We are going to explore different dances that your dance teacher may suggest for your development. In this article we are going to explore the all time classic Waltz.
So let's dive in and get a better idea for why your Arthur Murray instructor suggested it, some important benefits to learning the dance, and some common misconceptions that will help you make an informed choice going forward.
1. Posture
This is the best dance for developing great posture on, and off, the dance floor. That's it, end of story. No other dance comes close to Waltz in the posture department.
2. Balance
If different dances were like different types of exercise, then the Waltz would be Yoga. It is constantly challenging your balance to strengthen and improve you in that area.
3. Timing
Waltz is the only dance that uses a 3/4 timing. Once you've learned this and can have your feet correspond to what you hear, this gives any student a better ear for the music in any dance or genre.
4. Grace
When posture and balance work in harmony with each other, the end result is graceful movement.
5. Leading and Following
Waltz is one of the few dances that uses both linear and vertical movement to connect with your partner. Mastering this is a process but the end result is a dance partnership that works as one cohesive unit together.
6. Confidence
Moving gracefully and with great posture makes you look confident on, or off, the dance floor. The Waltz gives any student the look of a dancer in the shortest amount of time possible.
Any dancer with Waltz in their program will see an immediate benefit in the other dances they enjoy. Here are some quick examples to look for.
1. Salsa & Bachata
These two dances are exciting, popular, and rhythmical... but without great posture the clarity of leading and following can be muted. Like having an expensive cell phone but with a bad signal.
2. Argentine Tango
This sexy dance uses the exact same body mechanics as Waltz for sending and receiving signals. Use Waltz as the prep-dance for future work in Argentine Tango.
3. Hustle & Swing
While these dances may not seem connected to Waltz, every dance teacher understands how important this connection is. Any dance that has a lot of turns and spins will get an immediate upgrade with the posture and balance of Waltz.
If every dance you enjoyed were your favorite foods, then Waltz would be a multi-vitamin. It's great for you, but you don't take it for the taste.
If every dance on your program was an outfit, the Waltz would be a gown or tuxedo - so you probably wouldn't wear it to the beach (Salsa) or grocery store (Foxtrot). It's your special occasion dance.
The Waltz can be the first dance that makes you feel, and look, like a dancer. This helps to stretch you further outside the second guessing confines of your comfort zone.
Remember that regardless of what dance you're doing, from the waist up you should be dancing Waltz. Great posture makes every dance look better.
Your dance teachers will recommend new dances and projects based on how they are going to enhance your experience and get you to your desired goals faster.
Even if a dance like the Waltz made you do a double take, hopefully this article clears up the intent behind that suggestion.