| So, how do you go about developing the elusive | | | | feet together, ankles touching and toes a little |
| quality of balance? As mentioned in our previous | | | | apart at a 45 degrees angle. |
| article "The First Element - The Supporting Leg", | | | | Now, keeping your knees together bring them |
| you start by understanding the three following | | | | forward so they are aligned vertically on top of |
| elements and practice a few simple exercises to | | | | your big toes. |
| develop them: | | | | Bring your hips forward to vertically align with |
| - The Supporting Leg | | | | your knees and the toes or balls of feet. |
| - Vertical Alignment | | | | Bring your shoulders forward so they are aligned |
| - Horizontal Alignment | | | | with your hips, knees and balls of feet. If you |
| In this article we will be providing you with an | | | | point your arms straight down you should see in |
| easy exercise to develop your second element. | | | | the mirror, that your shoulders, hips, knees and |
| An awareness of your Vertical Alignment. | | | | balls of feet follow a straight vertical line. |
| THE SECOND ELEMENT - "VERTICAL | | | | Maintaining this alignment slowly put pressure on |
| ALIGNMENT" Refers to the vertical alignment of | | | | the balls of your feet and lift the heels off the |
| the three main body blocks: | | | | floor (keep ankles touching). You should be able to |
| | | | go up and down on your toes without falling |
| 1. Knees | | | | backward or forward. |
| 2. Hips | | | | With a little practice you will be able to stay on |
| 3. Shoulders | | | | your toes in perfect balance. You will be on your |
| PRINT THIS PAGE AND TRY THE FOLLOWING | | | | way to mastering the rise and fall of the smooth |
| EXERCISE | | | | dances such as Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep. You |
| Stand in front of a full body mirror and turn | | | | will also achieve better balance and coordination |
| sideways so that you are looking at the mirror | | | | during many everyday activities. |
| over either your left or right shoulder. Bring your | | | | |