FOOT POSITIONS

Some say that if you can walk, then you can dance. Dancing though is more than just walking. The most basic of dance steps is the dance walk. It consists of a forward or backward traveling step, in which the dancer usually takes two steps in 4 beats of music, as in the Slow 
Foxtrot. 
       Dance teachers Richard G. Kraus and Lola Sadlo, in their book Beginning Social Dance, states that “The dance walk is an important part of dancing; to the extent that if done gracefully and with appropriate style, one’s dancing will be successful.” 
       Let’s try the dance walk, first forward and then backward. 

Stand in 1st foot position with the weight on the right foot. Move the CPB (and the  upper body) up and forward, lifting the heel of the right foot. 

Swing the left foot forward with the hip and then the knee as focus point, gliding it very close to the floor. The knee is slightly bent, and is gradually extended and straightened as it reaches far forward. The weight shifts and is taken on ball of the left foot and rolls smoothly onto the rest of the foot. 

Keep moving at an even pace with the CPB held slightly forward and ahead of step. Take the next step leading with the right foot.   

       The backward dance walk is similar to the forward step, but done in reverse. The body weight or CPB is shifted slightly forward, and the dancer swings the right leg backward from the hip, with the knee slightly bent, the leg and ankle extended, and the toe reaching straight back for the floor. The weight is transferred first onto the toe, then the ball, and the entire foot, although it remains chiefly on the ball of the foot. 

HINTS for the DANCE WALK

1. The dance walk must be taken in an absolutely straight line and travel straight forward or backward (from 4th position to 1st position to 4th position), not swaying or waddling from side to side. 
2. Make sure the body is held forward and moves just before the leading foot. 
3. Keep the body erect and graceful. 
4. Keep your legs close together with the knees almost brushing against each other as they pass. 
5. Usually a single dance walk (from the heel of the leading foot to the toe of the supporting foot) is about the length of the dancer’s foot. 
6. Always glide the traveling foot along close to the floor. 
7. Transfer the weight smoothly, with no sudden jarring. 
8. A subtle element of style in the dance walk is the “contrary body” motion. When stepping forward with the left foot, bring the right shoulder slightly forward, and vice versa.