The Dancing Equation: “Dancing = Walking”

You may have heard your teacher say “Dancing is just like walking. If you can walk you can dance and vice-versa” so why does it feel difficult or that our teacher is lying to us? 

So how is “dancing” and “walking” similar?

When we walk down the street we change from one foot to the other without thinking (Right, Left, Right, Left), it just naturally occurs. Dancing is the same in this aspect, we always change from one foot to the other (Right, Left, Right, Left); the difference being a change in direction. 

Directional changes are a common occurrence. In our normal, everyday life we may not realise how many times we change direction whether it is stepping to the side out of someone’s way, walking back a few steps when pulling open a door or turning around when we hear someone call our name; what’s different is our mentality to approaching dancing.

Some other similarity between dancing and walking happen during our Smooth dances (Tango, Fox Trot, Waltz). Again, when we walk down the street, we strike the pavement with the heel of our foot first and roll through to the toe. This is beautiful Smooth Footwork Technique! Don’t change a thing! You’re already dancing!

Similarly when we are walking, we move our opposite arm to the foot we are stepping on; this is for counterbalance and to help stop us from falling over. Very rarely will we use the same arm as leg when we dance.

Some reasons why dancing can seem different to walking is because it is both physically and mentally more exhausting (sometimes emotionally too). Whilst walking burns approximately 180 - 230 calories per hours; dancing (depending on the style) can burn up to more than triple the amount of calories. Dancing also tones the body, and lengthens and uses muscles that walking doesn’t.

Other factors such as music and a person in front of us can make it feel like dancing and walking are two completely different things. When we naturally walk, we walk to a natural steady beat/rhythm/pace. Dancing can switch between rhythmic patterns (slow, quick, quick, slow) which is different to our natural steady walking pace; this difference is where we can become overwhelmed and confused. But if we approach it at a slower pace with a positive mindset and think of dancing as walking, then it becomes easier.

Overall, walking and dancing have many similarities, and this is why your teacher tells you that they are similar; to make dancing more relatable and less of a foreign concept. So, the next time you are having difficultly with a particular step, think about how similar it is to walking and hopefully this simplification and relation will make dancing seem a bit easier.