School of Thought of Ballroom Dancing
according to the Body School
I used the framework of the four different Schools of Thought in ballroom dancing to navigate all the contradicting information I learned. I got the information from the best teachers in the world.
Learning ballroom dancing can be a huge challenge. Whether you have had lessons at a chain studio such as Arthur Murray Dance Studios/Fred Astaire Dance Studios or have taken lessons with an independent teacher/instructor, changes are, you have never heard of the topic “schools of thought in ballroom dancing” before. Most judges are not aware of this. Their job is to compare you to the other couples and decide where you rank. They are not concerned with what you understand or how you learned it.
Coaches are often not aware either. Their main concern is to tell you what they don’t like to see and give you instructions as to how, in their opinion, to correct it. Often times, if you take lessons with different coaches, this advice will be contradictory. It is seldom you encounter a coach that will ask why you are doing what you are doing, or how or where you learned what you know. Most dancers are on their own to figure out why teachers/coaches are contradicting each other and how to settle that contradiction.
Do you feel stupid and like you have a learning disability?
It can be daunting to figure it all out. Even most teachers/coaches don’t have an answer as to why there are so many contradictions in ballroom dancing. When you know the schools of thought you will have more insight than most teachers/coaches.
Looking at couples dancing ballroom dance competitions today, I see a lot of confusion and pain. It looks like most couples have no clear direction and they look in desperate need of some guidance. Not only does most couples look lost but many also look like they are doing serious harm to their bodies. I often wonder whether the couples are aware of this harm or not. Surely, they wouldn’t do it if they knew that their action could cause chronic pain for the rest of their lives. If these couples keep doing what they are doing, in very short time they will no longer be able pursue the ballroom dancing that is probably their love and passion. This concerns me a great deal, so in this post I will address why there are so many contradictions in the ballroom dance world.
The schools of thought in International Standard.
Benny Tolmeyer
Benny was an amazing teacher with a unique flair for making the most complex idea/s simple and communicating it/them, always, in a lighthearted way. He believed that dancing should be as easy and natural as walking. The influence of his teaching is still present to this day. Because the main focus is on natural movement, I call his style for the Body School
Bill & Bobbie Irvine MBE
Bill and Bobbie had great influence on many couples. They danced a very dynamic, linear and powerful style. Many couples still use their influence of dancing to this day. Because of their straight, linear movement I call their influence the Square School
Peter Eggleton
Peter always talked about having rotation in the body, having a left side leading, and dancing around the partner. The style of his dancing was soft, rotary, and musical. He has had a great influence on many dancers. Because of the focus on rotation and curves, I call his style the Round School
Schools of thought in International Latin
In Latin there are two schools of thought. The way I would describe it as an image, would be like a high-pitched roof. These two schools are very different. Once works from the Outside-In and the other works from the Inside-Out. If I were to compare the International Latin to the International Standard, I call one for the physical side (Traditional and Round) and the other for the energy side (Square and Body).
Nina Hunt
Nina was the main teacher to many great dancers. Her influence can be seen today with a great many couples. I would call her style for the “Outside-In” school of thought.
Walter Laird
Walter changed the Internation Latin in many ways. Firstly, he wrote the IDTA Latin technique book. Secondly, he taught the dance world to appreciate its roots and understand the music used. He trained many of the top couples and many couple dance his technique today. I call his style for the “Inside-Out” school of thought
Pick Your Dance Parents
After over 40 years in the ballroom dance industry, I’m often asked for advice for beginners. I always say, “Pick a Parent and stick with them.” These mentors will keep you focused and guide you along the path to success.
My own “dance Parents,” Benny Tolmeyer and Janet Gleave, played a crucial role in my journey. Without their guidance, I wouldn’t be in a position to simplify and streamline the learning process for others.
The Body School integrates this information into the basic training.
When I first became aware of the 4 different Schools of Thought in Standard and 2 Schools of Thought in Latin, I felt it was important that this information was made available to all. Nobody deserves to go through confusion and frustration with this beautiful way of expressing oneself.
I talked to Benny about making the information readily available and he agreed as long as respect was shown toward each School of Thought. I therefor made this teaching a big part of the basic training in the Body School.
Today the Body School has several books and a video program that goes into more details of the principles used in the Body School to create great dancing. To learn more, go to the Body School website
Conclusion
Choose a side of the pyramid/pitched roof and start climbing. Pick your “Dance Parents” and “Dance Family” and not necessarily in the order I wrote it. Make a commitment and stick to it. Quality takes time and work.
As one of my mentors (Bob Proctor) said it “You have to do it, however you can’t do it alone.”
Remember the object is to get to the top and the fastest way to top is in a straight line. Even if you don’t go in a total straight-line aim for the straight line.
If you want to learn more details on this topic, how to become a good dancer fast and more on the Body School check out the Body School website for Book and Video Programs .
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Happy Dancing