Comments on: 7 Great Tips to Improve Balance while Dancing

By: salsero uk

salsero uk — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:12:44 +0000

Just read this, a really good article and some good follow up points. I’d just like to say this is what I love about this site, having people sharing their experiences and knowledge of dance.
Hopefully this will help people “myself” included get ideas to improve further their dancing.
Julie/Anthony keep up the good work!

By: Susan C.

Susan C. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:59:32 +0000

This is an awesome article for tips on balance. I am so glad that my inquiry about balance inspired you guys to put an article out on this topic! And in my pursuit of dancing improvement, I came across an exercise DVD made by the Dancing with the Stars using all Latin moves including Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, etc. This article you wrote highlights how we can acquire better balance by focusing on our footwork and practicing on our own. This type of exercise (or Zumba classes with Latin aerobics) is also a good choice along with Pilates or Yoga. And with these videos, practice at home is quick and easy.

I also am finding that I have been leaning too much on my lead and turning too far away from him. So I have been focusing on lightening how much I rely on him as well as carefully positioning my feet to turn closer to him which reduces the uncomfortable “body tweak” that occurs from being too far away and knocks me off balance.

I like the idea of doing the sit-ups before going dancing. I do stretches already right before dancing but now I will add the sit-ups to that as well. I find it hard to remember to keep my knees slightly bent, though!

Thank you, Julie, for putting this all together!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:35:40 +0000

This is great! I think a lot of follows have questions about this and I have really been enjoying working with follows to improve their skills with balance.

I think half the battle is improving general posture. We all get set in hunkering over say, at the desk at work, and its hard to bring your body up and out of that 8 hour a day position! But hey, it works wonders for balance and it makes you feel better to lift your head and pull your shoulders back!

I have recently found a tip that really helps follows with this: Pay attention to your back. If you can pull your shoulder blades closer together, you will open up your chest and engage your shoulders and “turn on” your muscles in your arms, and through your core. Try it – I have been getting great responses from this tip!!

By: Donv

Donv — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:33:15 +0000

I went to an open house on Sunday where the teacher does a new choreography every lesson. I’m thinking about taking it because it took me out of my comfort zone which is really good for pushing forward and learning.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:09:32 +0000

I find rebounding work outs very helpful in developing my balance, especially when the unexpected saves come up. I always try to do a 20 minute work out on the mini trampoline before I go out dancing. It’s the only exercise I do. It’s fun and have many other benefits.

By: Eddie-london

Eddie-london — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:38:30 +0000

Its all about timin ur partners movements ..well, thats wat i think… good article julz

By: Donv

Donv — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:18 +0000

The same problem occurs with guys where they have to do a half-turn while holding the follow’s hands. For me I’m always worried that I’m going to smack her with my arms or I’m afraid that I’m going to pull her if I just worried about doing my turn.