Thank you for so much, Andy. You have opened my eyes in ways I never could have imagined. ~ Cheryl, Israeli dancer
Anyone can dance enjoyably with a partner once you know how to communicate. This book shows you how to communicate so you can make every dance a pleasure.
Everyone is telling me something different. How do I know what to do? ~ Malissa, beginning Argentine tango dancer
When you go social dancing, you dance with a lot of people. You have no time to negotiate about how you are going to proceed. You need a common language that all dancers speak.
The method in this book is a language. We will call this language PDL for convenience. PDL stands for Partner Dance Language. This language is the only explicit language for communicating with your dance partner. You learn to explicitly communicate what you want your partner to do. The language is so accurate you can communicate better when the follower is blindfolded because she is not tempted to use external clues. You learn to speak this language while you dance.
This language is the only unambiguous method of communicating in social dancing. You learn how to communicate unambiguously so your partner knows what to do without confusion.
You learn the only clear definition of the rules for leading and following. These principles will transform your understanding of how to dance with a partner.
Incredibly, you can communicate every step in every social dance by following three simple laws and using just three signals. You learn the three laws of balance, connection, and direction. You learn the three signals that let you communicate each move. You learn how to give and respond to subtle signals instantly. This should be the first dance class you take so you can communicate clearly.
Hannah asked me to dance, then she corrected me. A little while later she asked me again, then corrected me again. The third time she asked me to dance, I made up an excuse. ~ Richard, social dancer
Social dancing is about having fun. You have more fun in a welcoming atmosphere. This book addresses all aspects of the communication that goes on at social dancing. The most important thing you learn is how to get along with others.
For me, stress is both physical and psychological. I worry about not performing well enough to suit my partner. It would be nice if we did not judge other people's dancing. If we did not want to dance with only the best dancers. It is like elementary school, where people who are not athletic get picked last. ~ Margaret, social dancer
Everyone who goes social dancing is entitled to have a good time without the fear of being judged. You learn the difference between social dancing and performance dancing. You learn to create a nonjudgmental environment for your group. You learn to create a respectful relationship with your dance partner. No matter what your level, you learn to have a good time dancing with people of every other level.
I have a shoulder injury. Even slight stress inflames the joint. With many people, my shoulder starts hurting almost immediately. With the method in this book, I can dance all night without any strain.
You learn how to dance safely. You learn how to dance without pushing and pulling. You learn how to communicate through body language without the use of force.
You have the gentlest lead. ~ Rene, vintage waltz dancer
Since there is no use of force, this is the gentlest possible method of dancing with a partner. You learn to dance softly, which is a joy for you and your partner.
You move like a cat. ~ Andrea, Argentine tango instructor
You learn how to move so you stay balanced. When you are balanced, you are in control of your body. This gives you the ability to respond to your partner's movement. Only when you are balanced can you communicate completely.
When you understand the principles of how to communicate, you dance with confidence. You feel more comfortable. You feel more popular.
I can never tell if I am following you or if I am leading myself. ~ Esther, West Coast swing dance teacher
You learn to dance so naturally that the woman does not feel she is being led. You simply follow the natural flow of your bodies.
You are so musical. I love dancing with you. ~ Rosanna, Argentine tango dancer
Since you dance without force, you have the maximum physical freedom of movement. This, along with clearly defined rules, gives you the greatest freedom of expression. You can improvise as your partner inspires you. You can add meaning as the music moves you.
How do you know so many dances? ~ Dina, social dancer
You learn to communicate once. You use the same method in all your dancing. We have tested this method on dozens of social dances and countless pieces of choreography. The method works for every dance that we know. Here are some of the dances we tested: Argentine tango, balboa, bachata, ballroom, blues, Cajun, cha-cha, contra, Country Western, East Coast swing, English country, folk, foxtrot, hustle, international, Israeli, Latin, lindy hop, mambo, nightclub two-step, Nordic, polka, round, rumba, salsa, samba, square, Texas two-step, waltz, West Coast swing, Western-style square, zydeco, and many others.
I went to my first class in nightclub two-step. The instructor told me this was an advanced class. He said I could watch. If I felt I could keep up, I could jump in. I jumped in right away. When I rotated to the instructor's partner, she wanted to know where I had been dancing. I was already better than the other students in the class, not because I knew more moves, but because I knew how to dance with a partner.
You learn the skills that apply to every dance. Once you know how to dance with a partner, you learn new dances more easily.
I was in South Florida for a week. Friday, I went to Argentine tango. Saturday, I took my sister to the movies. Sunday, I went to salsa. Monday, I went to lindy swing. Tuesday, I went to hustle. Wednesday, I visited my cousins. Thursday, I went to Argentine tango. Friday, I went ballroom dancing. Afterward, I stayed for West Coast swing, hustle, and country two-step.
Being able to do many dances empowers your social life. You can go out dancing almost every night, meet people, and have fun.
That was the most beautiful waltz I ever danced. I felt like I was dreaming. ~ Evan, social dancer
You learn the fundamental principles for dancing with a partner. Even if your partner does not know these principles, they still work for you. Your partner will appreciate them.
The method in this book works for choreographed dances too. You learn how to do every choreographed dance whether you know the steps or not. You learn how to dance together so you are not just doing choreography but are two people dancing as one.
You learn new ways of understanding your dancing that you can put to practical use. As you progress, the principles in this book help you understand your dancing more deeply. They continually reveal powerful insights on your dance teachers' explanations.
Some local teachers disagreed with my advertisement that Argentine tango, although among the most sophisticated of dances, was also among the easiest. Yet, my beginners were dancing Argentine tango the first day. One of them, who was taking another class at the same time, said, "That was so much fun. I loved that we got to dance."
The method in this book is so easy to understand that the main rules are summarized on a single page of paper, which you can learn in an afternoon.
The principles are organized in a simple structure of ABCD, which helps you learn faster. While others are trying to assimilate hundreds of pointers, you see the whole picture in a way you can easily remember. You understand more of what your dance teachers tell you. You are better able to apply what you learn to take your dancing to a new level.
The method in this book is built on a logical foundation. A logical foundation gives you the terminology to discuss what you are doing with others. Understanding basic elements guides you in new situations. A logical foundation lets you subject each element to analysis. This provides an opportunity for finding flaws, making improvements, and uncovering new possibilities.
Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanence. ~ Swing dance instructor
You have to be careful you are practicing skills that make you better and are not reinforcing bad habits that make you worse. This book guides your progress so you know you are practicing the correct skills in the right way. You invest years into the dancing that you love. As long as you have made this commitment, give yourself every opportunity to improve. Be sure you are learning the skills that help your dancing flourish. Make sure you get better each time you go dancing.
This book helps dance teachers by providing a simple explanation of how to communicate. The ABCDs make teaching easier by providing a consistent set of ideas across all dances. Your students are better able to apply what you teach them.