Gyaru Guides: Para Para

やっほー～！ Welcome to another Gyaru blog~

It's time for the 2nd blog in my Para Para trilogy! Are you excited? I know I am!!

Today, I really wanted to share a few tips and tricks when it comes to learning Para Para, and share a few of my favorite routines! 

If you're just starting out, Para Para can feel really intense and probably even a bit overwhelming... I know when I learned my first routine, I had to watch certain parts upwards of 10 times just to get the dance moves to even register in my brain! A two-minute routine ended up taking me an entire evening to learn, and I was beyond beat afterwards... Thankfully, I've gotten way more comfortable dancing Para Para, and I think I might have some helpful information for all the beginner Paralists out there~

The first thing that really helped me learn the routines was watching them mirrored, or flipped around. I'm insanely right-sided dominant (seriously, it makes driving a total pain), so watching Para Para videos mirrored just makes more sense to my brain! There's one channel I love that posts exclusively mirrored routines, and I recommend checking them out if you have the same hang-up as me!

Another thing that helped was getting used to the almost constant side-to-side motion that routines feature. Para Para routines often don't feature a lot of insanely complicated footwork compared to other dance styles. Still, you will almost always see dancers doing a simple two-step: Right foot in, then left foot in, alternating over and over. Like I said, this is not particularly challenging, but it can be easy to get mixed up since you're likely going to be hyper-focused on doing the hand/arm movements correctly! So, I recommend getting really comfortable doing that specific motion; do it on its own for a while, and mimic any variation you see when it comes to footwork. Basically, work from the ground up! Work up that muscle memory in your legs and feet, add the arms, and pretty soon, your feet will practically run on autopilot!

One tip I'd like to mention is to keep in mind that some of these routines are hard! Human nature is to want instant gratification, and if you aren't immediately good at something, you'll be tempted to just give up... Don't do it!! Of course, if learning routines becomes genuinely unenjoyable and a source of annoyance more than expression, there's no shame in moving on; however, give it some time if you can! As they always say, practice makes perfect! Some songs also have a few different routines, so if one routine is giving you a hard time, you might be able to find an alternate one!

I'd also like to point out that routines don't necessarily have to be Eurobeat or techno! I mentioned this in my history of Para Para blog from last Monday, but some gals have started doing American line dances as Para Para! There will likely be some people who dislike this idea, but I honestly think it's really fun and can make Para Para more approachable~ So, if you're already really good at something like the Cupid Shuffle or the Wobble... Congrats! You know a Para Para routine! 

(As a quick note, because I can foresee a few comments, I'm not interested in debating what constitutes "real" Para Para. If you don't consider the dances I mentioned and similar dances Para Para, you're perfectly entitled to that opinion... However, I don't see the harm in it, and I won't be arguing about it.)

Another tip that really makes a neuron in my brain activate is to treat Para Para like Just Dance! Treating routines like a game makes something in my monkey brain go wild, and I like to use them as a form of exercise as well. Of course, you don't have to do the same since I know exercise carries a different connotation for people, but that's what I do personally! I still do Para Para "Just Dance" purely for entertainment as well~

So, when it comes to specific routines, you might be wondering: What are some easy, beginner-friendly options? I'll admit, I struggled a little bit with this... Since I've been doing Para Para for a while, I was worried my judgment might have been clouded, and what I perceive as easy might not be for some people... But I think I've found a good middle ground! I've compiled a short list of routines, and I think they'll be a great starting point! So, in no particular order...

#1 - My Sweet Banana by Go Go Girls

#2 - Night of Fire by Niko

#3 - One Night in Arabia by Go Go Girls

#4 - Caramelldansen by Supergott

#5 - Angeleek～真実のギャルサー～ by Angeleek feat. きょん

#6 - Velfarre 2000 by Bazooka Girl

#7 - Ike Ike by Tri-Star

#8 - I will fly by CAT

#9 - Macarena by Los Del Río

#10 - Bad Boy by Cascade

A lot of these routines are certified classics for a reason, so I think any beginners will have a lot of fun learning them~

Aaaand that's all I have for you today! I really love that I have a clear roadmap for the next few blogs; it makes me feel way more on top of writing than I have in a while! I hope everyone is happy with what I've been putting out as well~ Just like always, feel free to comment whatever you like! Suggestions, questions, concerns, and more are always welcome~ Thank you so much for reading, it always makes me so happy~!

Remember, Antama loves you~!

Kiss kiss~☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu