Basic ballroom turns

A couple of basic ballroom turns

Ladies' Underarm Turn
This move begins in the closed dance position. The lead raises the left hand to signal to the follow.
Their arms create a window which the lead guides the follow through with the right hand. The follow turns to the right clockwise until returning to the closed dance position.

Gentlemen's Turn
Often begun in an open, or one hand hold position.
The lead brings the left hand down to his stomach and begins to turn counterclockwise. The lead let's go of the follows right hand. The follow lets go with the right hand, but maintains contact with the lead's body as the lead turns around.
The lead picks up the follow's right hand with the right hand once the turn has been completed.

Peter Jones
www.perfectweddingdance,com - Wedding Ballroom Dance Lessons
Ballroom and Wedding Dance Lessons

Ballroom dancing points and positions

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 should rest on the follow's shoulder blade.
The follow's right hand should hook onto the lead's left hand. The left hand should rest 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 lead 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.perfectweddingdance,com - Wedding Ballroom Dance Lessons
www.peterjones.8m.com

Ballroom for Health

Ballroom Dancing is literally exploding in the US and the world at large these days. Tangos, waltzes, swing and foxtrots are gliding across America's TV sets on the hit ballroom dance show, Dancing with the Stars, the current "So You Think You Can Dance," and in movies, including "Mad Hot Ballroom." Do you tap along or mimic steps during the commercials? For once, no one will criticize you for watching TV. Ballroom dancing significantly improves both mind and body.

So, ya wanna dance?

You're probably not going to train full time for months with a top dance partner as they did on Dancing With the Stars, but you will still get a good workout. An remember, anyone who can walk can dance.

Is ballroom dancing exercise?

The TV shows' contestants are often winded after their routines. John O'Hurley, says he's lost 15 pounds since he signed on for the show. 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 is a weight-bearing activity, which builds bones. It's also wonderful for your upper body and strength. While you should definitely consult your doctors first, especially if you have any health problems, before you really throw yourself into a really fast dance style, even if you aren't in the best of shape, go for it! Just start slow and make sure you are comfortable.

Dance is a "moderate activity" say the USDA's physical activity guidelines. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily, according to the guidelines released earlier this year. It is always easier to stick to a weight loss or health program with fun activities, where everyone counts ballroom dance.

New ballroom dancers may feel muscles they didn't know they had. That often happens with a new activity. Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently from many other types of exercise.

But how might ballroom dancing help the brain?

Increased blood flow to the brain results from the physical exercise and there's less stress, depression, and loneliness from dancing's social aspect. There are mental challenges (memorizing steps, working with your partner) making it a complex activity. It's not just physical. You've got togetherness, and are training the brain to do a new motor skill. While no one knows how much or what kind of exercise the brain needs, there's certainly no evidence that ballroom dancing is going to hurt anything!

So, how should I get started?

* Look for a good teacher who emphasizes what you can do, not your limits.
* Don't be a perfectionist about it.
* Don't worry about your size. Dance is for everyone.
* Get into the music, as well as the movement.

Any new skill can bring confidence. At parties and social events, you may even find yourself heading for the dance floor feeling good about yourself ... without having to have a great big drink for encouragement.

Peter Jones
www.perfectweddingdance,com
www.peterjones.8m.com

Choosing a dance studio or instructor

Choosing a quality Dance Studio or instructor takes some research and common sense. If you are shopping around and are looking for the cheapest thing you can find, keep in mind that you generally do get what you pay for - you may learn a few steps, but you might not be learning how to dance.

Some of the factors you might consider include professional certification. Some studios employ teachers who are not certified. Certification is simply a professional affirmation of a skill level, and is always nice, but perhaps you are not looking for an instructor that will drive you to winning competions in a few months.

One of the things I have noted in the past is that students work best when they are comfortable and relaxed, so be sure that you actually like your instructor! That should be the first thing you decide when you start your lessons. Take advantage of a Trial lesson, which is either low cost or free. (But be prepared for the interview afterward, when the instructor or studio presents their comments and recommendations, and of course the Pitch. After all, the Studio does want to sell you lessons - it has to, to stay in business. But do not let a hard sell trap you - if the studio has to resort to being a used car salesman, it may not have a lot of confidence in its instructors.)

Know what you want, going in. Do you want the personal attention you get in a private lesson? Do you want a slower paced Group lesson? You will learn faster in a private lesson, but group lessons are much less expensive, and can be a lot of fun. Would you prefer to have a small group of your friends come in together and make a private Group lesson? There are always lots of options.

Look for atmosphere. Are people friendly? Is the Studio clean?

And always have fun.

This article is written by Peter Jones of Ballroom NYC http://www.perfectweddingdance.com
mail: info@perfectweddingdance.com
917-375 3027

ballroom dancing pointers

The most important thing is to remember to have fun when you're dancing. Specific step patterns and rhythms are just tools you use to make the dancing (communication between two bodies) easier.

This article is written by Peter Jones of Ballroom NYC http://www.perfectweddingdance.com
mail: info@perfectweddingdance.com
917-375 3027