How to Dance - Turns and Spins Series - Inside Swivels

Turns and spins are fun to do; however, they requirethe supporting foot, as well as developing a habit of
some specific skills. You must first become aware ofbringing the free leg to the supporting leg before you
the different types of turns and the most commonturn.
problems you might encounter. Then you are readyStand with your right side next to a table or kitchen
to start your adventure in turns.counter. Put your right hand on the counter. Stand
TYPES OF TURNSwith your feet together and your weight towards
Very simply, there are only two directions in whichthe ball of your right foot.
you can rotate on a standing foot; towards theTake a long step forward with your left foot - by
outside of the foot or towards the inside of thepushing from your supporting or right foot. As your
foot. For example, if you are standing on the leftleft foot becomes the supporting foot relax the knee
foot and rotate left, you would be turning towardsand bring your right knee to the left knee. On the ball
the outside of the supporting foot; if you rotateof your left foot, swivel 1/2 turn to your right
right, you would be turning towards the inside of the(towards the inside of the left foot). Put your left
supporting foot.hand on the counter.
From these two directions, you can execute fiveNow you are standing with the counter on your left
types of turns or rotations:side. Feet together and the weight towards the ball
of the left foot.
1. Inside SwivelsTake a long step forward with your right foot - by
2. Outside Swivelspushing from your supporting or left foot. As your
3. Spiral Turnsright foot becomes the supporting foot relax the
4. Pivot turnsknee and bring your left knee to your right knee. On
5. Spin Turnsthe ball of your right foot, swivel 1/2 turn to your
By learning these 5 types of rotating actions you willleft (towards the inside of the right foot). Put your
be on your way to mastering any type of turn orright hand on the counter.
rotation in any pattern.Now you are (as you were on the beginning of this
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR TURNSexercise) standing with the counter on your right
There are four main factors that can influence yourside. Feet together and the weight towards the ball
ability to turn:of your right foot.
Repeat the same swivel exercise several times. As
1. Your ability to maintain your balance on theyou become more proficient with this action try
supporting leg-columnperforming the same swivel action with your
2. Your ability to swivel the supporting foot enoughsupporting leg straight as you arrive onto it and
to complete the turnswivel, and relaxing it as you are ready to move on
3. Your ability to create power for the turnto the next leg at the end of the swivel.
4. Your ability to absorb the power in the turnThis swivel action is used as a step in dances like
You were introduced to the first factor in ourSwing, Rumba or Cha-Cha. It is also the turning action
previous issue: "Ballroom Dance Lesson - Improveused in walk around turns and walk around underarm
Your Balance For Better Dancing" .turns. (Any half turn that turns towards the inside of
In this issue we will be concentrating on the secondthe foot and moves back to the same direction it
factor - the ability to swivel on the supporting foot.came from is actually an inside swivel).
TURN EXERCISE 1 - INSIDE SWIVELSMany dancers are surprised to discover this inside
(Print this page so you can try this exercise as youswivel action in many of the patterns they currently
read it).dance. Inside Swivels are also the foundation of the
This exercise will allow you to practice swiveling onthird type of turn in our list - Spiral turns.