Dancing is a popular and enjoyable source of entertainment. With so many different types of dances, learning any specific discipline takes practice and understanding. Especially when you're learning to dance with a partner, you'll need to understand who should be leading and how to recognize the instructions from the lead dancer. If you're getting ready to take Latin dance classes, there are a few different types of leading that you'll have to be able to recognize.

Using And Reading Body Weight

In Latin dances such as the cha-cha, where much of the dance occurs with the leading partner's arm around the following partner, weight changes are a popular indicator for leading. When the following partner is held close by the leading partner, any changes in the leading partner's body weight help to tell the following partner what direction to move in and how to make those moves.

The key to following a lead like this is to simply sense the movement of your partner and recognize when he or she shifts weight from one foot to another. If you are leading, the key to this type of leading method is to focus on shifting your weight in the proper direction to show your partner which direction to move in.

Using And Reading Physical Guidance

Another common method for leading in Latin dancing is physical guidance. Latin dancing involves rapid movement, which can make it difficult for a following dancer to always keep up with lead indicators. Physical guidance, such as that of tightening grip, putting forward pressure on the back, or pulling away to indicate forward movement, can make for clearer movement instruction. 

Physical leading is easier for followers who are new to dancing and new to Latin dance moves, particularly. With a physical lead, the following dancer receives clearer, more effective guidance about which direction to move in.

Using And Reading Movement Guidance

Unlike body weight and physical indicators, movement guidance is harder for newer dancers to understand. Movement guidance includes things such as raising an arm as an indicator to the following dancer to move in closer or to spin toward the leading dancer.

The important thing to remember is that movement guidance is usually only effective when the following dancer has already learned the dance steps and can follow the movement indicator more as a reminder and as a style factor in the dance.

For more tips about Latin dance lessons and what types of leads you might encounter, reach out to a Latin dance instructor near you today.

To learn more, contact a resource like Dream Dance.