| Balance is, without a doubt, a prerequisite to good | | | | from one leg to the other. |
| dancing. Therefore, one of the major benefits of | | | | WALKING EXERCISE 2 |
| dancing is the development of good balance and | | | | Now we want you to try the same walking |
| poise. | | | | exercise with a little spring. |
| So, how do you go about developing the elusive | | | | Stand again with your weight on the right foot |
| quality of balance? You start by understanding the | | | | with your left foot free. To start the walk, |
| three following elements and practice a few | | | | compress your right leg a little by pressing |
| simple exercises to develop them: | | | | downwards with your body, (allow the knee to |
| | | | flex some), then spring forward off of your right |
| 1. The Supporting Leg | | | | foot. Concentrate on your right leg until the |
| 2. Vertical Alignment | | | | weight is transferred to the other leg. |
| 3. Horizontal alignment | | | | Repeat the same process on the left leg. |
| In this article we will be providing you with an | | | | Compress the left leg and spring forward from |
| easy exercise to develop your first element. An | | | | the left foot, concentrating on the left leg until the |
| awareness of your supporting leg. | | | | weight is transferred. |
| The First Element - "The Supporting Leg" | | | | Keep moving forward repeating this process of |
| (Print this Tip so you can try this little walking | | | | walking and concentrating on the supporting leg. |
| exercise as you read it). | | | | What did you notice - it felt more powerful didn't |
| WALKING EXERCISE 1 | | | | it? With a little practice you will discover two |
| Stand in a hallway or any other area where you | | | | major things. Your walk becomes stronger and |
| can take several walking steps. | | | | you are able to arrive on the other leg in |
| Stand with your weight on your right foot with | | | | complete balance and control ready for the next |
| your left foot free. Take your first step, | | | | move. |
| concentrating on your left foot as it moves | | | | For better dancing, pay more attention to your |
| forward. As you transfer weight, your right foot | | | | source of power and balance - your supporting |
| becomes your free foot. This time concentrate | | | | leg. |
| on your right foot as it moves forward. | | | | Happy Dancing, Blanche & Emilio |
| Keep moving forward repeating this process of | | | | Next Issue: (Part 2 of 3) THE SECOND ELEMENT |
| walking and concentrating on the free leg. | | | | - "VERTICAL ALIGNMENT" |
| What did you notice - It felt normal didn't it? Well | | | | The vertical alignment will allow you to stay on |
| that is generally the way people walk; | | | | your toes in perfect balance and master the rise |
| concentrating on the free foot as they move | | | | and fall in dances like the Waltz and Foxtrot. |