Two Step Dance

Remember Jennifer Lopez showcasing her dancing skills in the movie Shall We Dance? I feel that all those who love dancing or at least have an appreciation for the art, should watch that movie for the sheer dancing skills the lead actors have portrayed. It had everything - Two Step, Rumba, Salsa, Waltz and other ballroom dances performed by the actors. If you are talking about dance then, it is difficult to refrain from gushing about Two Step which is a very interesting dance to learn and perform and a lot of fun. This couple dance mainly originated in the country side and is very popular in the south of USA. It is a great excuse for getting to know people especially in bars and parties.

Instructions for Two Step Dance

There are two aspects of the Two Step dance - there is one leader and one follower. By default, most of the time the leader is the guy and the girl is the follower. Thus, the dance steps will be given in that perspective.

Texas Two Step Dance for the Leader
Okay, guys, it is now time to impress your lady love with some neat footwork.

• Stand with your feet together and face your partner.
• The right hand will go on your partner's waist and the left hand will be on your side, slightly bent.
• Take your partner's hand and be in the right position to start off.
• Once the music starts, step forward quickly with left foot on the first beat.
• On the next, step forward with the right foot.
• On the third beat, step with your left foot forward again, however, do it slowly.
• Fourth beat is a pause and on the fifth beat, step with your right foot forward but do this at a slower pace.
• The 6th beat will again be punctuated with a pause and after that the left foot should be brought together with the right.
• These were the basic steps, just repeat them!

This was what the leader should do.

Texas Two Step Dance for the Follower
Girls, brace yourselves because you have to match the guy's step by step!

• Begin with placing the left hand on the leader's right shoulder.
• Bending your right elbow slightly and place your palm in the leader's stretched palm.
• Do the opposite of what the leader does. For instance when the guy moves forward with his left foot, the girl moves backward with her right. Then, when the guy quickly moves forward with his right foot, the girl has to move her left foot back.
• All this has to be quick, in a single beat.

While you do this, glide your feet across the floor and try not to pick up your feet too much.

On the Dance Floor
Although it is not that difficult, practice is very necessary, like any other art, for mastering it. Therefore practice and practice hard to get those steps perfect. Those who are seasoned dancers they even do spins and turns. They basically whirl around the dance floor with an impeccable smoothness and in liquid like movements. It is mostly performed on a hardwood floor and the challenge is to not look down and still keep up with the tempo. To tell you more, the dress is nothing very lavish or formal. It is done in casual jeans and cowboy boots, specially by men. Women can wear a dress in addition to having the option of wearing jeans.

We have thus come to the end of a nice Two Step dance session. I hope this article tempts and encourages you to pursue this dance! All the best!