I think it's essential to point out to Kaiara that there are no 'hand movements' in international waltz (or any other international standard ballroom dance), so she should buy american smooth DVDs if this is the style she likes.

To further show my ignorance, let me ask this--what is meant by "never break hold"?

I talked to the teacher I have taken classes with and she says her classes are mostly American. She just recently began to split her classes up differently and offer "seniors" classes--which my hubby may be willing to take--they are slower paced and she uses a mike turned up much louder than she does for the regular classes that tend to be filled with college students.

So, I'm understanding that most of what I know about Waltz is American style.

That does not mean I won't want to do International after I finally "get" the differences. Both look beautiful and fun.

You "never break hold," meaning you never lose connection or dance frame with the partner. So you are in ballroom position hold the entire duration of the dance. That is why it was mentioned that there are no "hand movements" in International style.

So "never break hold" means closed position all the time? Like for a box step?

So when the man leads the woman into an underarm turn-this would never be done in International?

You know what they say about "never say never."
But let me put it this way, I've never seen it done. The International has continuous turns, but they are natural spin turns and moves like the Whisk and chasse out of a promenade. The hold is never broken.
The underarm turn has been taught to me only as part of the American Smooth style; the same could be said for shadow twinkles and, possibly, grapevine steps. But the grapevine can be done without breaking ballroom position, and I actually like it better in that form.
But don't confuse holding position with just being able to do a box step. On the contrary, some of the most sweeping, elegant movements along LOD are done in ballroom position and International style.
Some of the ballroom historians who post on this site would know a lot more about it than I would, but I venture to guess that Fred Astaire had a lot to do with making American style well known as a more free-wheeling, open style -- and a place for him to spin and turn his partners magnificently -- knowing all along he could display great skill at the discipline and posture of International style as an overall part of his repetoire.

Kaiara, some of your confusion may come from watching "Dancing With The Stars," in which the International roster of dance names is used (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Fox Trot, and Quickstep) but the actual performances use open moves (e.g. Hough and Castroneves finishing their Quickstep with underarm turns).

If you don't watch DWTS then good for you; don't start.

jj

Must you suck the fun out of everything? Dancing with the Stars is a fun show, not everyone is as stuck in the "correct style" mud as you are. In our bronze international class, our instructor( a Canadian champion) throws in a few American steps (underarm turns often) just for the fun of it, to use when we are dancing socially. We are well aware of the difference in the two styles but when dancing for pure enjoyment, (yes, some people still do that) we mix it up a bit.

Sounds as though your instructor may be vying for a spot on DWTS, eh?



jj

Could very well be. I'm sure the money is better than what she makes teaching the box step to wannabe DWTS contestants five nights a week.

Ah, well, about 5 years ago I got rid of television as a major distraction from graduate school and as I almost never miss it (my adult kids introduce me to DVD versions of their favorite shows after each season comes out on disk and save me a lot of wasted time) I've never felt the urge to go back. Honestly, even the best stuff I've seen is still a waste of time that could be better put to my hubby, studies, pleasure reading, and dance.

So I have no clue what Dancing with the Stars is like.

However, I always loved watching Fred Astaire. ssssmmmoooottthh!