Warmup: Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons' Remix)

Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons' Remix)

I've been a big fan of the Freemasons remixing team ever since Ring The Alarm was used in BodyJam 41. They have found the perfect concoction of synths and beats to totally transform any song into a club-banger, and this is no exception.

The moment I heard this song, my head was filled with just one word - "Warmup!" Singalong moments and uplifting music combine to make a welcoming entry for any class.

I've already got the basic moves figured out: 4 step touch drags (dynamic hamstring stretch), 8ct arm wave, and a diagonal walk back combo.

Anyway, I read the sizzlers for Les Mills next releases and as expected this song has been picked up too. BodyStep 79 uses it for Step Warmup, and BodyJam 52 *might* possibly use it for the Bonus Pop Block. I say *might* coz the sizzler didn't mention it outright but just said "Whitney song". And I know Gandalf just can't resist a good Freemasons' remix!

Isolations: Midnight

1. Midnight - Pitbull feat. Casely

In an earlier plan I wanted to have a Dancehall Cardio track right after the warmup. And I actually found the perfect isolations track to lead into it - "Whine Up" by Kat DeLuna. Unfortunately I couldn't find the right dancehall reggae songs to make a nice block in time so I've shelved both Whine Up and the dancehall plan. I will write about those when the right time comes.

So I was just randomly jumping from song to song in iTunes to look for a new isolations track. And somehow I have this 2008 Pitbull track in my Library. I don't remember where I downloaded it because it wasn't attached to any album. But like I mentioned previously, the vibe matched exactly what I needed and now it's an iso track, cued up after Sexy Bitch by David Guetta feat. Akon.

Choreography:

• Intro/Chorus: Spring tap x2, travelling kick ball change to the side. Repeat other side.
• Verse 1: Triple shoulder lift with head nod
• Chorus
• Verse 2: Chest R, L, Front, 2 shoulder rolls
• Chorus
• Verse 3: Double hip R, L with heel twist. Hip isolations F, R, B, L slow, then fast.
• Chorus
• Outro: Hip circle R x4, L x4

Warmup: Sexy Bitch (Club Mix)

1. Sexy Bitch (Club Mix) - David Guetta feat. Akon

For the past 6 months or so I've already decided that this release will be a dance release, but finding the right warmup track was tougher than I expected!

When I first heard "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta & Kelly Rowland, it was love at first sight. I immediately slotted it in as the warmup, and even considered it's Electro Remix for the second half. But the more I listened to it, the more frustrating I got. It has such a rousing and beautiful melody, but I can't seem to put a move on it! None of the moves I tried out really does justice to it. So I had no choice but to shelve it for the moment and look for a new song.

Then, the new Black Eyed Peas single "I Gotta Feeling" flooded the radio waves. It took some time to grow on me, but I can certainly see how the lyric "I gotta feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good night" will fit into the theme of a great warmup track.

I did choreograph some simple steps for it eventually, but I felt the music buildup took a little too long. And then finally, I stumbled upon "Sexy Bitch" and everything kinda fit into place.

A hallmark of a great track is that the moves just speak out to me as I listen to it. It's hard to describe the process, but it's like I instinctively know how I should choreograph it when the different parts of the music comes together. And within 2 days I feel I've got a great groovylicious warmup track.

The structure is a little interesting for this track:

• Basic set up movements
• Flava movements
• Stretch sequence on Right
• Breakout choreo ("Damn, she's a sexy bitch!")
• Flava movements
• Stretch sequence on Left
• Breakout choreo
• Winding down moves - lead to isolations

Usually there's only one stretch sequence in a warmup track, but for this I split it up into two because the bridge of this song actually has a tempo drop. Again this is what I mean by "the choreography speaks to me".

I hope it's well-received! :)