We observe traffic rules as we drive down the street because we understand how they help us to maneuver and effectively and efficiently get from here to there. In our dancing the rules of traffic are equally useful.
In order to use your dancing, both on crowded social floors and competition floors we must understand both the rules of traffic and how to use our patterns to our advantage.
One of the most important and most basic rules is what is referred to as Line of Dance. This is simply dictating the direction of traffic, counter clockwise around the dance floor. This convention is important to create a predictability of traffic in all the moving dances. The moving dances are all of the Ballroom Dances, the Country Western Two-Step and Waltz, Argentine Tango, Samba and Paso Doble. If one is aware of the line of dance it is simple to merge and blend in with other dancers, even on the most crowded of floors.
Another helpful traffic rule is about the choices we make in patterns in order to most easily and comfortably follow our line of dance. This is often referred to as the rule of progression. The rule of progression tells us that when using patterns that turn less than 180 degrees, in order to continue moving along the line of dance, we must turn left as we are traveling toward the inside of the traffic or the “center” and turn right while traveling toward the outside of the room or “wall”. If we follow these simple rules we will find great ease in maneuvering around the room. When we ignore the rule of progression, we find ourselves having to force our patterns to turn more than is comfortable and often having to sacrifice our position, posture and comfort.
In our dance training, if we pay attention to the rules of traffic and the conventions of the dance floor, we are likely to have a much more fun and successful dance experience.
Mary Brennecke is a teacher at Dance Station. If you would like to take lessons with Mary or any of our teacher call 505-989-9788 to schedule.
