four times.
You can find recordings of the dhol online or at your local music store. Most Indian music soundtracks have the dhol as the central instrument, so you can also dance along to these recordings.
The more you watch Bhangra dance videos, the better you will be picking up the dance movements. Watching different Bhangra dance videos can also expose you to a variety of movements and styles.
For example, if you were raising your right leg up to your chest, you would raise your left arm. Then, you would snap the fingers on your left and right hands. In traditional Bhangra, there are different styles for men and women, known as masculine and feminine. To do a feminine Dhamal, keep your legs bent inward as you skip. To do the masculine Dhamal, turn your legs outward as you skip. You can try either style, regardless of your gender.
Repeat this on the left side, lifting your left leg and placing it down lightly for a tap. Jump on the extended left foot and lift your right foot upward. Return your left foot to the center. Add arm movements by raising the hand opposite of your extended foot above your head. So, if your right foot is extended for the tap, your left arm is raised. Touch your pointer finger and thumb together, keeping your palms facing outward. Raise your hand as you tap your foot. Then, bring it inward as you return your extended foot to the center.
Repeat the same movements on the opposite side. Jump on your left leg and kick your right leg to the side. Then, raise your arms above your head and open your fingers so your palms are exposed.
You may ask a friend to come with you to motivate you to go to the class. Bhangra dancing can be fun to learn with a friend.
Bhangra dancing is often done at Indian weddings. If you get invited to an Indian wedding, do try to attend so you can watch and learn from the Bhangra dancers at the event.
