Ballroom dancing points and positions

Just some general notes

Some basic ballroom dancing points and positions

In traditional ballroom dancing, the male dancer is the lead and the female dancer follows. In all these dance positions, the lead directs the follow with body language and initiates the motion. The follow should never try to lead, nor anticipate the lead's next move.
These moves are all written in terms of the actions the lead initiates.

Dancing in a Closed Dance Position
The lead's left hand should have straight fingers pointing to the left with thumb up. The right hand rests on the follow's shoulder blade.
The follow's right hand should hook onto the lead's left hand. The left hand rests on the lead's shoulder.
The lead's right arm and the follow's left arm should touch at the elbows. There should be a small amount of pressure between the couple's arms so the lead can signal to the follow.

The Promenade Position
The leader should link the left thumb around the follow's right hand. Both dancers’ palms should face out.
The lead's right hand should rest on the follow's shoulder blade, exerting direction/ pressure with the heel of the palm . The follow's left hand rests on the follow's shoulder.
Both partner's hips should face out.

The Open Dance Position
This is a more relaxed position where the lead's hands are at waist height. The thumbs should be up and the fingers should face inwards. Take care not to wrap the thumbs around the follow's hands. The follow should hook both hands over the lead's hands.

The Apart Position
Dancers are not touching each other with their hands, and there is no point of contact between their bodies

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
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We're married! Thanks for ALL of the dancing help (and pre-marital counseling) at times ;-) As the dip attests (How about those arm stylings!) the first dance went GREAT, thanks to you! All of our family and friends were duly impressed! Thanks for everything! -Maureen and Tom Peter Jones www.BallroomWeddingDance.com And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

How do you do the Waltz?

                      Waltz is a dance in 3/4 time. 

If that doesn't mean anything to you, it doesn't matter, because anyone can do a Box Step! 

Beat/ Step Timing	Lead	Follow
1	The leader steps Forward on left foot.	Follower steps Backwards on right foot.
2	The leader steps to the side with right foot.	Side with left foot.
3	Close the left foot to the right.	Close right foot to left.
4	The leader steps back on the  right foot.	Forward on left foot.
5	Side with right foot.	Side with left foot.
6	Then closes the right foot to left.	Close left foot to right.

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
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Ballroom Dancing can kill you!!!.... NOT.

Ballroom Dancing has become huge in the US and the world in recent years. Tangos, waltzes, swing and foxtrots on (the still going strong) Dancing with the Stars, there was the amazing "So You Think You Can Dance,"and numerous others... In addition to being fun and social, Ballroom dancing also significantly improves both the mind and the body.

So, you wanna dance?

You're probably not going to train full time for months with a top professional dance partner, but you can still get a good workout. And keep in mind, anyone who can walk can dance.... so:Is ballroom dancing exercise?

Of course it depends on the type of dancing and your skill level, but once you get your heart rate up, you're certainly going to get a great cardio workout, whatever you do. Dance builds bones, and is wonderful for your upper body and strength. If you have a health problem, be careful about throwing yourself into a really fast dance style, but even if you aren't in perfect shape, be willing to go for it! Just start slow and make sure you are comfortable.

Dance is a "moderate activity" say the USDA's physical activity guidelines. The guidelines say adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily so it doesn't take much, and it is always so much easier to stick to a weight loss or health program with fun activities. Take, for instance, maybe ballroom or Latin style dance.

You might feel muscles you don't know you have! Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently than many other types of exercise.How can ballroom dancing help the brain?

Increased blood flow to the brain results from any physical exercise and there's less stress, depression, and loneliness from dancing's social activity part. There are mental challenges (memorizing steps, working with your partner) making it a complex activity -- it's not just physical. 

So, how should I get started dancing?

* Look for a good teacher who emphasizes what you can do, is positive and works at your pace.
* Don't think you have to be perfect. Professionals aren't; why should you be?
* Dance is for everyone, so it doesn't matter if you sometimes worry about your size.
* Get into the music, as well as the movement.

Gaining any new skill brings confidence. So have some fun, and get confident!

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Brooke & Michael

Brooke & Michael working with Peter Jones on their Texas 2-Step for their First Dance. They soak up an amazing amount in their first lesson... and its the day after he proposes! How romantic is that!!! 


Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Asmena and Fahim started dance lessons for their wedding only a week before the day. Their song is "Misty Blue," a Viennese Waltz. In this first hour, we started out with a simple hesitation step, added a separation break, plus a turn! Everything is easy once you know how! (and a little practice.) We'll see how things go in their next lessons, but I am certain we'll be able to put together a great, simple dance in only a few lessons.
(Update: They are off to their wedding in India. and in their last lesson, they looked great! Elegant, fluid, relaxed and happy! Hopefully they'll be able to send a video!)

Peter Jones

www.BallroomWeddingDance.com

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Music tells you how to dance!

It's your song which determines what type of dance you do!
For instance, salsa, foxtrot, swing, bachat,... are all specific dance styles that're appropriate for specific songs. The word Waltz is often used as a generic term, for a wedding dance, e.g. Wedding Waltz, but it is actually a specific type of music in 3/4 time (Moon River, Journey's "Open Arms" or Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" are waltzes.)


Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter