Improve Your Posture

Proper posture and body alignment are essential to all dancers. Professional ballroom dancers know that good posture is one of the most important aspects of partner dancing. Having good posture makes ballet dancers appear more elegant and confident. Good posture also improves overall balance and body control. Not only does good posture make you look more confident and alert, slouching or slumping can actually be bad for your body. Following are a few tips for improving your posture, both on and off the dance floor.

• Stand with your body weight forward, mostly on the balls of your feet
• Distribute your body weight evenly between your feet
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart
• Try not to lock your knees
• Stand tall, with shoulders square and relaxed
• Keep your head in line with your spine, eyes straight ahead
• Hold your chin parallel to the floor.
• Keep your neck long and stretched upward

Improving your posture will improve your appearance both on and off the dance floor. Dance of all genres can help to improve your posture. Even if you're not a dancer, improving your posture can have positive effects on your body, as well as your social life.