How to Waltz

Patrick was nervous. Not because he just got married today to the love of his life, but because he was now about to enter the reception hall and dance in front of 200 guests. The first dance after being pronounced "husband and wife", he will hold Jenny in his arms and waltz while the band played their favorite music. Patrick choose 'The way you look tonight ~ Frank Sinatra', the song they danced on their first date. The guests were waiting for the bride and groom to enter; Patrick knew he had to get over himself, look in Jenny's eyes, and everything will be alright.

The only reason Patrick could calm himself down was, of course Jenny, but also the waltz dance classes that he had joined few weeks before the wedding. Perhaps your big day is coming up real soon and you don't want to disappoint your fiancée. Why not learn how to waltz? Surprise her on your wedding day as you charm yourself through the dance floor. Understanding how to waltz is not tough once you get the basics correct. With the help of this article, I can assure you, you will be able to do at least the basic waltz steps and understand where everything goes (hands and feet). Read more on ballroom dancing.

How to Waltz for Beginners

The first step of learning how to dance, waltz is pretty much the answer. Originally, waltz developed from a German folk dance which is now popular throughout the United States and Europe. Recognized as a formal and social dance form, the steps represented below will have you dancing, or better yet, waltzing on the dance floor. These steps mentioned are for men, while the women will do exactly the opposite of it. For example: man – forward with left leg, woman – back with right leg.

Step #1: First of all, hold your partner close to you by placing your right hand over her waist/slightly around the back. You can't waltz when your partner is miles away from you. Extending your left arm to your left side, take her right hand in yours while she has her left hand placed on your right shoulder. Everything that the man does, the woman will mirror the movements.

Step #2: As soon as the music begins, on the first beat, the man will step his left forward very gracefully. The woman will replicate the movement with her right leg and go backwards.

Step #3: With the second beat, the man will step forward with his right foot and moving towards his right. You won't stop or place your right foot on the floor when you move forward. Instead, you will just sway it forward and then towards your right side. The step will look something like an upside-down 'L' shape, but in the air and not on the floor.

Step #4: When you finish your 'L' shape and land on your right leg, shift your entire body weight on it. Although, don't shift or move your left leg, keep it fixed in the original position.

Step #5: By the third beat, bring your left leg and step in together with your right leg. You will slide the left leg; don't drag or lift it. It should look as if you are gliding on the dance floor.

Step #6: By the fourth beat, take a step back with your right leg. Your partner will follow you with her left leg and step forward.

Step #7: With the fifth beat, you will step back with his left foot and moving towards his left. You won't stop or place your left foot on the floor when you move backward. Instead, you will just sway it backward and then towards your left side. The step will look something like backward 'L' shape, but in the air and not on the floor.

Step #8: When you finish your backward 'L' shape and land on your left leg, shift your entire body weight on it. On the sixth beat, bring your right leg and step in together with your left leg. You will slide the right leg; don't drag or lift it. It should look as if you are gliding on the dance floor.



Repeat the steps from 2 till 8 and try pivoting (turning around) the dance floor to cover as much ground as possible. So instead of dancing in the same place, you will change the placement of both the feet and glide throughout the dance. When in doubt or wonder how to waltz, dance with your heart and not just your body. The steps will come to you as you hear the sweet waltz music and look into the eyes of your partner. Remember Patrick? The magic will be something like that and you will just glide yourself through the dance floor.