Dance Lovers

Back when I was first taking lessons we had to rotate partners so we'd have the experience of dancing with different people.

When the instructors would demonstrate steps they would have the men stand on once side and the women on the other. The male instructor would demonstrate the man's part and his partner the lady's.

It was a great time to catch up with my friends but I'd often hear about how some of the men didn't like dancing with certain ladies. What these men didn't know or care about was the amount they could learn from these "problem ladies".

If something went wrong while practicing with my partner I would always ask myself, "what could I have done better?". By doing this I naturally learned to be a better dancer and the attitude I presented to my partner was not one of judgement about their skill level.

My friends who said some of the ladies were difficult were not making the ladies feel good about themselves so naturally problems would occur.

I always found that my partners, whether excellent, long-term dancers or rank beginners would always relax when we were together because they knew I truly enjoyed dancing with them and that I never would blame them for a botched dance step.

Whether you are a man or a woman never blame the other person for something that goes wrong on the dance floor. It's counter-productive to learning something about yourself and enjoying your experience.

I wanted to offer a suggestion on how to be practicing. Don't initially put any pressure on yourself to lead in the beginning. Discuss what step you're going to work on ... then just practice that step. Then discuss and put one step before or after ... so you're doing two together. Practice that combination before you add another. Then build to have several little combinations.

So, for example, in single swing: I'd recommend just practicing the basic first. (Also practice from several different directions so when you do go out to dance, it's not unfamiliar. We can get to use to only doing a pattern facing a certain way in a certain room ... then going to a new place seems challenging). Then perhaps do a basic and an underarm turn to the left and right then another basic.

Start and stop and start again until you're comfortable repeating things without stopping. Then perhaps work on sugar push building up to include the whole sugar push sequence; again start and stop until you're comfortable repeating the sequence without stopping. Then (first discuss things) lead a basic, the two underarms, a basic to catch the hands, sugar push with the ending ... and then be able to repeat the entire sequence without stopping.

Just ideas. It takes time, practice, and repetition to learn to dance. It's a great hobby, wonderful exercise, very worthwhile and something that you can feel an improvement in every year you continue. Be patient with yourself and your partner and have fun.

It takes a while to learn what dance to do to what music. Dancing is simple expressing yourself to the music. Often times you can do several different dances to the same tune. We use to do a dance demonstration to a Whitney Houston song where we did 10 different dances to the same tune: bolero, foxtrot, cha cha, rumba, east coast swing, samba, merengue, hustle, west coast swing, etc. Waltz is in 3; most other dances are in "2" or "4" so that can often times be interchangeable ... things depend on the "feel" of the beats and rhythm and the speed. You can do your waltz patterns to a waltz and slow waltz (it simply is slower; slow waltz is actually considered "International" style where waltz is usually "American" style; Viennese Waltz is much faster where one does a lot of spins and turns).

Learning to dance takes time, practice, and repetition. Don't initially put any pressure on yourself to lead in the beginning. Discuss what step you're going to work on ... then just practice that step. Then discuss and put one step before or after ... so you're doing two together. Practice that combination before you add another. Then build to have several little combinations. So, for example, in swing: I'd recommend just practicing the basic first. (Also practice from several different directions so when you do go out to dance, it's not unfamiliar. We can get to use to only doing a pattern facing a certain way in a certain room ... then going to a new place seems challenging). Then perhaps do a basic and an underarm turn to the left and right then another basic. Start and stop and start again until you're comfortable repeating things without stopping. Then perhaps work on sugar push building up to include the whole sugar push sequence; again start and stop until you're comfortable repeating the sequence without stopping. Then (first discuss things) lead a basic, the two underarms, a basic to catch the hands, sugar push with the ending ... and then be able to repeat the entire sequence without stopping.

Dancing is a great hobby, wonderful exercise, very worthwhile and something that you can feel an improvement in every year you continue. Be patient with yourself and your partner and have fun.

Learn the names of the steps. If you're practicing with a partner, you can then be specific about which pattern you'd like to work. Learn how to count the steps in slows and quicks and also with proper numbers. For example, cha cha has the "feel" of slow, slow, slow, quick-quick" or "1, 2, 3, 4 and." East coast swing (triple swing) would be counted "1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6" or "triple step, triple step, rock step" or "quick quick slow, quick quick slow, slow slow." As you count, don't let your lips move; do it mentally. Practice with nobody watching - preferably in front of a mirror if possible; you can even video tape yourself periodically. If you take private dance lessons or group dance classes (in addition to instructional dance videos or DVDs), practice immediately after the lesson - or as soon as possible - while things are fresh in your mind. Frequency of practice is more important that just one long practice session: you can practice less time more often. People can usually find 10 to 20 minutes to practice here and there; don't be discouraged if you can't find an hour or more to practice. Frequency and repetition are very productive. For example ... 1/2 hour four times a week is actually better than one 2 hour session a week.

When watching an instructional dance video or DVD, check to see which foot to use, which direction your body turns, and which hand is doing the leading. For example in swing or in cha cha, notice whether the lead's left hand or right had might be causing an underarm turn for the follower. Don't be afraid to use the rewind button and watch and practice along with the video. Try to stand tall and also be working on your posture; look and feel as elegant as possible ... it helps one's attitude and appearance. Learning the foundation or basic step is far more important than learning a fancy pattern first. When you watch someone else dance, it's not how many patterns they know but how well they move.

Learn, in the beginning, one step at a time. practice it over and over and over until you can do it naturally. Practice with your arms and body, using proper position and dance frame; how you practice is how you dance. Keep the arms rounded in front of you, for example, if you're working on smooth dances like waltz or foxtrot. When you learn a second or newer step, when you're comfortable with the newer step, do it before the first step (the one you are most comfortable with). Each time you learn a new step, put it in front of the routine instead of at the end of the combination or dance amalgamation. Do it over and over with the video while you're watching your part. Don't study or practice sitting down. Be an active participant.

People just starting out learning to dance do not need to go out and buy elaborate dance shoes but one does need shoes that are conducive to dancing. Tennis shoes or crepe soles often grab the floor and put you at a handicap; they're great for the basketball game where you need to be able to stop quickly. Leather bottom or a suede soles with a little give work best. You need your leg muscles relaxed not tight. If a shoe is too slick, a shoe brush can brush up the bottom slightly so you have some control. If you do buy dance shoes, I recommend carrying them in some sort of shoe bag and putting them on at the location of the dance. Don't wear expensive dance shoes outside; the different surfaces can affect their performance and use. Especially if it's raining or wet outside, carry the shoes you will be using for dancing. Wet soles will "stick" to the floor and not allow any give. Ladies, it's ideal to also have some sort of strap to help keep the shoe on your foot; you don't want to have to be "tightening your toes" to keep the shoes on. Also ... if you're use to only wearing flats and want dance shoes, I'd recommed a low rather than high heel to get use to the balance. Good dance shoes help to balance the foot properly.

Latin styling should be used in rumba, cha cha, mambo, merengue, bolero, and east coast swing. In a very simplistic basic form ... one knee bends as the other knee straightens; you step with a bent leg with no weight. Practice going up stairs slowly to understand the mechanics and the sense of muscle movement. Start, for example, with your weight on your right foot and leg as you step up, with a bent knee, with your left foot. (At this point one leg is bent and one leg is straight). You initially step with a bent leg with no weight. As you transfer your weight to go up the step onto your left foot (which starts to "straighten"), your right leg bends as you place the right foot on the next stair step up ... stepping with a bent knee with no weight. Another nice way to practice latin motion at first is to the side. Start with your feet together. Transfer your weight onto the right foot, straightening the right knee. (Your right hip will settle diagonally back). As you step side onto the left foot, the left knee is bent and the right leg is straight. You're stepping with a bent knee and no weight; your stepping toward the inside edge of the foot. As you transfer the weight onto the left foot, your left knee straightens as the right foot, with a bent right knee with no weight, is placed next to the left foot. You're now ready to repeat; you can also reverse the actions and practice going side to the right.
In the cha cha, no step or movement should be more than 12 inches in length. Several suggestions for counting cha cha: instead of thinking " 1, 2, 3, cha cha" or " 1, 2, 3, quick quick" think " 1, 2, 3, slow step." The proper count is " 1, 2, 3, 4 and." Most people do the "4 and" too quickly and too small. Most people also incorrectly make the "4 and" seem like 3 movements (cha cha cha) but the "1" needs to be held for a full count. Learning about timing and style well greatly add to your dance enjoyment and your appearance.

Tango is a dramatic and powerful dance. There is no rise and fall; you stay into the knees with the quadriceps forward. It's slinky, sneaky, and cat-like. When you go forward, you step with a heel lead. You're slightly off center of your partner ... about 4 inches. Keep the knees slightly bent, the shoulders way back, with the hips and thighs forward. There is a slight right shoulder lead (for both the man and the lady) which would also could the weight of each step to be toward the outside edge then toward the inside edge of the foot. On the final drag or hesitation, the man could slightly lift his right rib cage.

The art of following well takes time to develop. With time and experience ladies can really learn how to contribute to a dance partnership. Ladies should always move slower than the man. Since they are not leading, they should not get some place first ... or determine the length of a step ... or decide what direction to go ... or what pattern he's thinking. In foxtrot, for example, think ALL slows; make him CAUSE the quicks. Just try to stay with the beat and do slow, slow, slow. You can make and allow him to become a good leader. If he does something wrong or different, still follow him. Don't help. Ladies want to help; we want to help with the patterns, with the lead, with the beats ... don't. Allow him to grow by waiting for him to lead. Ladies you are 50% of the team ... even though he's leading. Offer whatever he's giving: if he pushes, push an equal amount against him. This philosophy will help you (and your partner) keep your dance frame. Whether it's foxtrot, waltz, or tango, etc., you do not want to be accused of having "spaghetti arms" - loose arms with no tone or stability. Keep the "W" in the frame between you; don't allow your right arm/hand to be pushed in line with your head or behind your head. Both dance partners should always keep their arms rounded forward in front of them. In swing (east coast swing or west coast swing), again, if he pulls, pull slightly against him. He wants to pull you into a pattern ... not just pull and get an arm coming forward; the pull should bring the lady's body forward (since she's got tone in her arms and offers a bit of resistance). There has to be one leader and one follower in a dance couple; let the leader become a good one and the lady will become a good follower.

A nice exercise to practice for your ballroom dance postion: start with your arms relaxed down to your sides. Lift the arms out to the sides with the arm muscles ... not by letting your shoulders come up with tension; then simply fold the forearms in ... leaving the elbows wide. Think about pulling the shoulders down and away from the ears. You want to have a "wide back" for a nice dance frame. This is especially true in the smooth dances: waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep, and Viennese waltz.
Men: in a ballroom dance hold: keep the fingers of your right hand together when in the dance position so your hand does not look like a spider on the lady's back. The hand should be placed just under her shoulder blade; that allows the lady to lean back and away.
When you're in an open position ... as in Cha Cha in a crossover break, as in Bolero or Waltz in an open break ... pretend like you are holding an egg softly with the thumb and middle finger. That's a nice generic hand position you can count on.
In swing keep your fingers pointed in toward your dance partner ... not with the finger nails digging in. You need to maintain "tone" in the fingers -- and equal pull and push with your partner. You do not squeeze with the fingers; you also do not use any pressure with the thumbs as the hands have to be free to rotate in various underarm turns.
Communication throught the dance position, hands, and arms is important in good social dancing. Offer tone and strength without being rigid, tight, or too loose.

Latin action is easiest to learn in a dance like merengue ... where you're stepping on every beat. Some things to keep in mind: think one knee straight and one knee bent; as one straightens, the other bends. Practice first with feet slightly apart and shift the weight from one leg to the other ... as if waiting at a "bus stop" ... and the bus still doesn't arrive ... then shift again, etc. You can also practice going up stairs slowly; as one knee bends, you step onto a bent leg with no weight; that leg then straightens as the other knee bends and you repeat the action onto the next step.
You'll use latin action in other dances like rumba, cha cha, mambo, salsa, bolero, and even in east coast swing and jive. When you "rock back" in the latin dances, pretend there's a rubber ball under your heel ... so you can not sink all the way to the floor. You could very lightly touch the floor with the heel ... as in a light "kiss." Do not let your rear end sink down or fall back away from your dance partner.
When traveling forward ... as in forward walks in rumba, you step with a "flat foot" rather than a heel lead. The ball of the foot very slightly lands first; the weight is toward the inside edge of the foot; the foot is slightly turned out so one is not "pigeon toed."
Practice your styling slowly first. When working on the styling in cha cha, first isolate the latin action on individual counts. For example, just do the hip action (leg action) on the "2" count; or just on the "1" count; unless you're really proficient, do not incorporate the action on the "4 and." (Cha Cha is counted "1, 2, 3, 4 and.") Remember to feel grounded and earthy rather than light and bouncy.

If you haven’t been taking part in dance shows or stage performances before, choosing your first ballroom competition dress might turn to be a challenging task. Most probably you are not ready to spend a fortune on your first competition costume, you are also not sure what color or design to choose, you might not even know where to buy a dress for dance competitions at all. Still, this is your first big show and you want to look great and be the queen of the ball. This article addresses some of the basic questions most of the beginners bump into when looking for their dance costumes for competition.  

Question N1. Do I need a dance costume?

Some couples decide not to bother with their dance costumes for competition at all. I’ve noticed people wearing their disco party clothes or their evening gowns at ballroom competition. To some extent it makes sense of course. You might not even be sure if you are going to continue dancing at all. Why buy a competition ballroom dress to leave it dust in your closet afterwards? 

However, I don’t think it’s really a good option. Mainly for the reason you are unlikely to feel comfortable wearing these clothes. Party and evening dresses are often made of a non-stretchy fabric that is not suited for ballroom dancing.  The ballroom competition costumes are specifically designed to show off the ballroom movements and positions to best advantage. Long full skirts in smooth/standard dances accentuate the gliding movements of the dancer, while fringed or ripped skirts show off the hip work and fast movements in latin. The regular evening dress simply wouldn’t make the same impression.

The second reason you should consider your looks seriously is that despite everything the judges and teachers say – ballroom dancing is quite a subjective sport. It’s important for you to stand out on the dance floor. And a good ballroom costume is one of the factors that will help you do so.   

So my position here is: if you are a beginning dancer who doesn’t want to spend large sums on dance costumes for competitions - go for professional look at the cheapest cost you can find. You may either rent a costume, or order a simple undecorated dress from a tailor – neither will require a fortune.

Question N.2. Where do I find dance costumes for competition?

Start your quest for ballroom competition costume from your dancing teacher. He is the person who usually knows good tailors or ballroom dance shops in your area and who can recommend you one. He also knows the actual level of the approaching competition and can advice you what kind of gown would be appropriate to wear for it. The dress code may vary from competition to competition - you want to be neither overly dressed nor look too modest compared to other couples.

Ballroom dress seamstress

Having your competition dress custom made is probably the best option, given that you managed to find a good ballroom dress maker . A custom made dress is guaranteed to fit your figure, compliment your face complexion and be adjusted to your budget. By having your dress made – you get much more flexibility in choosing fabric, colors, and ballroom dress design. You will also get some professional advice from the seamstresses who designed many ballroom dresses before and therefore know what ballroom dress design would suit you best. A good ballroom dress tailor will always recommend you how to save on a dress if you have a limited budget. For instance the tailor may design the dress in a way so he could add more decorations or extra floats/feathers/skirts later on. The only possible disadvantage of a custom-made gown is that it takes some time before it is ready.

Pre-owned gowns

If you need a ballroom competition dress quickly you may consider buying a second hand gown from other dancers. The pre-owned gowns come in all shapes and sizes, priced extremely differently. From cheap “home-made” gowns, to brand new “designer sponsored” dresses, which were only worn once and are now offered for sale with a discount.  Sponsored gowns are usually beautiful, heavily stoned, but imho quite expensive for a beginner.  Still, the range of gowns is very big so you are likely to find something appropriate for your level and your pocket.

When buying a pre-worn gown be sure to ask how many times this dress was worn, require a closer picture of the dress and possibly agree on a return in case the dress turns to be not quite as “brand new” as promised.

Ballroom dress rentals

Renting a ballroom dancing gown is another option you might consider. If you are not sure about what design or color would suit you best, don’t have more than 200 USD to spend and still want a nice professional competition dress – consider a dress rental. The rentals would usually let you choose between two or three dresses, too. And some would even let you buy the dress, if you loved it too much to give it back.

 
To be continued…

Part II of the article “how to choose your first ballroom competition costume” will feature recommendations on how to choose the color of a ballroom dress, your image as a dancing couple, and some handy advice on how to check if the dress really fits.

By Maria Chitul

Ballroom Sparkle Studio

Ballroom Fashion tips by Maria Chitul
Maria is the owner of Ballroom Sparkle studio <http://www.ballroomsparkle.com>, designing gowns for ballroom dancers all over the world. At her site you will find a lot of gown designs, articles about ballroom fashion and style advice for beginners.

There isn’t a single answer as to what ballroom dress would suit you best. The first and probably the most important condition is that you have to feel comfortable both emotionally and physically in the dress of your choice. Take some time and think – how do you see yourself on the dance floor? Are you chick? Romantic? Passionate? Flirty? You should choose a design that would appeal to your inner self and to your style of dancing. In my experience the time spent on finding your own style pays off much better than any designer-made dress stuffed with stones from head to toes.  

Be sure to discuss your preferences with your partner. Ideally you should develop a common image of you as a couple. A couple where the girl looks like a high-class sophisticated lady while her partner plays a hot Macho man looks somehow weird.

Basic Fit

Take a few simple precautions to ensure you will feel ok in your costumes during the competition. Raise your hands, make a couple of moves in front of the mirror, and observe the skirt motion. For standard dresses – make sure not to choose a very long skirt or you risk catching your heels in it. For latin gowns – its important that your top stays in place while you are dancing. The straps should be elastic and strong enough not to fall off your shoulders, and your bra or the sewed-in bra cups shouldn’t move from your breasts.  Take some time to practice dancing together with your partner in your competition costumes. Your skirt should allow enough room for motion for both of you, and your sleeves should not impede your partner to hold your hands or change places.

Every competition follows a certain dress code, which might not allow some fabrics or decorations for your dance level. It’s better to learn them in advance not to get banned from the dance floor only for wearing latin competition gown decorated with feathers which were not allowed.

Colors – safe black or blatant pink?

Choosing dull colors is probably the commonest mistake a beginning performer makes.   Being scared away by the bright colors, he would never wear in the real life, like pink or bright-green he ends up choosing something absolutely plain like grey, charcoal or brown.There’s nothing wrong with choosing dim colors, but any dancing competition - is still a show and it is important to stand out.  If all the other dancers are in red, your black dress will look gorgeous. But if you have no idea what other competitors wear – my suggestion is to bet for brighter colors.

Of course this doesn’t cancel the need to choose the colors that suit your complexion and compliment your figure. Not everyone can safely wear bright “electric” colors, like orange or fuchsia. Orange would look great on dark haired tanned girls while a blond girl would look greenish in it. Pink shades suit many skin types and are quite popular among dancers, yet they can add you several extra kg’s, so pick the design carefully.

Black always looks elegant and sophisticated, but it usually requires some bright accessories or a lot of sparkling stones to help it stand out. Otherwise, since your partner is usually wearing black it is likely you will blend on his background. Brown and sand colors should be picked carefully for the same reason - they tend to blend you with the floor. White looks great on most people, it gives a fresh and rich impression, yet it is quite impractical.

Summarizing the above said –  besides matching your taste and complexion – the color should not be dim or “dusty”, it shouldn’t blend with your face, your partner’s clothes or the dance floor. If you are picking a popular color, which many dancers are likely to wear, such as flame red or pink – try to find an unusual ballroom gown design that would let you stand out. Or, ask your tailor to design a special ballroom dress just for you.

Stage look

 
Another little thing you should keep in mind while choosing dress fabric and design. It mostly matters how you look at a distance. You dance for the audience, which sits quite far from you (5-10-15-20 m away).  Any small pattern would either go unnoticed or would look silly.  And vice-versa: If the dress you are looking at looks vulgar to you - put it on the rack and get a second look at a 10m distance. You might change your mind then. :)

Say no to small dots, little flowers,  and the like.  The only exception is probably animal print, but again, make sure it’s visible from a 10 m. distance.  My personal opinion is that it’s always better to buy a fabric with no patterns and decorate the dress with stones and appliqué work after that: this method leaves you with more space for improvisation.

A final platitude for a summary

No matter how gorgeous your dress is – it does not guarantee you the finals. But a well chosen dress - one that fits your figure, has an interesting design, right colors, topped with a good makeup – will definitely make you stand out.  Wearing it, you will feel comfortable during your performance and will get the biggest prize for any dancer:  the audience applauses.

To be continued with “Get the ballroom dress that flatters your shape”. Pictures and sketches included.  Check back soon for the update.

***

Ballroom Fashion tips by Maria Chitul
Maria is the owner of Ballroom Sparkle studio <http://www.ballroomsparkle.com>, designing gowns for ballroom dancers all over the world. At her site you will find a lot of gown designs, articles about ballroom fashion and style advice for beginners.

Each dance has its own style. Waltz is typically graceful ... with lots of rise and fall. In all of smooth dancing, do unlock your knees ... as a lot of rise comes from your feet. In counting waltz "1, 2, 3" the feet would correspond to thinking "Heel, Toe, Toe Lower." It's good to practice the footwork in a simple box move ... or in waltz steps forward (also known as progressive waltz steps). The last "toe lower" not only lowers onto the foot but also slightly into the knees. You'll now be able to start the next step with softened knees ... that will allow you to push off from the supporting foot onto the next step with drive and power ... rising up onto count 2 onto the toes ... continue up to the third step ... and lower at the end of the 3rd step. When you do bring the feet together (in closed or bronze footwork), bring them together slowly ... not quickly. Stretch count 2; you think and dance 'one, stretch, 3' ... or 'drive, take your time.' When doing box moves and closing the feet (also in foxtrot and quickstep), you can let the inside of your heels gently touch together ... like placing fine china together.

Learning dance patterns are fun; learning styling can be challenging and rewarding ... and can make your dancing look great.