Looking at the picture, I have to assume that she's moving backwards. Had she been moving forward on her previous steps, the skirt could not have gotten under her heel as it has.

Because she is, in all likelihood, moving backwards, the skirt will not be freed on her next step. Her ultimate predicament may not be so dire as falling down but dancing ON one's skirt, as Polished has pointed out, probably hinders one's execution.

I posted the picture simply to draw attention to the fact that, when dressing to go dancing, a lady should pay attention to the length and quality of her skirt.



jj

I learned that lesson. I have only fallen down once - doing the quickstep. When my heel got caught, I knew I was doomed so I let go of my partner, squatted right down and kind of rolled on to my rear end and then the momentum rolled me onto my back. My legs stayed together so there was no exposure and I was not hurt or even bruised. My partner, once he realized what was happening, jumped over me. Very careful of my dress length now, let me tell you.

She is not standing on the dress. If you look closely you will see that part of the dress is in front of her right heel. If she was standing on the dress the heel would appear in front of the dress. It appears that the dress has moved such that it is draped around her right foot and the right foot is standing on the floor.

What I can't figure out is, what step gets you into this position. They are almost hip to hip. From the dress it appears that the previous step was forward for the lady, but that is not certain because I can't think of a step that would put her in this position.

Curving feather to back feather , feather finish ( Prince of wales ) very common variation, am surprised he would be using it at a social ( needs space )

When the only thing that a student has learned is showcase routines then we see some crazy results when they go to social events.



jj

I believe if that is in his reportoire, then he should be able to execute changes as needed .

In a lecture in Melbourne Brian Watson Alan Fletcher and Anthony Hurley had a few words to say on dancing. Brian Watson said. He expects the lady to know exactly what she is doing. He doesn't believe in the push pull that most of us are taught. He indicates to his partner what is to be done by the shape of his body and does not try do her steps for her. He said he can then concentrate on his own steps. This is born out by another top teacher who only hold the girl hand very lightly between the finger and thumb.In other words if we open a door for a lady we dont expect to have to push her through do we. This is of course Latin but the same thing can apply to Modern also. In other words . If we lead lead lead then that is exactly what it will look like. Which brings us to . When not dancing with our partners do we try to do too much and look ridiculous in the process.
To get off that subject in the Joe Weider Muscle and Strength Magazine there is an article which says research has shown that women who begin weight bearimg excercises for the legs when they are young are less likely to to experience problems with osteoporosis when they get older. Michael Colgan Phl. This is another reason to dance.

That statement makes no sense at all.



jj

You know a fishtail gown is never a good idea when you are dancing, it is a lovely dress, nevertheless.

I have to say that I have never fallen while I was dancing but sometimes you can be surprised when your clothes do something unexpected.


JJ is making a good point. As a woman who is dancing you just have to pay 10x more attention to your clothes than in any other circumstance. You will be spinning, turning and moving at times faster then an aerobics class and expected to look well attired as you do. Wear a slip or else put on something pretty that still covers all your 'stuff' because at some point it is going to be showing, even if you don't realize that it is. I'm telling you I've seen some panties that shouldn't have seen the light of day as they snuck out from under some surprisingly long skirts. Also...please don't do control top panty hose. I am alays horrified when your skits flare up and I see that, maybe some pretty stockings or at least sheer to the waist.

Most of all, please if all else fails do WEAR underwear, I've seen the lack of that on the floor and it isn't a happy thing for anyone, no matter how hot you think you look!!

I suppose the couple in the picture their ears ae burning. But you will never, if you freeze frame any top dancer, see one set of hips going one way and the other about 35 degrees in another direction. They should at the very least be going in the same direction
Which brings us to. Should their hips be more paralel to the direction they are travelling . There's only one way to find out. Study a clip of our top dancers and see for yourself. Look at the lady in a Wave. Its worth looking at the running technique of a sprinter. You will see the amount of turn of the hips from the direction they are running is minimal. But the top does moves around the spine without twisting the spine. Keeping the spine driving forwards with the upper body rotating around their spine which is also their centre..
Lets say something nice about the picture. They are a good looking couple and I love the colour of the dress. The man's clothing is very professional. I do believe the ladies heel is standing on the dress with the majority of her weight on that foot.