Latin: ribcage isolation exercises

Keep hips still and only move ribcage. (To help to make sure hips don't move, the exercise can also be done when sitting on the edge of the chair.)

• arms:
• R arm reach to floor on the side (make sure chest don't collapse forward or bend backward)
• repeat for L arm
• R arm reach up above head on the side
• repeat for L arm
  
• ribcage: Left, Right (with arms extends to both sides)
  
• ribcage: Left with L shoulder diagonally up, Right with Right shoulder diagonally up
  
• ribcage: Front, Back
• ribcage: Front, stop middle, Back, stop middle, Front (repeat)
• ribcage: L, F, R, B - separate distinct positions first, then smooth circular movement
• ribcage: L, B, R, F - separate distinct positions first, then smooth circular movement

Keep upper body still and only move hips:

• Hip to left and right side: first slow, then faster
  
• Hip: Left, Front, Right, Back; then, Left Back, Right, Front; (first stop at distinct point, then try circular continuous movement)

International Samba: Boto Fogo technique

Samba Traveling Boto Fogo technique break down:

Going forward (diagonal)

• "&": pendulum action forward. bounce, lift heel. There should be a moment when both heels are off the floor.
• "a": hip rotation to step the other foot forward, emphasize hip rotation. Ribs, shoulders move less.
• "1": step front foot, back leg straight, hip turn out. swivel back foot, break ankle. The heel of the front foot should drop to floor.
• "&": pendulum action forward, raise the heel of front foot, it is not flat-footed movement.
• "a": hip rotation to step other foot forward, in the same direction as the motion (not to the side), place partial weight, then hips turn 90 degrees.
• "1": step the other foot. back foot is turned out, break ankle.

ISTD Waltz Syllabus: descriptions, step by step diagrams, videos

There has been a lot of updates on the website! For the International Waltz Newcomer and Bronze Syllabus figures listed below, in addition to timing, step by step descriptions, alignment, footwork, technique notes, we've also added step-by-step diagrams, including all the official variations, preceding and following figures and instructional videos that demonstrated the patterns.

Newcomer level:

1. Closed Changes
2. Natural Turn
3. Reverse Turn
4. Natural Spin Turn
5. Whisk
6. Chasse from Promenade Position

Bronze level:

1. Closed Impetus
2. Hesitation Change
3. Outside Change
4. Reverse Corté
5. Back Whisk
6. Basic Weave
7. Double Reverse Spin
8. Reverse Pivot
9. Back Lock
10. Progressive Chassé to R

Happy Dancing!

Standard Technique: CBM versus CBMP

CBM, or Contra-body Movement, is a rotation of the body. It is used to set up body position subsequent steps. CBMP, or Contra-Body Movement Position, is a step. In a figure such as the Feather Step in Foxtrot, CBM on the first step on the right foot sets up the correct relative position of leader and follower so that the followers steps in CBMP on the second step, and the leader steps in CBMP on the third step.

Tango Technique

Tango Silver practice routine:

1. Walk  (S) starting Man DW
2. Walk  (S)
3. Progressive Link  (QQ) ending traveling DC
4. Promenade Link  (SQQ)
5. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside  (QQS QQS) Open Finish
6. Four Step  (QQQQ) ending traveling DC in PP on new LOD
7. Open Promenade  (SQQS)
8. Outside Swivel  (SQQ)
9. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn  (QQSS QQS QQS)
10. Progressive Link  (QQ)
11. Natural Promenade Turn  (S QQS)
12. Rock Turn  (QQS QQS) 2-7 Closed Finish
13. Progressive Link  (QQ)
14. Natural Twist Turn  (S QQS QQ) underturned, ending traveling on new LOD
15. Promenade Link  (SQQ)
16. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside  (QQS QQS)
17. Progressive Link  (QQ) toward corner
18. Back Open Promenade  (SQQS)

A couple of technique points on Tango:

• On Progressive link: Man: step diagonally forward with left foot, pushing follower's right leg out of the way. step 1 is very strong CBMP. Man should turn his frame when his weight is on his left foot, then put down right foot under shoulder, in promenade position.
• On Promenade link: when in PP, lady has to stay behind Man. on second step, when Lady steps LF forward and across in CBMP, it needs to stay behind Man, so after turning to face Man, the left leg can be in the right position.
• On Four Step: The first part is like Open Reverse Turn, it ends with Lady's LF closes to RF, but slightly back to give room for Man), in PP. This is different from the ending position in Progressive Link (where LF steps to the side.)
• On Open promenade, when this is followed by Outside Swivel, as Lady is quickly back into closed position, the Lady can keep her head position in Open Promenade all the way through Outside Swivel.
• Both Man and Lay should pay close attention to correct footwork and alignment.

Buiding a ballet dancer's foot

The Salt Lake Tribune has a fascinating article talking about what it takes for a ballerina to be able to dance en pointe. There is emphasis on how ballet has become more athletic with time, and the cross-training that both men and women need to withstand the rigors of their art. This applies not just to ballet, but to ballroom dance as well, as champion ballroom dancers are world class athletes in their own right.

Dance performance: entering and exiting floor

Generally, the lady puts her left hand on top of Man's right hand as
they enter the floor. Quickly find a spot that fits your routine's and
with less crowd. When you get there, do not get into frame until
the music starts, because you don't want to be standing there in frame
if for some reason the music does not start as planned.

When the music ends, Man guides the lady to turn out to his right
side, both facing the audience closest to you. Man extends his left
hand to the lady, thumb down, and she takes it with her right hand and
twirls off to Man's left. At that point, she curtseys, and Man steps
forward with his left foot and place his right hand behind his back.