#dancing reference

I am not an artist, but I am a social dancer, and every time I see fanart of characters dancing drawn by people who’ve never done partnered dancing and don’t use a reference to make sure it’s a. physically possible and b. using actual dance positions, I just want to turn off my computer and never log back on. 

Here are the basics, for reference:

-The most important things to think about regarding dance anatomy are the position of the spine and the way each person is holding their weight. The spine shouldn’t be bent in uncomfortable natural positions. Stances, especially for the leads, should be solid enough to support their own and their partner’s weight. Lots of lunges, bent knees, and straight backs.  -Whoever is leading should have their right hand on their partner’s back (either up in the center of the back on the ribcage or down a little lower just above the small of the back, depending on the style of dance and the closeness of the embrace) and left hand holding their partner’s in a ballroom hold (which means that their hands are in interlocking L shapes with the fingers folded over) -I’m gonna repeat this because it’s the mistake I see most often. For leads: left hand with their partner’s hand, right hand on their partner’s back.  -Dips should NEVER be done with an arched spine, that’s incredibly dangerous and painful and a terrible idea in anything except tightly choreographed and rehearsed dancing. If you ever see a posed dip with a super arched spine, please know that that’s really only possible if you’re posing and not actively dancing. -Dips have to be done in a way so that the follow’s body weight is supported by the bracing of the lead’s body. If it looks like the lead is holding their follow’s entire body weight with just their bicep, it’s wrong. At the very least, the lead needs to have a wide, solid stance and their arm has to be wrapped securely around the follow’s waist/ribs, and the follow has to have their arm wrapped securely around their lead’s neck/shoulders. Most of the time the follow is braced against another part of the lead’s body, like their side or their thigh, depending on the exact position. -Dancers should NEVER FULLY EXTEND THEIR ELBOWS OR ARMS that’s just asking for dislocation and extreme pain. -If you’re looking for dance poses to use as a reference, I recommend tango, swing, blues, or a latin style, as they’re more dynamic looking than European ballroom styles. 

Here are some pretty and functional poses I pulled off google images. 

Blues. (source) - Notice how the lead has leg bent in almost a lunge to support his follow’s weight? (Also I’ve taken classes from both these dancers personally, they’re great.)

Swing. (source) Notice again how the lead is actually braced to actually support her weight against his bent leg.

A classic still pose for ballroom, with an arched spine. Notice thought that this isn’t a dip. The follow is in complete control of her own body weight, and the arch is purely an added aesthetic. It’s still super uncomfortable though, and this is why I personally don’t like similar ballroom styles. (source)

And here’s just like. A bunch of tango. Notice still that in every one the follow’s weight is fully supported and the lead’s stance is very firm and grounded. If you’re looking for really dramatic dance poses, go with tango. (sources)

And here are some videos! (Mostly of styles I have personal experience with.

West Coast Swing

Slow Swing/Drag Blues

Lindy Hop

Salsa

Fusion

And the amazing video of the pair