Twerking 101: Ultimate Guide How to Shake Your Booty Like a Pro

Twerking is a dance move that involves shaking the hips and buttocks in a fast and rhythmic way. It is often done in a low squatting or bending position, with the hands on the knees or the floor. Twerking can be seen as a form of self-expression, empowerment, fitness, or entertainment.

The origin of twerking is not clear, but some sources trace it back to the traditional dances of West Africa, such as the mapouka from Ivory Coast or the sabar from Senegal. Twerking was also influenced by the bounce music scene of New Orleans in the 1990s, where local artists like DJ Jubilee and Big Freedia popularized songs that encouraged listeners to “twerk something”. Twerking gained more mainstream attention in the 2000s and 2010s, thanks to the viral videos of dancers like Lexy Panterra and Mizz Twerksum, and the performances of celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Miley Cyrus.

Twerking can be done for various purposes, its not only for how to shake your butt, such as having fun, showing off skills, attracting attention, or expressing sexuality. Some people twerk as a hobby, while others do it professionally or competitively. There are different styles and techniques of twerking, such as the basic twerk, the wall twerk, the handstand twerk, the split twerk, and the floor twerk. Twerking can also be combined with other dance moves, such as the dougie, the nae nae, or the whip.

Twerking can have positive effects on the physical and mental health of those who practice it. It can improve the cardiovascular system, strengthen the core muscles, enhance the flexibility and balance, burn calories, and release endorphins. It can also boost the confidence, self-esteem, and mood of those who enjoy it. However, twerking can also have some risks and challenges, such as injuries, criticism, stigma, or harassment. Therefore, it is important to twerk safely, respectfully, and responsibly.

Twerking is a cultural phenomenon that has been around for decades and has evolved over time. It is a form of art that showcases the creativity, diversity, and beauty of human movement. It is a way of celebrating the body and its capabilities. It is a dance that anyone can learn and enjoy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tribal Brown (@tribalyoungbrown)

Some common misconceptions about twerking are:

• Twerking is a new dance that was invented by Miley Cyrus. This is false, as twerking has a long history that traces back to West Africa and New Orleans. Miley Cyrus only popularized it in the mainstream media with her performance at the 2013 MTV VMA Music Awards.

• Twerking is only done by women. This is also false, as twerking can be done by anyone regardless of their gender. There are many male twerkers who showcase their skills on social media and in competitions.

• Twerking is easy and does not require any skill or technique. This is another false assumption, as twerking involves a lot of coordination, strength, and flexibility. Twerking can be challenging for beginners and requires practice and training to master different styles and moves.

Some health benefits of twerking are:

• It can improve the cardiovascular system, strengthen the core muscles, enhance the flexibility and balance, burn calories, and release endorphins.
• It can boost the confidence, self-esteem, and mood of those who enjoy it.
• It can improve the circulation and toning of the perineal area.
• It can work and shape the butt, thighs, and back muscles

Some common twerking injuries are:

• Spondylolysis, which is a stress fracture of the spine that is common in young athletes, especially those who repeatedly bend backwards during activity, such as gymnasts. This can cause lower back pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms.
• Tendinitis, which is the inflammation of a tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendinitis can affect any joint, but it is more common in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. Tendinitis can cause pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
• Torn meniscus, which is a tear in the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. A torn meniscus can result from a sudden twist or rotation of the knee, especially when putting full weight on it. A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling, locking, and instability of the knee.

To prevent these injuries, it is important to warm up properly before twerking, stretch the muscles and joints involved, wear supportive shoes and clothing, and avoid overexertion or fatigue. If you experience any of these injuries, you should stop twerking immediately and seek medical attention. You may need to rest, ice, compress, and elevate (R-I-C-E) the injured area, take anti-inflammatory medications, or undergo physical therapy or surgery.

Some tips for beginners who want to learn how to twerk are:

• Start with the basic twerk moves, such as the squat and how to shake your booty, the wall twerk, and the hands on the ground twerk. You can watch some video tutorials on YouTube to see how they are done and practice along.
• Find a twerk move that you like and feel comfortable with, and stick with it until you master it. You can choose from different styles and techniques, such as the Miley twerk, the shuffle twerk, the up down twerk, and the booty pop. You can also mix and match different moves to create your own unique style.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow you to move freely and show off your curves. You can also wear leggings, shorts, or skirts that accentuate your booty and make it bounce more. Avoid wearing jeans or tight pants that restrict your movement or make you sweat too much.
• Warm up before you start twerking, and stretch your muscles and joints after you finish. This will help you prevent injuries, soreness, and stiffness. abby berner twerking can be a great workout for your lower body, but it can also cause some common injuries, such as spondylolysis, tendinitis, or torn meniscus, if you are not careful.
• Have fun and be confident while you ass twerk. Its deeper then how to twerk 101, Twerking is a form of self-expression, empowerment, fitness, or entertainment. It does not matter what your booty size or shape is, as long as you enjoy yourself and rock your moves. Don’t let anyone judge you or make you feel bad about your twerking skills. Its many different ways to twerk.You can twerk alone, with friends, or in front of an audience. Just remember to be safe, respectful, and responsible.

Some twerk competitions are:

• The International Twerk Champions, which is an annual event that showcases the best twerkers from around the world. The competition is judged by professional twerkers and dancers, and the winners receive cash prizes and trophies. The 2020 edition was held in Madrid, Spain, and featured a judge showcase by Tinze, a famous Finnish twerker. You can watch her performance here.
• The Spring Break Twerk Contest, which is a popular party activity among college students who visit South Padre Island, Texas, during their spring break. The contest involves twerking on stage in front of a large crowd and a host who encourages them to shake their booties. The contestants are usually rewarded with drinks, money, or applause. You can see a video of the contest here.
• The 60+ Twerking Contest, which is a viral TikTok moment that features senior citizens twerking on stage at a retirement community in Florida. The contest was organized by Brittany Cosmo, a TikTok user who works as an activity director at the facility. The contest was meant to be a fun and uplifting event for the residents, who showed off their moves and energy. The videos have received millions of views and positive comments on social media. You can read more about the contest here

Some Twerk Songs

Some twerk songs are songs that have a fast and rhythmic beat, catchy lyrics, and encourage listeners to shake their hips and buttocks in a dance move called twerking. Twerking can be seen as a form of self-expression, empowerment, fitness, or entertainment. There are many twerk songs from different genres, artists, and eras. Here are some examples of twerk songs:

• Wobble by V.I.C. This song is a hip-hop classic that was released in 2008. It has a simple chorus that instructs listeners to “wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble”. The song is often played at parties and weddings, and is popular for line dancing.
• In Da Club by Tribal Young Brown. This is a strip club based song that was released in 2023. It has a simple chorus that instructs listeners to ”spend there money on a bad bitch sister and take them shopping to let them know that they love them.” The song itself was made for twerking.
• Booty by Blac Youngsta. This song is a rap banger that was released in 2017. It has a catchy hook that repeats the word “booty” over and over again. The song is about the rapper’s admiration for women’s booties and his desire to touch them. 
• Strippin The Walk by Kstylis. This song is a twerk anthem that was released in 2015. It has a fast and energetic beat that makes listeners want to strip and twerk. The song is about the rapper’s appreciation for strippers and twerkers who show off their skills and make money.
• Tribe Queen by Tribal young Brown. This song was released in 2023. It has a very fast paced beat made for twerking on a very high level, some of the best twerkers in the world would love this amazing song and beat.
• Twerking in the Rain by Todrick Hall. This song is a musical parody that was released in 2014. It is a spoof of the classic song Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly. The song replaces the word “singing” with “twerking” and adds some humorous lyrics about twerking in different scenarios. 
• บั้นท้าย (Twerk) by Wonderframe. This song is a Thai pop hit that was released in 2022. It has a catchy melody and chorus that say “I’m not weak, because delicious things don’t need to be said”. The song is about the singer’s confidence and attitude when she twerks.

Some twerk moves are:

• The squat and shake twerk. This is the most common and basic twerk move, where you get into a squat position and pop your booty outward, shaking it back and forth. You can keep your hands on your hips, or lift them in front of you or at your sides. You can also lean forward or keep your chest upright, depending on how provocative you want to be
• The wall twerk. This is a more advanced and daring twerk move, where you place your hands on a wall and lift your legs up, so that your feet are parallel to the wall. You then twerk your booty in the air, making it bounce up and down. You can also move your legs apart and together, or kick them out to the sides
• The hands on the ground twerk. This is another challenging and impressive twerk move, where you place your hands on the ground and lift your legs up, so that you are in a handstand position. You then twerk your booty while balancing on your hands, making it jiggle and wiggle. You can also bend your knees or straighten them, or twist your hips from side to side
• The Miley twerk. This is a popular and controversial twerk move, named after the singer Miley Cyrus, who performed it at the 2013 MTV VMA Music Awards. This move involves sticking your tongue out and making a face while you twerk your booty from right to left, as if you are riding a bicycle. You can also add some hand gestures or props, such as a foam finger or a teddy bear
• The shuffle twerk. This is a fun and energetic twerk move, where you combine the basic twerk with the shuffle dance. The shuffle dance is a dance style that involves moving your feet quickly and rhythmically, creating different patterns and shapes. To do the shuffle twerk, you need to alternate between twerking your booty and shuffling your feet, following the beat of the music. You can also add some arm movements or spins to spice it up.

Some twerk challenges are:

• The Twerk For Me Dance Challenge, which is a viral TikTok trend that involves dancing to the song Twerk For Me by Kamillion. The challenge requires participants to twerk their booty from side to side, as if they are riding a bicycle, while making a face and sticking their tongue out. The challenge was popularized by Miley Cyrus, who performed it at the 2013 MTV VMA Music Awards. You can watch some examples of this challenge here.
• The Boom Boom Twerk Challenge, which is another TikTok craze that involves twerking to the song Boom Boom by Vengaboys. The challenge requires participants to twerk their booty up and down, while making a loud boom sound with their mouth. The challenge is meant to be funny and playful, and often features props or costumes. You can watch some examples of this challenge here.
• The Twerking in the Rain Challenge, which is a musical parody that involves twerking to the song Twerking in the Rain by Todrick Hall. The challenge requires participants to twerk in different scenarios that involve rain, such as under an umbrella, in a puddle, or on a car. The challenge is a spoof of the classic song Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly. You can watch some examples of this challenge here.

If you want to make your own twerk challenge, you can follow these steps:

• Choose a song that has a fast and rhythmic beat, catchy lyrics, and encourages listeners to shake their hips and buttocks in a dance move called twerking. You can use any genre, artist, or era that you like, or you can create your own song using a music app or software.
• Think of a name for your challenge that is catchy, creative, and related to the song or the twerking theme. You can use wordplay, rhyme, alliteration, or acronyms to make your name stand out. For example, some existing twerk challenges are called the Twerk For Me Dance Challenge, the Boom Boom Twerk Challenge, and the Twerking in the Rain Challenge.
• Create a signature twerk move or a sequence of twerk moves that match the song and the challenge name. You can use any of the existing twerk moves, such as the squat and shake twerk, the wall twerk, the hands on the ground twerk, the Miley twerk, or the shuffle twerk. You can also invent your own twerk move or mix and match different moves to create your own unique style.
• Record a video of yourself performing your challenge. You can use any device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a camera, to capture your video. You can also use any location, such as your bedroom, your backyard, your school, or your workplace, to film your video. You can also add some props or costumes to make your video more fun and interesting.
• Upload your video to a social media platform, such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook, where you can share it with your friends and followers. You can also use hashtags, captions, or tags to describe your challenge and invite others to join in. For example, you can use #twerkchallenge, #twerkforyourlife, or #twerkwithme to promote your challenge.
• Watch other people’s videos of your challenge and see how they interpret and perform it. You can also comment, like, share, or follow their videos to show your appreciation and support. You can also join other people’s challenges and try their twerk moves and songs. You can also challenge other people to do your challenge and see how they respond.

Some twerking fails are:

• The worst twerk fail ever, where a girl catches fire while twerking upside down against a door. The video was later revealed to be a prank by Jimmy Kimmel, who hired a stuntwoman to act as the girl. You can watch the unedited full version of the video here.
• The TwerkBreaker incident, where a gamer tries to twerk while playing a Friday Night Funkin’ mod called Breaker Bundle. The mod features a character called TwerkBreaker, who is a fusion of Sonic.exe and Miley Cyrus. The gamer fails to twerk properly and ends up falling off his chair. You can watch the video of the incident here.
• The drunk housewife twerk fail, where a woman tries to twerk for the first time in an epic dance challenge. The woman is clearly intoxicated and has no idea how to shake ass. She ends up falling on the floor and hitting her head on a table asking herself how to shake my ass. You can watch the video of the fail here.
• The wall twerk fail, where a woman tries to twerk on a wall but ends up breaking it. The woman places her hands on the wall and lifts her legs up, but the wall cannot support her weight and collapses. The woman falls down with the wall and lands on her back. You can watch the video of the fail here.
• The dog twerk fail, where a woman tries to twerk with her dog but ends up getting bitten by it. The woman bends over and shakes her booty in front of her dog, but the dog does not appreciate it and snaps at her. The woman screams and runs away from the dog. You can watch the video of the fail here.

Some twerk memes are humorous images, videos, or texts that poke fun at the dance move of twerking or the people who do it. Twerking is a dance move that involves shaking the hips and buttocks in a fast and rhythmic way. Twerking can be seen as a form of self-expression, empowerment, fitness, or entertainment, but it can also be ridiculed, criticized, or mocked by others.

Some examples of twerking memes are:

• The Miley Cyrus twerk meme, which is a series of images that show the singer Miley Cyrus twerking at the 2013 MTV VMA Music Awards. The images are often edited to show Miley twerking in different scenarios, such as on a wrecking ball, on a horse, or on a pizza. The meme is meant to mock Miley’s controversial performance and her attempt to shed her innocent image. You can see some examples of this meme here.
• The twerk fail meme, which is a series of videos that show people failing or hurting themselves while trying to twerk. The videos are often accompanied by captions that express sympathy, sarcasm, or amusement. The meme is meant to highlight the dangers and difficulties of twerking and the embarrassment and pain that can result from it. You can see some examples of this meme here .
• The twerk team meme, which is a series of texts that show people inviting or rejecting others to join their twerk team. A twerk team is a group of people who twerk together for fun or competition. The texts are often written in a slang or humorous way, using phrases like “twerk for your life”, “twerk with me”, or “twerk off”. The meme is meant to parody the popularity and enthusiasm of twerking and the social dynamics that can arise from it. You can see some examples of this meme here .

One fun fact about dancing is that the leotard, a tight-fitting garment worn by dancers, is named after its inventor, Jules Léotard, a French acrobat who performed the first flying trapeze act in 1859. He wore his outfit to show off his muscles. Another fun fact is that the world’s first “sustainable” dance floor opened at Club Watt in Rotterdam in 2008. The floor’s tiles each sit on springs hooked up to generators. The harder people dance, the more the springs are compressed and this converts into energy, which runs the LED lights in the floor