Waacking
Disco glamour, sharp arms, and the courage to be seen.
Born
1970s
Where
Underground gay disco clubs, Los Angeles, USA
Founded by
Pioneered by Tyrone "The Bone" Proctor, Billy Goodson and the first generation of LA club dancers
The History
Waacking was born in the underground gay disco clubs of Los Angeles in the 1970s. At a time when being openly gay could mean violence or arrest, Black, Latino and Asian dancers created a style that was unapologetically expressive — fast arms, sharp poses, drama and glamour, danced to disco.
It was first called "punking" — dancers reclaiming a word used against them — and the arm hit itself was called a "whack". Soul Train dancer Tyrone "The Bone" Proctor helped name it waacking and carried it to national television, and Billy Goodson carried it onto the Diana Ross tour.
Waacking nearly disappeared during the AIDS crisis, and has since been reborn worldwide. Its heart has not changed: musicality, posing, lines inspired by old Hollywood glamour, and the confidence to tell a story with your arms.
The MOBS Way
Focuses on pose, line, and expression. We teach how to use the arms as a tool for storytelling.
Its Elements
What You'll Learn
- → Arm Positioning
- → Lines & Poses
- → Musicality & Drama
- → Storytelling
Essentials
Anything that makes you feel confident and glamorous.
Improves upper body flexibility, posture, and self-esteem.