Tips for the Slow Dance

Regardless of why you will be slow dancing, there are some tips that you should definitely keep in mind.  These tips will make this intimate moment more fun and less embarrassing for you since you won't be stepping on your partner's toes throughout the entire dance.  Thus, they are a good thing to brush up on every once in a while.

• Maintain the right amount of space between you and your partner.  While you want to be in close proximity, you do not want your lower extremities to touch.  There should be between 4 to 6 inches between you and your partner’s hips.


• Women should rest their right palm on their partner’s left shoulder and their left palm on the back of their partner’s neck.


• Men should rest their hand on their partner’s hips or in the small of their back.


• Footwork should be done with a side stepping motion.  You and your partner will want your footwork to be a mirror image of one another.  Shuffle along so that your feet are always on the ground.


• Relax!  This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your dance partner so make that your focus.


• Consider taking some slow dance lessons.  They are oftentimes offered at the local YMCA, recreational center or at private dance studios.  In these classes you will learn the proper moves and postures as a dance teacher takes you through each step pointing out your mistakes and showing you how you can improve.


• There are times when it will be difficult to see what you are doing wrong.  At these times, you will need the help of someone who is more experienced than you in order to solve the problem and become a better dancer.


• Practice the steps in front of a mirror before the big dance.


• Consider purchasing an instructional dance video.  This will help you become more confident with the slow dance steps.