Ballroom Dancing - The International Standards

Ballroom Dancing describes partner dances, performed socially or competitively, with prescribed specific movements. It evokes a sense of mystique and elegance if performed socially and of energy and passion when performed competitively.

The word "ball" in Ballroom Dancing comes from not the child's toy but from the Latin word "ballare" meaning to dance. It forms the bases for the words ballet (a dance,) ballerina (a dancer) and ballroom (a room for dancing). Ballroom Dancing was very popular among the English upper class during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where it referred to almost any type of recreation dancing. By the early 20th century, as it caught the interest of the working class, the term become narrower in scope, with many of the dances dropping out of favour as being 'historical' or 'folk' dances.

By the early 1920's a number of dance societies in both England and America began to offer regulated competitive Ballroom Dancing. They promoted a number of standard dances, with some basic movements that dancers could confidently perform with any partner they might meet. The highly influential Imperial Society of Dance Teachers (later, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) formed a Ballroom Branch which was instrumental in developing standard dancing styles, which later formed the basis for the International dance standards.

Currently, the term Ballroom Dancing refers to the International Standard dances, which are currently regulated by the WDC (World Dance Council). The International standard comprises the following five dances: the Modern Waltz (also known as the 'slow' or the 'English' waltz); the Viennese Waltz; the Slow Foxtrot; the Tango; the Quickstep.

Sometimes, the term Ballroom Dancing also includes the International Latin style dances, which include: the Samba; the Rumba; the Paso Doble; the Cha-Cha; the Jive.

Both, Modern Ballroom and Latin American Ballroom, dancing styles are well standardized for teaching purposes with a set, internationally recognized vocabulary, technique, rhythm and tempo. The dancing postures for International Latin style varies from dance to dance: some dances require using closed hold, some require partners holding each other with only one hand, few dances require a line of dance and a number of dances have the routines performed on pretty much a single spot.

For the International standard Ballroom dances, the posture requirement is a closed hold (5 points of contact between dancers) during varied tempo (beats per minute) and rhythm (structure). With a set line of dance, this posture provides a very elegant look as the couple floats across the dance floor.

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How to Maintain Emotional Intelligence and Positive Thinking in the Ballet World

Deborah sets forth with help for you, the would-be ballerina or male ballet dancer, to gain more understanding and control over the demanding world you live in.

Any student of music, writing, and performing of any kind, needs to know some survival techniques to maintain emotional intelligence, and stick with positive thinking. Every new class, with new exams, and fierce competitions, can instigate implosions of self-doubts. How do you take command of your mental and emotional space before that important event? Or so you can sleep well every night?

Deborah designed this book so that teens and pre-teens could discover that there is a way to begin a dialogue about self-sabotaging beliefs and thoughts that so influence their patterns of behavior and success. This 48 page book introduces eight teens with common problems and challenges such as how to take charge of your feelings and how to perform like a pro in the dance studio or anywhere and everywhere. You will learn techniques such as Mental Rehearsing, Creating a Feeling, Refocusing and a very powerful Acting as If. These fun (but seriously amazing) activities will help to train your brain - whether a teen or an adult late starter in ballet - towards success.

As a ballet teacher, I've always recommended to students to look outside the dance classes for ways to help manage their frustrations, fears and struggles with the competitive and perfectionist aspects of the performing arts. I think that private and independent study is best for people - contemplation with direction, and applying uplifting creative techniques to maintain a positive perspective, in one's own way.

That in itself is the challenge - finding one's own way. "Train Your Brain: A Teen's Guide To Well Being" is a wonderful first step on that path.

Click here and find out how a would-be ballerina and men in ballet get exactly the right fit in ballet shoes and pointe shoes, prevent dance injuries, get The Perfect Pointe Book, The Ballet Bible, and Deborah Vogel's products on injury prevention and functional anatomy. Dianne M. Buxton trained at The National Ballet School of Canada, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and Toronto Dance Theater.

Why Does It Take Two to Tango? A Book Review Tango Instructural Dance Book

Do you ever remember your folks or grandparents telling you; "it takes two to tango," meaning that there must be more to the story and more fault of the circumstance to spread around. Often, it was a notification that they were not buying the total story and that the blame ought to be spread around a little bit more. Well, the other day, I got thrown out of McDonalds; why you ask?

Well for food-fighting, but I swear that the guy threw nothing back at me, indeed, the manager did not buy it, and threw us both out. Boy was that guy mad at me, I started and he never threw anything back at me, but the manager throws us both out and said; "It takes two to tango!"

Indeed, it usually takes two to tango, but in reality it was not a food-fight anyway, as the gentleman was simply reading his newspaper and never responded. Now that is a funny true story, but have you ever wondered why it takes two to tango? Let me recommend a book that is quite good and will completely clear this up for you:

"Gotta Tango" by Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart - 2004

This is a really cool book which will teach you dance the Tango in true Argentina style and it comes with a music DVD with music to assist you in feeling the moment. The book is full of subtle tricks to create passion, emotion, and sexy alluring moves. You will be blown away as to just how good you can get using this book. Are you looking for pure romance and learning expert style in the Tango? Look no further, this is it.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

Improve Your Ballet - The Ballet Bible Review

Becoming a ballet dancer can be difficult. It is not something that can be learned overnight, nor can it be mastered in a few months. Taking ballet classes is imperative to learn the proper techniques necessary to become a truly magical ballet dancer whose every move and step personify grace and
beauty.

As a resource for beginning through advanced ballet students, The Complete Ballet Bible Package written by Anita Leembruggen, reinforces what students learn in class. It's like having your own private tutor at home.

Broken into three components, ebook, audio and ballet dance videos, these user friendly formats allow you to navigate through every ballet exercise with ease.

Part 1 - titled "The 3 Simple Rules of a Prima Ballerina" is a pdf ebook with over 200 pages of text and detailed pictures. This guide not only shows you how to do a movement or gesture correctly, but shows you how most dancers do it incorrectly, and tells you WHY. No other book I have ever read shows you this. I feel this is a fundamental aspect to learning.

Part 2 - titled "Audio Terms and Definitions" is a audio software package that allows you to find any ballet term and learn its meaning. For each exercise, step, position, and/or pose, a simple point and click allows you to do any of the following: Scroll through the whole list of terms. Find specific terms. Learn the correct French accents for specific terms. Click a button to hear each term sounded out for you with clear and concise definitions and a visible pronunciation guide.

Part 3 - titled "Video Demonstrations" is a collection of over 60 videos on ballet technique. If you are a visual learner like myself this is a real benefit. Being able to watch how to correctly perform a Ballonce or Entrachat Quatre whenever you like, and as many times as you like, is an excellent method to reinforce proper technique.

All in all the The Complete Ballet Bible Package is unlike anything else I could find on the market. It is a flexible online teaching tool that provides you with a visual model of ballet steps, exercises, and principles typically taught only in an educational setting.

Did you know that 95% of people who start ballet classes will fail miserably... here's how you can succeed with the Ballet Bible ... click here

You Can Dance If You Want To - But This is a Book Review

So, you want to be a dancer do you? Wow, there is so much you must know to perform with the best, and only you will know if you are up for the test. Maybe you could use some inspiration that might help you achieve your dancing goals and dreams. If so, I'd sure like to recommend a very good book to you, one that opened my eyes to the world of dance like no other book has before:

"Dancing in the Light" by Shirley McClaine; Bantam Books, New York, NY; 1985.

Feel the patterns of organic energy dancing to enlightenment, choose a style and let yourself go, do it for you and no one else. Master the art of dance, by dancing with the creator, dance in the center and not the fringe, feel the light, feel what is right, let emotion and mind flow through you and create. Yes, this is a wonderful book for the dancer in you. Allowing you to effortlessly feel the raw emotion and energy of all that is, this is a book you cannot put down, except when you dance.

Shirley McClaine captures your imagination and respect, shows you how to dance on stage in the light, without considering the crowds or the fact they are even there at all. On broadway or for film Shirley McClaine brings light to reason and dance to the stage, join her in this journey of feeling and intrigue in Dancing in the Light. Boy, I sure recommend this book to anyone interested in dance, it's a must read.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

The Ballet Bible

When I first purchased this book I thought that it would be something fun to share with my students. I collect all things related to dance, knicknacks, posters, DVDs...hence books. When I stumbled upon the ebook online I thought at the very most that it would be a nice addition to my collection of souvenirs. I am a dance teacher and volunteer with work at a dance competition and I am always looking for things about the 'world of dance', I just love anything to do with dancing. I am a very big fan of So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. I can't wait for them to start again.

So when I actually had the opportunity to read the Ballet Bible I was presently suprised! It surpassed my expectations (which hadn't been very high considering the sales pitch). I had actually found a true gem, an ebook about ballet with solid, valid teaching techniques. The book has over 200 pages of VALID information - SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Many of the students I teach are heavily into dance competitions such as American Dance Awards, Starpower, Headliners and all the other big ones that I'm sure many of you are aware of. So they are not always interested in how to become a ballerina, but I always try to engrain in them during their dance training that it isn't about how to become a prima ballerina that is important. It is the solid foundations of ballet training that support everything and anything they do related to dance. Ballet training is what truly separates the great dancers from the weak or mediocre. So they roll their eyes at me after one of my lectures and begrudgingly trek upstairs to the ballet room. Well there is one problem - finances. It is true that not all of my students can afford the extra classes that we offer at our school and of course fall short in their training. I must admit, although it is unfortunate, that these particular students don't always do as well when it comes time for dance competition season. Such a shame.

Well now we have - The Ballet Bible! Although you cannot of course compare this to an actual class it is a great study guide for those who want to put in some extra hours at home. If you can only afford one class a week but want to read up on some tips for improving your dance competition game or honestly improve your ballet technique as a whole, this is a great purchase.

Section 1 - "The 3 Simple Rules of a Prima Ballerina" is the pdf version of the ebook which contains over 200 pages of text, pictures and complex illustrations of ballet positions and movements. This part of the ebook tells you how to perform the moves correctly and also illustrates common mistakes that most people make when learning. This is the best part of this section of the material. Sometimes dancers really need to be shown the wrong way in order to correct themselves and conduct the move correctly. Excellent!

Section 2 - "Audio Terms and Definitions" is the audio software package. This section offers a search and find feature that enables you to find any ballet term and learn its corresponding meaning. For each exercise, dance step, position, and/or pose, all you have to do is point and find. The reader also learns the correct French accents for specific terms - it is that detailed. After you click on the term you can hear the correct definition, it is a great feature! This is exactly like hearing a dance teacher give instruction in the classroom.

Section 3 - "Video Demonstrations" is a collection of over 60 videos on ballet technique. That's right, 60 videos, that is equivalent to 60 different classes. If you actually had to pay for 60 dance classes you can imagine the cost you would incur. Now you can put on your dance shoes and follow along in your living room. Being able to watch and imitate is an invaluable tool that The Ballet Bible offers!

Now all the positives being said of course there are the cons.

Being in a dance class with an experienced, qualified teacher is irreplaceable. With an ebook the "hands-on" aspect of dance is non-existent to say the least. You don't have the teacher physically correcting you and manipulating the student's body into the correct positions. This is something you can only get in a classroom. But the alternative is nothing at all.

So - THE BALLET BIBLE is the best compromise! It's author, Anita Leembruggen, is a trained dancer and educator in ballet. She has spent years in the studio and has brought this book to you to share with your students and/or children in the home. Now everyone can learn ballet, it will be as simple as turning on the computer. So put on your ballet shoes and dance along with Anita in THE BALLET BIBLE!

Good luck at all of your dance competitions this year!

If you would like a copy of the Ballet Bible for you teaching library, please go to www.balletbibleinfo.com [http://www.balletbibleinfo.com]

"Dance of the Heart" by James L Therrian - Book Review

Dance of the Heart

by James L. Therrian

James Therrian (2007)

ISBN 9780615135007

"Dance of the Heart" is a quick-read novel of only 118 pages, however, there is so much more to this story than one would expect. First of all, Therrian does a fantastic job of setting up the scenes, the characters, and the beginning. It was very clear to me who the characters were and what role they played.

Michael Baldwin is successful and flourishing. He is well-balanced in his career as a successful professional dancer and home life with a longtime partner, David. And, they just built a beautiful home on Lake Michigan. All goes well until his lead partner, who is morbidly disliked, accidentally dies.

Michael has mixed emotions over her death but even more so, mixed emotions when a new dance partner, Elizabeth, replaces Margo, the dead lead. Michael, acknowledging being gay from as long as he can remember, is extremely attracted to Elizabeth. The drama continues as Michael struggles with his emotions and ultimately discloses his feelings to his partner David.

Of course, David, as any partner would be, is crushed and reacts accordingly. In the meantime, Elizabeth, being only a temporary replacement for Margo, returns to her home. Michael, with all intentions in place, was going to tell Elizabeth how he felt, however, she left before he was able to do so. This results in more mixed emotions for Michael.

"Dance of the Heart" is appropriately named, because there certainly is a lot of heart dancing in the book. Does Michael ever tell Elizabeth how he feels? Can a gay man actually fall in love with a woman? Was Michael's infatuation with Elizabeth real or a fantasy? Does David move on to other lovers?

What a wonderful story! "Dance of the Heart" is an account that proves how complicated love can be. Therrian's story shows how we, as human beings, can spin ourselves into a hole of confusion when we don't follow our true feelings. Michael's mother, Sally, summed it up best by saying "You can't choose who you fall in love with, but you can choose what you do with it. In the end, it's all up to you."