Controlling head motion

[Adwiz]

While doing some social dancing on the weekend, I had just finished a Quickstep when my wife (who sat that one out) remarked that I looked great except that my head moved too much. Very subtle movements, but noticeable by anyone really looking at me.

What happens is that the music is so awesome I can't help but get into it and that causes minor swaying or movement of my head as I dance, especially the Standard dances where this is much more of an issue because the head shouldn't move. I'm not always fully aware of it during the dance, but when she told me I immediately knew that I had been doing that.

I'm not entirely sure how to fix this. Does anyone here have suggestions for helping me keep me from swaying my head with the music yet looking relaxed and "lovin' it" at the same time?

[Genesius Redux]

I'm not entirely sure how to fix this. Does anyone here have suggestions for helping me keep me from swaying my head with the music yet looking relaxed and "lovin' it" at the same time?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just do a social Quickstep! :lol:

[ShyDancer]

I'm not entirely sure how to fix this. Does anyone here have suggestions for helping me keep me from swaying my head with the music yet looking relaxed and "lovin' it" at the same time?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just do a social Quickstep! :lol:

Me Too! I was forced into my first social quickstep last night and rather enjoyed it...
I didnt even think about my posture at all so Im not much help Im afraid.

I hope someone can help you out.

[etchuck]

Moving your head too much will change your weight balance and your frame, so I understand it also looks a bit weird and awkward. It could also change your frame connections just enough that your partner may not be able to follow you sometimes.

I wouldn't quite recommend this, but I sometimes just close my eyes and make sure my head is supported by my spinal column. ;)

I would be interested from the opinions of the more expert dancers.

[johnnywalker]

Adwiz

I have to confess being guilty of this at times. I am sometimes told that I look at my partner or otherwise am looking across her (over my right shoulder).
I tend to do this when dancing with my wife or with friends. However, when dancing with strangers I seem to be more mindful of my 'position.' I think I slacken with people I know.
I might have to buy a neck brace...or otherwise be more conscious of what i'm doing.

[Adwiz]

I might have to buy a neck brace...

:lol:

Send a photo of THAT!

[Larinda McRaven]

One of the things that you can do to help correct this is understanding that head movement itself is not the problem. It is how and where the head moves from that can make or break your dancing.

When you move from the front of your head (we will say nose for simplicity) your movement goes through the center of the partnership and distorts the balance (and asthetics)

If you feel that you line the center of your skull over your spine (think about that, most of us let our head hang in front of our spine) and then move your head only from the back or base of your skull, then you will realize that your head cannot (should not) move very much independant from your body's rotation.

It can move some, but the moment you feel your nose moving a lot you are now moving the front of your head (wrong) and not the back of your head (right).

food for thought
Larinda

[Adwiz]

the moment you feel your nose moving a lot you are now moving the front of your head (wrong) and not the back of your head (right).

That's a great piece of advice. Gives me a whole new perspective. Although I knew that instinctively, I never consciously thought about it. This gives me something to use to evaluate what I'm doing with my head as I dance.

Thank you!

[msc]

That is a good rule of thumb, I've never heard that before, but it makes a lot of physical sense. It should help when spotting in the Latin dances as well.