How not to jump

[serg_juv]

Hi,

as a newbie dancer I have a great defect. My body goes up and down as I move my legs around the dance floor. I cannot stop myself from jumping all over the place, what's horrible of course, but I don't even realize about it (most of the time).

If you have any ideas about what can be my problem or how to try to fix it, it would be really great...

Any advice is welcome...

Thanks in advance

[SDsalsaguy]

Hi serg_juv, and welcome to the forums! :D

The first thing I'd look at is how you move and place your feet. One of the largest telltales of a beginning dancer is the degree to which they literally lift their feet off the ground and sling them around. In most ballroom dancing (with exceptions in certain dances) the ideal is to maintain foot pressure and contact through the moving foot – even as body weight is maintained over the standing leg.

[Vince A]

If I can add one more tidbit . . . it worked for me, it may work for you . . .

I had a very similar problem in one of my dances. Just couldn't shake it.
My Pro/coach suggested that I "picture a champagne glass, full of champagne, is balanced on top of my head as I dance." Then she said . . . "Don't spill any champagne." It worked immediately. I mean RIGHT NOW!

So, apply what SD suggested, and maybe keep this picture in mind as you dance. Sometimes, taking slightly longer strides will cure this too!

Also, keep in mind that certain dances do not require the lifting of the feet off of the ground. If you are doing this . . . check your footwork as SD says.

Let us know how you are doing?

[SDsalsaguy]

Follow up: As Vince and I have both said, you should not be raising your feet off the floor for most ballroom dances... so if you could tell us what dances, in particular, you are working on (and in which style) we might be able to provide even more specific suggestions.