Waltz frame, Posture, Position, Footwork

Some technique points on Waltz (also applicable to other Standard dances):

• Maintain good posture. That means Man's head should not be leading the feet in forward motion.
• Maintain good position. Our shoulders should be parallel to each other (not wrapped around). The right side of Lady's body should come to about Man's sternum, and vice versa.
  
• Maintain a big top-line (arms and elbows out wide) with head tilting 1/8 to the left in closed position. Man and Lady balance against each other. This is why practicing by yourself doesn't quite cover it. The keyword here is to "maintain" the position.
  
• Footwork is very important. http://www.dancecentral.info/ballroom/international-style has very detailed information on steps, timing, diagrams and footwork. Study!
• Follow through on the steps. Sometimes Man and Lady gaps in between (this is obvious when the partners start dancing in contact). Man: avoid stopping abruptly at the end of a change, that would cause the separation.
• Natural Turn and Reverse Turn: whoever is moving forward, drive it (bigger step, as this person is on the outside of the turn).
• Closed Changes: When connecting Natural Turn and Reverse Turn, there is no turns on change steps. Don't cheat.