What’s the difference between a good ballroom dancer and a great one? Their knowledge of and ability to perform dance steps and movement is often equal. But you can see the difference between a good and a great ballroom dancer in their posture and body styling. This article highlights skills to work on to improve your body styling and posture and look amazing on the dance floor.
Arm styling
Positioning and movement of the arms, reflecting the character of a dance or style of dancing.
Axis of rotation
An imaginary vertical line around which the body turns. Depending on the type of rotation, an axis can run through the center of the body, through one of its sides, or outside of the body altogether.
Back line
The line across the back of the shoulders, from elbow to elbow. In Closed Position, a good Back Line is expansive and slightly rounded, with no pinching of the shoulder blades.
Balance
The correct distribution of body weight between the feet or over the standing foot.
Base
The lower half of the body, including the feet, legs and hips.
Blocks of weight
The primary sections of the upper body arranged vertically. From top down: Head, Shoulder/Chest, Abdomen, and Hips.
Body completes turn
Indicated in the chart under Amount of Turn. Used primarily on the inside if a turn, usually following a step labeled “body turns less”, where the amount of body rotation is less than the amount of foot rotation. When the body completes turn, it squares off with the feet.
Body contact
The area of physical contact between man’s and lady’s body when in Closed, Promenade, or Outside Partner position.
Body flight
The natural release of body weight from a swinging action. Body Flight is found in the ballroom swing dances.
Body rise
Elevation of the body achieved by straightening the knees.
Body swing
A pendulum-type swinging action of the body.
Body turn
Amount of turn of the body when it is different from the feet.
Body turns less
Indicated in the chart under Amount of Turn. Used primarily on the inside if a turn, when the amount of body rotation is less than the amount of foot rotation. A step taken with “body turns less” is usually followed by a step with “body completes turn”.
Body weight
The concept of the weight of the entire body as a unit. The relationship of the body weight to the feet is determined primarily by the Center, but can be affected by the weight of individual body parts.
Bump
Dancers bump hips to the side or the buttocks of their partners.
Carriage
The position of the arms and top line while in dance position.
Center
The place on the body just below the abdomen and above the groin. Balance is determined primarily by the placement of the center in relationship to the feet.
Compression
The lowering of the center resulting from the bending of the knees, for the purpose of commencing movement.
Counter weight
Tension applied to a connection through the opposition of of the partners’ body weight.
Expression
Effective communication of feeling, character, and emotion felt by the dancer.
Facing
A description of the alignment of the body, when it is the same as the feet.
Free leg
The leg that does not have the majority of body weight, being free enough to move.
Hip motion
Any movement of the hips, either independently of the torso and spine (such as Latin hip motion), or in unison with the torso and spine (such as is the case in the smooth/swinging dances).
Isolation
Movement of one part of the body independently of the rest.
Latin hip motion
The characteristic movement of the hips found in the Latin and Rhythm dances. It is achieved by rotating the hips around the spine.
Line
Lines, real or imaginary, created by the positioning of the various body parts in a visually pleasing manner.
Lowering
The lowering of the body from a position of rise, through the action of the ankles/feet. Not to be confused with compression.
Poise The pitch of the body and placement of the body weight relative to the feet.
Projection
Extension of the body position, posture, movement, energy and volume to a performance level.
Pull
Tension applied to a connection through the manipulation of body weight or away from it.
Push
Tension applied to a connection through the manipulation of body weight toward it.
Push & pull
Tension applied to a connection through the manipulation of body weight toward it (push) or away from it (pull)
Shoulder leading
Position of the body such that the shoulder (and usually the entire side of the body) corresponding to the moving foot is in advance of the other side. For example, when the right foot moves forward, the right side of the body moves forward in advance of the left side. Opposite of Contra Body Movement.
Standing leg
The leg which bears the majority of the body weight.
Straight
Without sway to left or right.
Stretch
To extend a limb or muscle to full length, or to increase the extension possible.
Supporting Leg
The leg which bears the majority of the body weight.
Swinging action
The action of swinging the body weight from foot to foot as though suspended from an anchor point high above, like a pendulum.
Tension
Tautness in the muscles sufficient to maintain tone.
Top line
The line created by the head, neck, shoulders, arms and back, usually in dance position.
Weight change
The full transference of body weight from one foot to the other.
Weight connection
Connection created by both partners leaning their body weight in toward each other, or pulling their body weight away from each other.