Body language is always communicating. We can't stop it. And this communication carries over to partner dancing. It doesn't matter if we are dancing socially or in a competition. Our body language will affect how well others think we dance.
In this article the basics will be covered. Then the role of the body language in dance will be covered. Finally, the article will cover how you can use this knowledge to improve your partner dancing (and probably other types of dance as well).
Body language basics
Body language can communicate things such as real thoughts and feeling, and can at time communicate if someone is lying. However, the main issue within the context of dance is confidence. Typically, dance looks best when it is done confidently.
So what communicates confidence?
When we are feeling confident, we do not feel we need to protect ourselves. Thus, we are less inclined to cover vital areas of our body. Areas such as out chest, stomach, face ribs and genitals. Therefore, body language that communicates confidence will often involve our arms being away from our core. Also, we will not pull or hips back in an attempt to protect our groins either. So essentially, an open body communicates confidence.
Body language in dance
Often when dancing in a strange place, with strange people or perhaps in a competition, we will not be feeling confident. This means we will have a natural tendency to pull our arms in and pull our hips back. Now think about the number of dance moves that require your arms to be out and your feet splayed so that your hips are forward. It's quite a lot so you can see how important a confident body is.
But here's the problem.
Body language is instinctive. That makes it powerful and hard to detect in ourselves. In fact we might try lifting our arms and actually feel they are too heavy to lift further. That's the instinctive part of our mind taking control without us realising.
So what to do?
Using body language to improve your partner dancing ability
Two things can be done. We can become more confident or we can prepare for such moves.
The best thing about body language is that it is a two way street. That means if you put the effort into displaying confidence, then you will start to feel more confident. Prior to dancing, try to ensure that you're moving and standing with a confident look. Some guide has been given here, but any book on the topic will give you some more pointers.
Being mindful of your body is also a powerful too. By simply realizing that a certain move can be hampered when your instincts take control you are able to compensate. Be aware of moves that require a confident body pose. Then as you're about to perform them, put that little bit of extra effort into being bold in your movement. That will override your instincts, and your dance will look better.
Clint Steele is a social dancer with an interest in learning and how people can get better at something with minimum time and effort.
http://www.dancebetternow.com/
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