How to Dance a Reverse Turn in Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz is one of the oldest ballroom dances. It is still danced to the classical Waltzes that remind one of Venice. It is the most difficult of the ballroom dances, being very fast. Your technique must be very good to perform this dance comfortably with a partner. In ballroom dancing, “reverse” means “left.” One complete reverse turn will make a 360 degree turn.
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Instructions
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Man's steps
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1
Stand on your right foot with your left foot free in closed dance position, facing down the line of dance. Pull your right side back slightly to “wind up” and give yourself some momentum.
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2
Step forward on your left foot, heel first, and then rolling onto the ball of your foot, knee bent, turn about 1/8 of a turn.
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3
Step forward on the ball of your right foot, knee still bent, turning a little bit more. Use the ball of your foot only—do not lower the heel.
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4
Pivot on both feet to finish the turn (end back to line of dance) and draw your left foot in to cross in front of your right. End with your weight on your left foot on a bent knee.
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5
Step back on your right foot, turning about 1/8 of a turn.
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6
Point your left foot down line of dance. Use the ball of your foot only—do not lower the heel.
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7
Draw your right foot in, flat on the floor, until you bring your feet together. Change weight to the right foot.
Woman's steps
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8
Stand on your left foot with your right foot free in closed dance position.
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9
Step back on your right foot, turning about 1/8 of a turn.
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10
Point your left foot down line of dance. Use the ball of your foot only—do not lower the heel.
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11
Draw your right foot in, flat on the floor, until you bring your feet together. Change weight to the right foot.
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12
Step forward on your left foot, heel first, and then rolling onto the ball of your foot, knee bent, turn about 1/8 of a turn.
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13
Step forward on the ball of your right foot, knee still bent, turning a little bit more. Use the ball of your foot only—do not lower the heel.
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14
Pivot on both feet to finish the turn (end back to line of dance) and draw your left foot in to cross in front of your right. End with your weight on your left foot on a bent knee.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The count for the reverse turn in Viennese Waltz is one, two, three, four, five, six. Each count is one beat. Viennese Waltz music is generally around 60 beats per minute, so it can be difficult to count out loud and dance at the same time!
Closed dance position: lady’s right hand in the man’s left, held at about eye level. Man’s right hand on lady’s left shoulder blade (under her left arm). Lady’s left hand flat on the man’s back, just behind his shoulder. The lady is offset to the man’s right side.
When dancing the reverse turn in Viennese Waltz, do not think of spinning or rotating in place. Think of travelling linearly down the floor—you just happen to be turning at the very end. Make every step take you down the line of dance.
Consult your physician before starting any new physical activity.
