Shadow Hold -- Lady stands in front of the Man, slightly to Mans right side.
Man and Lady raise both hands to Ladys eye level (can be varied for comfort). Lady has palms facing out with fingers pointing upwards, Man places his fingers (pointing inwards)inside Lady's palms and places his thumb over the back of her hand. Lady will then gently close her fingers over Man's hand.
Man and Lady will use the same feet in this hold.
Semi-Shadow Hold -- As per Shadow Hold , except Man will place his right hand on Lady's right hip, fingers pointed to the floor. (Keep those fingers together gentlemen!) At Beginner Level, Lady will place her right hand over Mans hand. Ladies, as you advance in your dancing you will learn to use your right arm in time with the music, however even the most advanced dancers still adopt this basic hold at Social events.
Again Man and Lady are using the same feet.
Closed Hold -- This is the same as the normal Ballroom hold. Man and Lady face each other, Man takes Lady's right hand in his left. Lady places her left hand on Man's right shoulder, Man will then place his right hand on Lady's left shoulder blade, once again making sure to keep his fingers together. Guide your Lady gently using the palm of your hand.
Open Extended Hold -- Man and Lady stand next to each other, Man on the inside Line Of Dance (LOD) which is always to the left of the Lady and Lady on the outside LOD. (Right of Man)
Man's right hand will hold Lady's left hand, standing apart but not so far as to fully stretch the arms. The elbow must be allowed to bend slightly, this prevents injury as well as assisting with leading.
Promenade Position -- Man and Lady stand in normal Closed position then turn slightly away from each other with the mans Right side and Ladys Left side, either in slight contact or without contact if preferred. It should make this < shape
Counter Promenade Position -- Once again standing in normal Closed Position, but this time we change the V shape to > by slighty turning Mans Left side and Ladys Right side in toward each other.
Dont Forget POSTURE!
Posture is most important to ensure comfortable dancing. Beginners first mistake is lifting and tensioning the shoulders..this is WRONG! It will cause unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Take a big breath and let your body relax. There, that is how your shoulders need to remain, loose and free. Tighten your stomach muscles (not uncomfortably tight) . Think of it as lifting your ribcage away from your hips..notice how your back is upright and your shoulders are still relaxed? Now try this, stand facing a wall, lean slightly to the wall with your palms touching it, still remebering to keep your shoulders loose, can you feel that slight tension? This is Frame. Another good way to "feel" what good frame should feel like, imagine pushing a shopping trolley...it comes naturally right? You dont tension and lift your shoulders to make it move, you just apply slight pressure from your core (stomach muscles) and keep your arms toned enough to move it gently along.
Practice this and learn it, soon it will become just as natural as pushing that trolley along!
