In interesting point has risen here. Which is can older stiffer people manage the use of the hips. Or the body position in that elusive ghastly CBMP. We have double trouble here. To tell a person to use exercise to get more mobile, some could finish getting back troubles. Yet on the floor an adjudicator will not look twice at a couple who are only half performing. I suppose a clever teacher might find a way around this. Some do in Latin where the choreography is designed to hide the faults. In many cases this is just a Rumba walk. They don't do any, spending a minute and a half going from one shape to another completely devoid of any movement of the hips. On with the Motley.

Hi luvlatin
You mentioned judges in your comment, so i guess you're referring to aspiring competitve dancers. you're right in saying that exercises to improve mobility of the trunk (turning etc) can be a problem for the back. However, competitive dancers have presumably been dancing to some level for a few years, and this might give them reasonable mobility to start from. I would recommend getting advice from a good physiotherapist. I'm blessed with very good flexibilty, but on the odd occasion have injured my back (doing other things) and have found to my delight that dancing, with its combination of movement and good posture, has considerably helped my recovery. So i would imagine that with some care, and being certain of maintaining good posture at all times, it must be possible to improve mobility safely. Also, remember that strong abdominal muscles are a pre-requisite for good back care.

Phil. I'll rewrite my posting. I knew what I was thinking but didn't get it down on paper. An older person just starting to dance seriously may never get the amount of turn that there should be on the third step of the Feather Step. Which is CBMP it is like turning ones self inside out.Having learnt something I alway check out other dancers. I find that the more matured dancers get nowhere near to the correct position when stepping outside their partner. A Chinese friend of mine a lady , over 50's. Excellent shape and has been dancing seriously for two years. That is two lessons per week without fail. She asked me if Richard had ever put me into CBMP by turning my body whilst I was in my version of CBMP. Yes I said on many occasions. She said I asked Richard how on earth do I get into that position, I can only turn so far and I lock up. The answer was keep trying. To get a good Reverse Turn that third step is most important. If that step is done incorrectly you will not keep the correct body contact and the rest of the Reverse Turn will be spent trying to recover your correct shape which will not be found untill the Three Step. I have always thought that on an instruction DVD it would be an advantage to show some overhead shots. I have one of the current Amateur Champions which shows from above how elliptical the shape can be instead of that very square cardboard cutout look which is often seen. From above as long as ordinary clothing is worn, it should be possible to see CBMP in action.