Haylushka Dance Steps

The 1-2 or Toe-Heel Step

The 1-2 or Toe-Heel Step is one of the simplest and yet one of the most generally used of all Indian dance steps.  A beginner can learn the step positions in a few minutes, but it will require considerable practice to develop the proper rhythm and enough coordination of the steps to dance with other dancers.

The best way to teach this step is to line up a group of six to twelve beginners and have them do the step positions in unison without moving from the spot on which they are standing.

The loud and soft beat of the drum beat must be clearly heard by all of the dancers, because each of the steps is timed to these beats.

There are two dance positions.  The first is made on the loud No. 1 beat of the drum.  On this beat step up with the left foot and touch the ground lightly with the toe.  The second position is made on the soft No. 2 beat of the drum by coming down hard on the heel.  Alternate by doing these two positions, first on the left foot, then on the right.  The drummer should start and stop over and over until the entire group can start and stop in unison.  When everyone has caught on the the step, the dancers can start to dance slowly forward in a circle.  Then try some of the other variations of this step such as dancing backwards or from side to side.

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The Drag Step or Stee-You

The Drag Step is very effective when not much ground is to be covered.  It is a good step for showing off when doing a solo dance.  The drumming time is the same as for the toe-heel step but the action of the feet is different.  In the toe-heel step the first step is made at the loud beat of the drum, but in the drag step the first step is made on the soft beat of the drum.

At the soft 1 beat, step forward so that the toe touches the ground and then drag the foot backwards and bring the heel down hard at the 2 or 3 loud beat of the drum.  Both the touch and drag action should be light as this step can wear out your moccasins very quickly.

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The Canoe Step

The Canoe Step is the most graceful of all Indian dance steps.  The foot work is very simple and the body and arm motion add to its interest.  This dance is supposed to represent the motions gone through while paddling a canoe.  The dancer moves his arms in long swinging strokes - first on one side of the body and then on the other.  In doing this dance, imagine yourself holding a canoe paddle and you will have the right position for your arms.

This step is based on the 1-2-3-4 drum beat, and the drummer must time the beat to the dancer a little more than usual.

Sometimes a short quick jump is made on the loud beat of the drum with both feet together as shown with a dotted moccasin print in the diagram.  This extra step adds a little variety to this dance.

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The Stomp Step

The Stomp Step is much more emphatic than the toe-heel dance step.  The dancer's body is held upright and the hands are kept close to the body at hip height.  The dance is timed to the 1-2-3 drum beat and has three dance positions.  On the 1 beat, the knee is lifted high and the foot brought down hard to the ground in a stomping motion.  On the 2-3 light beat the dancer comes down lightly in two hops on the toes.  Most of the action is done with the hands and arms.  The drum rhythm must be evenly spaced to a 1-2-3, and not 1 - 2-3 beat.