Doing this step solo wasn’t too hard. The same basic footwork patterns moving forward instead of just in a box. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Breaking out of that “box” mindset after 2 weeks is hard. Moving in sync with your partner is challenging. And thinking ahead about when to turn, how to avoid other couples, in addition to the footwork is a lesson in improvisation within the confines of a structured set of movements.

As the lead, I’ve got a lot to think about now as I move with my partner around the floor. I’m sure it’ll feel more smooth with practice and the passage of time but for now I’m battling the “oops I’m at the wall now what?” kind of dancing. Luckily my partner is quite understanding since she’s learning how to be a follower. As I said in the last post, 2 type “A” personalities dancing together is interesting.

This structured improvisation that we’re learning must be like good Jazz music – the improvisation of Jazz working within the confines of the music structure. For type A’s, improvisation is something to get comfortable with.

I haven’t taken any formal dance lessons since I had Cotillion in 6th or 7th grade – we learned the Hustle then. The beginner’s ballroom class is all about learning the Waltz and the Foxtrot. The first lesson was on the Waltz “box steps” and the underarm quarter turn.

Some observations from my end after lesson 1 on the Waltz:

• It’s harder than it looks – there’s a lot to it for what seems like so few steps.
• 2 “Type A” personalities make for interesting dancing. Sometime I’ll have to be the “follower” just to see what it’s like.
• It’s easier to keep time and footwork while looking ahead as opposed to looking down at the feet or at the head of my partner.
• Starting out on the correct foot for that quarter turn will have to come from muscle memory since it feels completely “unnatural”.

The instructor is great and after an hour my partner and I were able to make it through a couple of rounds of the basic box with a passable underarm turn. Not bad for an hour’s work – and it was fun exercise.. better than the gym. I’ll have to invest practice time moving around the “box” alone. Perhaps I can get my wife to help me practice.

When I got home I did a few searches for “Waltz Practice”.. this one was interesting.. not exactly your basic “box step”, however.