Hi, I'm a new dancer and user who is becoming passionate about Ballroom Dancing. I love spinning and would love to master the Viennese Waltz. I'm practicing for a New Year's Eve dinner and dance, and would like to know if there's anything I can do, in addition to just practicing spinning, that will help me to not get dizzy. Any pointers are welcome - Thanks.

Dancing4HIM

This topic has come up in the past, because dizziness with the VW is an issue for a lot of people. There were some great suggestions the last time, so you can count on some good ones this time as well. I would just say to continue practicing your spotting methods, learn a few steps (like points to the side and back) that break you from the spinning pattern when you need that break, and also make sure you are moving along the LOD and not getting caught seemingly spinning around in one general spot. When you keep moving with the dance, it does help cut down a bit on the dizziness. This is a tough dance, and not just because you can get disoriented with the turning motions.

dheun,

I was delighted to get such a prompt response! Thank you. I'll con't practicing my spins as well as try to learn some new steps to break up the spinning as you suggested. By the way, I know this is an elementary question from a beginner, but what do you mean by practicing my spotting methods? Do you mean focus on something specific, like my arm or his shoulder? Don't laugh :) but please explain. Hopefully, I can take a VW class soon.
Dancing....

Dancing4HIM. If doing the Basic V. Waltz makes you dizzy then don't even think about the Fleckerl's.
Understand this well. You are in normal dance hold and I take it you are looking to your left. On a Natural Turn on the second bar that is 2 2 3 having danced 1 2 3. Where are you looking. If you kept your head still you will be looking against the LOD. And then on the next 1 2 3. If you have let your head stay in its one position you will be looking with the LOD. If you have any trouble with this put a boot lace around your left shoulder and grip the end with your teeth . That will keep your head in one place in relation to your body..
The position of the head can be a major factor in dizziness.
Spotting is mainly for Latin. If you go to the Learning Centre and then Spins and Turns you will see a moving clip of a Spin with spotting.
Keep your head still in the V Waltz.
I just realizes you are a girl. On a Natural on 1 2 3 you will be looking to your left. Keep your head still and let it turn with your body. Even on beat three with your feet together you should still be looking to your left against the LOD. As I said to prove this stick a bootlace between your teeth. Good Luck

Spotting is basically picking a place on the wall, and looking back to the same spot every time you spin. (Most applicable to Latin) If you are traveling, then select the spot and keep your eyes on the same horizontal line as you move (Most applicable to Smooth). Do NOT look at your partner or your arm, you'll barf and you won't be in proper position.

Its like when you are car sick and you look at the horizon and Polished is right, if you are bobbing your head you are going to get sick. It's basically the fluid in your ears...keep it from sloshing around, which is actually what spotting is supposed to help you do.

Polished is correct about the spotting being more prevalent in Latin dances. But you should keep your attention on something other than your partner's face or shoulders during VW. Something behind him, as belleofyourball suggests. The points are a good way to stop the rotation -- man points his foot to a side, lady points her foot behind her, while looking back at that foot. You do it in rhythm to the song and dance, and do a series of them, but keep moving in some fashion. They are actually nicer and more elegant in the Waltz. The VW can tend to be a little fast and can make those moves seem rushed -- especially if the man is not doing with nice lines to keep it looking smooth and elegant.
Good luck with the VW, it remains one of my struggles after all these years. But it is fun, and no one says you have to do it for an entire song.

If you Google Viennese Waltz Demo Timing Mirko and Alissia. You will notice that the heads are not moving but stay in one position in relation to the body. You will notice that the body either face or back the wall and the steps are not rotary which would have them either facing or backing the LOD. Unless you are really serious don't touch the Fleckerl's. And whatever you do don't look at the floor unless you have taken motion sickness tablets. Good Luck

Greetings,and a happy new year to all, based on my experience re dizziness caused by spins and pivoting action, we usually keep our head strongly to the left both man and lady. its normal that we get dizzy if we rotate, the key is practice, also it will fix the balance if you keep your head left.

Dennis. I'm glad that you brought this to our attention . That is keeping the head to the left. Which is not only on Spins but almost all of the time in the Standard Style of Dancing.
An exercise to do to prove a point is standing feet slightly apart arms by the side. Hold a weight in each hand, a couple of bottles will do. look to your left as in ballroom position and rotate the body as far as it will go to the left. You are looking behind you diag to the centre. Rotate the same to the right. You will only be looking Diag to wall against the LOD. You will not be looking diag to centre against the LOD unless you deliberatly allow your head to turn which is dead wrong. The mistake that gets made is turning the body without the head going with it. Next time you are out see how many guys start off looking to their left and after only three steps of a Natural have allowed their body to turn under their head and are now looking in the wrong direction. This also happens on Spinning.
I will add this. My experience in teaching a Double Reverse Spin is for both the lady and the gent to look hard to their left. And when they finish, and hopefully lower, not to be looking at each other. It does help that particular movement Why the bit about the head isn't taught in the very beginning I'll never know.