Lets get into poise for the man. That is the head is in line with the shoulders, The shoulders with the hips and the feet at the end of a straight line to the feet. If the poise is not correct, nothing that comes after will be correct. Think of a Swan or a Duck swimming. The feet under the water might be going at a 100 kicks a minute. But above the water the body is motionless and completely carried by the feet. Perfect balance. Any suggestions ?.

Poise is an intangible. Posture is not. Can we make a distinction here? Owen

Owen. Yes. Posture would be the correct the name i should have used. Maybe somebody out there might like to explain where the term poise can be used when it relates to ballroom dancing.

I'd like to pipe in on poise. In Rhythm dances and most notably to me, Cha Cha and Rumba, the man and woman should keep forward poise. That is, both should carry their weight on the balls of their feet at all times, helping to cause the connection between the partners to be positive, or a slight push against each other, almost all the time. I believe that only directional change from stepping forward (for the lead) to stopping or stepping backward should produce a momentary negative, or pulling, connection. And I emphasize the term "momentary". Even when the lead is stepping backward as in triple progressives, the couple should still maintain a positive, or pushing connection.

I have only been dancing about a year, so I could have some detail wrong in my explanation of poise here. Anyone wishing to add or correct what I have said is welcome to, I still have lots to learn.

Indy Spinner. Yes I agree with that. Even if the only connection is between the mans and ladies hand there must not be a limp arm. Also worth mentioning is if you are wearing Cuban Heels your weight will be forward. In class we were once given an excercise where we leaned against each other palm to palm to show how easy it is to become one.
To get back to the other argument. I have the correct posture and I am poised to go.
I'm beginning to think there are only a few who are intested in Latin on this site. At the moment me and you.