Hi Don. Thanks for your advice, and I will give it some thought. I am doing International Rumba, and it looks like your message applies to this. I'd love to get the explanation of the exercise for hip isolation, which I'm also finding challenging. No problem keeping the thighs together, but keeping the shoulders square to the front is difficult.

Excercise to improve a hip movement. Since being taught the following I have regularly included this in my warm up . And that is, on your solo Rumba Walks all the way around the ballroom. Have your two arms extended foreward at shoulder level. Finger tips square to each other. If you find that on any part of your walks that the fingers are not level than you will be losing part of your hip action. Another way is to fold your arms across your chest keeping your shoulders square to the front. To add to this , a slight pull back of the shoulder on each walk will give more of a 3D look than looking like a cardboard cut out. I hope this helps, and as Karen Hardy said "Several years of practice is now needed". I'm On five. Also keep in mind that from the front only one leg can be seen at a time, and keep your already high instep, as you come into a neutral position on the count of and. With your feet now together and level, your knee will be foreward of your body. If your knee is not foreward then your feet are wrong. If you want to look better than your friends get that high instep. All of the above goes for the man also.

Hi Don,
You have me puzzled. You are always pointing out attention to detail in your dance postings and yet you insist on writing FOREward instead of FORward. I know it is not a case of not knowing how to spell the word so why do you do it? What is it I'm not seeing or understanding?

lluv2dance. Did you ever hear about George Bernard Shaw's symphonic spelling. Thats more my way. Or Humpty Dumpty, man should rule the words and not the words rule the man. As long as it is understood what does it matter.

Hi Don,
Thanks for your answer. I was just curious to know why. You always answer a posting with such detail and I couldn't for the life of me understand your spelling. I suppose someone is now going to answer this with a full symphonic spelling.

lluv2dance. I always have it in mind that some people reading these comments are beginners and some live overseas and to them English could be a foreign language.Take for instance Waltz . Step one and beat one is ok . Rise at the end of one, fine. Now go to the Foxtrot. Rise at the end of one, thats the step. The rise with the music is on the end of beat two. This for a beginner needs to be explained along with the correct use of the feet and ankles and of course the knees towards your partner.

Hi Don: Thanks for the detailed advice. Many of the students in my studio are using a light plastic rod positioned at the right level to keep the shoulders level (most are doing Standard). However, the method you've given me uses the same idea without having to use the rod.

I can certainly relate to having to get around the cardboard cutout look. I've often thought that when viewing myself in the mirrors.

One thing I think I should mention here is that I've found that doing American Rhythm while learning Latin has been undermining the Latin. I started off doing American Rhythm, but Latin is much more commonly taught here in Soeul, and besides I fell in love with International Rumba. My instructor complains that I have too much of a bouncy look when I've been doing American Rhythm.

Regards, Chantal

Chantal. If you can try to watch a top professional on a DVD or tape. I would recomend The 203 World Super Stars Dance Festival Latin which is currently available on DVD. The couple I always look at is Paul Killick and his partner Hanna, mainly because they do more basics in their Rumba demonstration than the other five. See if you like the use of arms on an Alamana or Spot Turns, if so why not copy, maybe adding a bit of yourself there. Look closly at the different timing used on their Hip Twist and into the Fan Position. It sounds as if you are in a very good studio. best Wishes Don

Hi Don: Thanks for the tip. As you may know, there's a charming video clip of Paul and Hanna doing a cha cha cha demo on the DanceUniverse website. I should be able to get the DVD you've mentioned through them.

I also do Jive as well as Rumba. Lately I've been skipping with a jump rope to improve my Jive action. I keep my arms close to my sides and keep my feet closed while doing it. I was taught not to bounce while learning American Triple-Step Swing,and now have to get that bounce back again which has been frustrating. Using the jump rope in the manner I've described makes a decent jive active feel more natural.

Sincerely, Chantal

Chantal. It was pointed out by Karen Hardy, former Professional Latin Champion that in the Jive the knees are never straight. Denise Weavers also points out that the knees are used like a pushbike pump in the jive. Both of these are from the international style of dancing. If you do find a DVD and are mystified by what you see in the Jive, there are two types of Jive both acceptable in competition. In one you will see the knees being lifted much higher and the feet flicked towards the floor. In the other we have a swinging type chasse, this moves a little more. Karen Hardy also said that the Swing Jive it is much harder to keep in time if the music is fast. And went on to suggest that the way to go was Flick Jive and not Swing . I am writting this because if you are like me, the first time I saw a demonstration by an international couple I didn't see anything I could identify with. But you will see for yourself. Happy Jiving.