Shop Dances

Another Bulgarian style with lots of different dances in it. Shop style is probably the most difficult Bulgarian style for non-Bulgarians to master. Mostly that's because of the speed of the dances and the amount of energy necessary to dance so many steps in a short space of time. Dances are usually performed in short lines, with belt hold or crossed hand hold. Separate hand movements are not common in Shop dances. If hands are not joined they are placed on the hips with palms flat, backs facing out. The body is held upright but with weight slightly forward so it is over the balls of the feet. This allows the performance of fast small steps often referred to as "knitting with the feet". Knee lifts are abrupt and high, and are often coupled with bending the body forward. Men's and women's styles are similar. As the dancer moves the whole body, especially the shoulders, should vibrate with a type of shaking movement called "natrisanne" which gives the impression that the dancer is hardly touching the floor with his feet. Cries and shouts are also common.