My daughter has been dancing all her life without a break. Ballroom is her final frontier and recently took her first private. It was only a 50 min. class and it left her sore. Huh....ballroom dancing leaving my daughter sore?
I have a newfounded respect for ballroom/latin dance.

I have also noticed that just in the few classes she has taken, she is more aware of her body. Her salsa styling has already improved and since she teaches a kids ballet class, as well as subs an adult salsa class....her teaching has also improved. She has been much clearer on explaining technique.

Whether it's salsa, swing or any other form of partnered dance...a good foundation in ballroom/latin should be a must....if you want to be a good partnered dancer.

"My daughter has been dancing all her life without a break. Ballroom is her final frontier and recently took her first private. It was only a 50 min. class and it left her sore. Huh....ballroom dancing leaving my daughter sore?"

Different physical tasks require different physical strengths.

Another issue to be aware of is that doing something the wrong way can be much harder on the body than doing it the right way. You didn't say where she feels sore, but one example comes to mind which needs special caution: Many less experienced lady dancers carry a large amount of arch in their lower back in an attempt to imitate what they think the professionals are doing to create a big shape. The situation is not helped by inexperienced male teachers who encourage this to get quick "results", or by inexperienced professional ladies who do it themselves, but it is neither proper technique nor healthy in the long run, and pain is one of the first indications that something is wrong. Proper shape has the curve distributed over the entire length of the body, and while challenging is not nearly as taxing as doing it the wrong way.

My wife and I are proud of the fact that, in our mid-50's, we remain in excellent physical condition. This is due to many good habits -- exercise -- both aerobic and fitness yoga, eating right, walking a lot, and dancing a lot. But we do feel the "soreness" from the ballroom lessons and practice sessions for a couple of reasons -- the resistance technique needed to really smooth out movements and, quite frankly, look good dancing ballroom, call for muscle tone and movement that is different from all other forms of exercise. Also, the framing of the arms and shoulders in proper ballroom style can also be taxing on those of us who would have never felt any difference 30 years ago.

anymouse, The "arching" is one of the first things the instructor corrected her on. The soreness is the lower back/hips..if I remember correctly and the upper leg muscles. I think your statement "Different physical tasks require different physical strengths." is probably the cause. None of her dancing has taught her to move in such a manner. It is one of the main reasons I got her into ballroom/latin. The instructor is very good (Current Blackpool champ.)and probably is helping her build the strength to isolate and move certain muscles required in ballroom/latin dance.
Oh, as dheun points out...some soreness in the arms and shoulders.

I've been dancing several years and I still find wonderful new things to be sore about, it just means I'm actually making progress.

My instructor always comes back from his competitions tragically sore. Its one of the exciting things about ballroom. It helps you ask more of your body every single time you dance.

Right now my abs are happily throbbing away after working on Spanish lines in Paso Doble. Every dance...different ways your muscles must respond. Its great cross training.

I do have a question. You seem as involved with dancing or more so than your daughter. Why aren't you dancing?

Added:
I just caught the "....more than your daughter." part. Everyone that knows her as a dancer says she seems to love it. Not having a memory before dance...it's probably a bit more complicated than simply loving it.
(It can also be complicated being a parent).

Original:
Belleofyourball, If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me that question, I would be a rich man.
The answer is twofold.

I started to bare my soul and give you the long version,...but I'm afraid it would be a topic of discussion and a bit controversial. Here is the short version....there is nothing that can be more enjoyable than what I am doing now as a spectator.

Can someone answer this question? Is ballroom cha-cha-cha on1? (the instructor counts 1-2-cha-cha-cha). In the salsa world, the concensus seems to be that cha-cha-cha is meant to be on2. I love ballroom cha-cha...it's like great jazz music.

"Can someone answer this question? Is ballroom cha-cha-cha on1? (the instructor counts 1-2-cha-cha-cha). In the salsa world, the concensus seems to be that cha-cha-cha is meant to be on2. I love ballroom cha-cha...it's like great jazz music."

The cha-cha-cha action is on 4-and-1 as in 2, 3, cha-cha-cha

1-2-cha-cha-cha is sometimes called "cowboy cha cha" and is danced in some country dance venues. It is also occasionally taught to beginner by some of the studios.

Thankyou anymouse. My daughter would have no problem with counting it 2-3-cha-cha-cha.

I have a question that is the flip side of Belle's. Why doesn't your daughter participate in this forum herself?

jj

jj Wrote:



jj,
My daughter not only is a gifted dancer, but she is very mature, intelligent and understanding. She has no interest in discussing her dance outside of her training world.
She doesn't even discuss it with her close, non-dancing, friends. You will just have to accept the fact that dance is her life.

If you are sincerely interested in who I am and my relationship with my daughter,...perhaps we will meet at a future ballroom event and I will take you to dinner and tell you everything you want to know, about us.
I have answered your question and will be more than happy to answer any others.

Now, though you are one of the most vocal members in this forum, I know very little about you. Are you male/female? Are you a pro./instructor? Are you a young/middle aged/senior adult? (I am male, 51 yrs old). How many yrs. have you been dancing and what dance forms have you studied?
Please excuse me if my questions are too personal. I am just curious.