Hi LisaMarie,

I love to read your posts because it seems like you are going through the same things I am....

I have only been taking lessons for a year, and certainly there are so many instructors and wonderful dancers on this site who can help you much better than I. But for what it's worth, I had a smooth lesson today, and I was losing my balance from time to time. My instructor told me that whenever it happened, I was not getting my body weight solidly over my foot before I moved to the next step. It's that old anticipation thing, being too much in a hurry to go to the step after the one I am executing. Then my upper body would move to try to catch up to my lower half, and I lost balance.

But this wouldn't seem to be your problem if you are not having any trouble with balance in other shoes.

I was given this excercice which is only two steps. I consider it to be one of the most important thing I was ever told. It doesn't matter which style of dancing you are doing. Where I learnt this was in a Latin Class. This is how it was explained. Standing two paces in front of a chair. I was told to take a step on my left foot and step on my right foot and sit down which I did as a normal person would. And that was on the second step I had already turned. As a dancer we don't do it that way. As a dancer we step left then right and then turn at the end of the second step giving it an and count. In Latin the turn over the right foot will be with the whole of the foot in contact with the floor. Try it now on a Spot Turn. Or after a Hip Twist going to the Fan position on beat three. And again in the Hockey Stick on step five which is again beat three. If your not into Latin just practice a step forward, followed by another step and then turn only after the step is in place Then freeze, or as they say in gymnastics Stick it. Do it on both sides. You probably never saw the original Japanese film "Shall we Dance " If you did you might remember the actor who played the comedy roll practicing these sharp turns in the office passage way .Good Luck

Thank You so much to everyone that has responded to my post. I practiced my showcase number today and paid close attention to what I was doing with my feet and body. I practiced in both bare feet and the shoes that I will be wearing in the showcase. I did much better without the shoes...........I tried on a couple of my other ballroom shoes and paid attention to how I felt in them........which is wobbly.......I think I just don't yet feel secure and supported in ballroom shoes. My shoes do have ankle straps.

By reading the posts, my attention was brought to some other issues with my dancing and balance problems. I do notice that I don't always work form my core........sometimes it is my feet that are trying to do all the work. I also noticed that I don't put my weight fully over my foot. These are all things my teacher has mentioned to me........but usually during a lesson, there is SOOOOOO much information given that I don't recall all of it. So by reading the posts and then working through my dance today.....I think I have been able to figure out why I'm having these balance issues. I think I noticed them more in this showcase dance because much of the dance is performed out of the closed postition. I will be trying to be more aware of where my weight is and using my core instead of worrying about my feet. I will also be trying the suggested exercise. Thank you all!

Singndance.........it's good to know there are other new dancers out there that share the same issues and frustrations. Sometimes I think I'm the only one and that my instructor must think I'm hopeless!

I also had balance problems and always felt my shoes had something to do with it... when I switched to 3" heels (from 2"), my balance improved quite a bit, especially when doing turns (I think I am more "on top of my leg" with the higher heels). I changed brands too so the new shoes may have been more balanced.

Also, make sure you're not collapsing your chest when doing challenging moves. Correcting that problem had a big impact on my balance!

Good luck!

Serendipity, thank you so much for suggesting this exercise. I tried this and I think it will help!

5lisamarie.There is a lot more that can be done.To dance from foot to foot is most important. But if we are going to simulate that action with a practice piece we need to be sure that we do it correctly. If this is a Waltz and we practice just Change Steps. Right foot forward. Left foot under the body. Can you take the left foot off the floor. If you can you have transfered your weight correctly. But is there something missing. If you have raised your left foot with the right knee still straight . Thats not how we dance. The knee needs to be flexed and would you believe if you were a top dancer it would be at an angle of 45 degrees. Then at the end of step one you would commence to rise as your left foot goes to the side on the toe for step two. And just to make life harder, as the lady going backwards on step one with the LF she still bends the knee after arriving but does not have foot rise NFR If she does she will beat the man and take his centre away, especiall if this is the first three of a Natural. All of the above just to say make your practice steps exactly as you need to when dancing. You will find that creating a low centre of gravity does helps.That's what bending the knee does. Put a DVD in slow motion or frame by frame. You will be amazed how low to the floor these top dancers go. And keep dancing from foot to foot, dont get stuck in the middle. I hope this helps.Good Luck

Serendipity,

Thank you......it helps very much.....also, I switched shoes. I could not believe the difference.......the first shoes I was going to wear were beautiful, sexy, strappy open toe shoes........so perfect for my costume..........but I felt so wobbly....so I lucked into a pair of closed toe ballrooms shoes ($35...lucky me!) on clearance from a local ballet shop........WOW.......what a difference.....I put them on and danced my entire routine without losing my balance once! I really want to wear the sexy shoes.........but I won't look so sexy stumbling through my routine, will I!!!

I DO need to work on the things you suggest. I don't always shift my weight fully........I am trying to get better at that.........trying some of your suggested drills............I think they will help....Thank YOU.

It is unfortunate that Alex Moore in the technique book didn't go into this a bit more. That we turn at the end of a step and not into it. Probably because if you look at any of the charts in the book it can be seen that a turn takes place at the end of the step. In this particular case we are talking on the first step into a Natural or Reverse Turn in the Waltz with the drive off the supporting foot which should send your weight onto the now supporting foot. Practicing walks forward, all heel leads one after the other down the floor will never be a waste of time. Good Luck.
A true story. The teacher overheard a girl saying She's a show off, all ways going up and down the floor any time she had a minute to spare. The teacher turned and said That girl will be winning competitions whilst you are standing still. Would you believe the young lady who walked the floor was placed in the top ten at this years Blackpool Professionally.

Most people wear closed shoes for ballroom tango anyway, so they won't look odd in the showcase. Much more important to dance well!

The best exercise I've found for strengthening the feet is very slow toe raises. Up on a slow count of 8, hold for 8, lower for 8. It's the slow lowering that really works the foot, so don't let gravity help you on that part.

Good luck with the showcase!

Thank You Ellen..............I will be trying out your suggested exercises as soon as I'm finished typing this reply!