How did you learn?

I first saw shuffle vids on Insta and thought it looked really cool. Once I’d decided I wanted to learn, I started a 30 day challenge, using primarily Emylee Ratzlaff’s YouTube videos to practise for at least 1hr a day. I would typically watch & follow along on one of her vids (~10-15mins), then spend another 45mins practising what I’d just learned.

Once I was sure I wanted to get really good, I subscribed to The Shuffle Vault (like Netflix but for shuffle moves, combos and choreos). I found this super helpful - particularly because as a beginner, I didn’t know the names of any moves, so having a resource that taught me them individually was invaluable. You can check out The Shuffle Vault here (If you follow that link, you can get access to the tutorials I teach there and support me too at no extra cost to you 💙)

Over Christmas holidays 2021, I subscribed to Vanesa Seco’s shuffle channel. I LOVE her classes; her musicality is second to none, her classes are incredibly detailed and well-explained (2hrs +) and I learned SO much from doing them. However, it’s hard to find time to fit them in during my regular working week, so I’m not currently learning there.

The learning mode I use the most now is screen recording bits of other shufflers' flow that I like, then use an app called Video Speed to slow the clips down to 50% so I can learn it myself.

How long will it take me to get good?

It’s not about time, it’s about repetition. To get good at shuffle, you need to build up your muscle memory so your body can perform the moves without your brain needing to get involved; this is a matter of doing it over and over again. You don’t need to be in a formal training session to do this; practise whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, whilst watching TV - wherever!

For me, I committed to a 30 day challenge, where I practised formally for 1hr a day for the first 30 days (+ kettle / TV reps wherever I could). That helped me build up a solid base.

I then continued to practise at least 4x/week for the next 6 months - in this time, I began to see my flow develop.

If you want to get good quickly, I recommend banking as much practise time early in your journey as you can; this will give you a strong foundation to build your flow later.

What music can I shuffle to?

Shuffle is usually done to electronic music (house & techno being the main genres). As you’re practising, try out different subgenres to see which your body flows best to. I recommend beginners start with slower BPM tracks (80-100BPM) and build up to 120-150BPM as you get comfortable. Here’s the link to my slow shuffles beginner playlist.

What are your tips for better freestyles?

First thing to say: being really comfortable with your core shuffle steps (RM, T-step, Charleston etc) is crucial to developing your freestyle, or ‘flow’. If you’re early in your shuffle journey, I recommend allocating a good chunk of each practise session to honing your core steps, as this creates the solid foundation you need to get creative with your flow.

Beyond that, here are five tips that really helped me:

1. Work on transitions. You can learn as many moves as you like, but if you’re not comfortable getting in and out of them, you won’t incorporate them in your flow. Pick two moves - one new one, one that you’re comfortable with - and really drill getting into and out of the new move until it’s second nature
2. Listen to different genres of electronic music. Get a feel for how you move to different grooves. You might find your body moves a lot more naturally to (e.g.) trance than tech house, in which case you might want to focus there as you build up your flow
3. Don’t try to cram in too many new moves at once; you’ll get stressed and loose your flow. Focus on nailing a few counts of RM, then try a new move/combo, then return to a few counts of RM to ‘recentre’ yourself before the next tricky move
4. Dance in the build up to the drop. Even if it’s just waving your arms about, feeling out the groove with your whole body will make you feel much more relaxed and in sync with the music as you start to shuffle
5. If you mess up, don’t stop! Just chill and jump back on the beat when you’re ready. (But equally, remember which move/transition tripped you up so you can focus on it next)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Are you a full time shuffler?

No - I work full time as the Head of Operations and Special Projects for a private membership organisation.

I started shuffle just as a hobby, but as my passion and skill for it has grown, I now spend all my hours outside my ‘normal’ job investing in this talent and helping others do the same.

Where are you from?

My mum is Hong Kong Chinese Scottish and my dad is Cypriot Irish. I was born in Scotland and brought up in the UK, but my family lives in Dubai.

Do you do any other types of dance / fitness?

Being active is a huge part of my life and I’ve dabbled in lots of fitness stuff; I rowed at Cambridge, used to powerlift, and now enjoy all kinds of HIIT and running as well as shuffle.

I don’t really do any other types of dance at the moment - but I love the look of hip hop and would love to try that out.