In the 1800s we had the Waltz. In the twentieth century we had the Tango. The 1930s gave rise to the Charleston, Swing dance, and through the years, more dances emerged like Fox Trot, the Mambo and Disco. All of these dance styles varied widely in steps and music, however, they were all danced with a partner. Whether it’s an action of courtship, a display of strength or just plain old fun, partner dancing has always been a social activity that provides a window into the socio-cultural mind-set of the times.

An example of this can be seen during the Roaring 20s, where Swing dance coincided with the rise of feminism. Women donned the flapper look sporting bobbed hair and short hemlines. Meanwhile, the Hustle’s rise in popularity in the 70s can be linked to the gay rights movement that propelled into the early 80s. Each decade displays a dance style that expresses the attitude of the times. By the time the 80s and 90s rolled around, dancing with a partner suddenly seemed old fashioned and it was all about the solo dancing. Whether it was the emergence of the digital age that led to a drop in human-to-human connections or people just got tired of dancing with themselves, the days of dancing solo are over and partner dancing is making a comeback.

With the recent fame of shows like Dancing with the Stars, dancing like Grandma and Grandpa suddenly is cool again (well, almost), and here is a quick guide to get your first step into the world of partner dance.

The Frame
The frame refers to the shape of the torso and arms during partner dancing, in relation to the steps, and to your partner. Each dance has its own specific frame and knowing a few pointers can go a long way. In Salsa dancing, the frame is quite relaxed, however tension is maintained in the fingertips. In Tango, the tension is maintained in the torso and chest, instead of in the arms and hands.

Tip: Keeping your elbows in front of your torso (never to your side) while dancing with a partner will help you maintain a strong frame.

The Lead/Follow
Generally, each partner dance has a leader and a follower. Each role must respect their boundaries, and followers must refrain from driving the moves. We often call this ‘back-leading’ and it’s not a good habit to develop. The key is proper communication. The leaders must send a clear signal and the followers must wait for that signal before moving.

Tip: Leaders should exaggerate their lead, not strengthen it, when trying to communicate a move to their partner. This will avoid twisted arms and pulled muscles.

The Timing
Each dance comes with its own timing rules. Both leaders and followers must first be on the same timing so that each step is smooth and unison. Some dances count their steps in a series of quick and slow steps. Generally, a ‘quick’ step represents one beat in the music, and a ‘slow’ step represents two or more beats to the music. Salsa dancing has a ‘quick-quick-slow’ rhythm where as Fox Trot has a ‘slow-slow-quick-quick’ rhythm.

Tip: Listening to the music is key in maintaining good timing and strong rhythm.

The Connection
The best dances are created when there is that special connection with your partner. This occurs when communication and awareness towards your partner is at its height. Making eye contact and being aware of your partner’s abilities are two ways you can strengthen your connection. We also have a tendency to feed off our partner’s energy, so dancing with a ‘feel good’ vibe goes along way towards achieving that connection.

Tip: Always start a dance like a blind date: start with the easy moves (the small talk) that will break the ice and get you feeling more comfortable with your partner. Then you can move into the more complicated steps once you develop a certain comfort level.

Take a class
Taking a dance class is a great way to learn how to partner dance properly. This will also boost your confidence on the dance floor. Many studios offer a free intro to Ballroom/Latin dancing once a month as well as social outings. These classes are also a perfect way to meet and mingle with others who love to dance. Check the local studio in your area for more details.

Tip: Gather a group of friends to make the dance class experience less nerve-racking.

Partner dancing can seem intimidating and complicated at first, but the benefits far outweigh the apprehension leading up to the first class, or the first step onto the dance floor. Partner dancing helps develop strong body awareness and balance. It improves patience and communication, and increases natural rhythm and confidence. The best part about partner dancing is that you get to achieve and celebrate these goals with someone else who loves dancing just as much as you. So get connected, get social, and get moving with partner!

Where to take a class:
Vancouver- Ceroc Vancouver
Toronto- City Dance Corps
Montreal- Salsa Rica

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