Have you had any ballet before learning your Partner Dance?

[Medira]

I danced ballet for 20 years before taking a two year break and starting up ballroom. I've managed to pick up the steps and patterns quickly, my posture hasn't been a problem and arm styling seems to come naturally...but OH MAN! I literally had to relearn how to walk. Heel-toe to go forward and actually lifting the toes before lifting the heel when walking backwards has been such a struggle! It's been four months now and, though it has improved, I still have a long way to go to fully retrain myself. I never would have thought that I'd have to learn how to walk again before being able to dance ballroom properly.

 

[sunderi]

I took ballet from the time I was 5 until I was 9. I don't remember very much of it, and I don't think it effected my dancing very much -- but I get asked all the time, "Did you do ballet when you were little?" so I guess some people can tell?