Stand Up Straight!

This is probably one of the most important parts of Ballroom Dancing.

When we stand up straight we are in balance.  If we are not as straight as possible, our bodies will start swinging out in all different directions.

If this doesn't make sense, then consider this.  Say you have an umbrella over your table outside.  You know, one of those that stick in the middle of the table?  Now, imagine you are spinning the umbrella while it stands upright.  It is relatively easy to move.  Now, say it is one of those that can bend over at a point in the middle.  Bend it over a slight bit, then try to rotate it again.  Not as easy the second time is it?  And if you spin it fast enough, it may end up pulling the whole table over!  The same thing will happen if you either stick your head forward, or if you stick your bottom out backwards.  They will act like the top of the umbrella.  Your body will always want to move towards the center point of balance while you spin, and if something is not centered completely over your feet, your center point of balance will be somewhere other then over your feet, and you might end up falling over like the umbrella.

Now, how do we stand up straight?  How do you know if you have that ideal posture?  A good place to start is your wall.  No, I'm not kidding, your everyday holding-up-the-house wall.  All you need to do is stand with your back to the wall, and get as much of your body as is comfortable to touch the wall.  Usually this will be your head, shoulder line, hips, a lot of your legs, and your heels.  Move off the wall slowly after you have done this, and hold the position.  This is your starting point for good posture!

As my teacher always says, "If you don't know how to dance, at least make it look like you can!"  Good posture will really help your dancing look good.  This coupled with a good frame will make your dancing look impeccably good.  You can check the post I wrote about frame Here!

This posture though will generally apply to all styles of Ballroom until you become better at dancing.  Then you can start experimenting with all kinds of funny positions.  But for beginners, it is important to just stand up straight!

-Aaron Mullen