Hi everyone... really love Len's tuition slot on ITT ~ he's so funny and Claudia is such a bad dancer.. which makes it even funnier. Perhaps they should have her as a contestant on SCD ~ now that I would love to see

Hope he is going to be able to do a bit on the male lead and how to get a good shape through the top-line as my partner has a real problem with his right shoulder

Anyone got any good tips or gadgets that might help

It had crossed my mind that Claude might have made a very good contestant, if she hadn't been a presenter on the show.

Though it's quite possible that her apparent two left-feet might be part of her comedy-persona on ITT. She might be able to dance quite well.

I think that's a real possibility. Her ridiculous heels certainly don't help!

Gotta say ~ lot's of people reading the link but no-one offering me any help...

What does one do about a bad shoulder lead from the man... apart from find another partner!!!

HappyDancer, there is a thread somewhere on here called technical thread for discussion or something along those lines. You may get an answer in there as certainly the resident AT teacher is likely to look in that thread and other teachers and dancers do!
If you have actual lessons, this is something your teacher should be working on with your partner. I don't think he should be leading solely with his right shoulder or in fact with his shoulder at all. I think the lead should be coming through the right hand side through the body movement. I can't explain very well as I make a rubbish leader! (I am female but occasionally have to dance ballroom as the man)

You can actually buy a gadget called Topline Dance Frame which does what it says - it is shaped to fit over the shoulders and holds the man's shoulders and arms in the correct ballroom position, to help train the man to hold his shoulders correctly. I could send you details, but warn you they are well over £100....

A simpler way which some people have used to help students is to get a broom handle, put it across the man's shoulders & under his arms, as this serves much the same purpose of pulling the shoulders and arms back.

Myself I prefer a more personal approach. Ask your teacher to dance with your partner because that is the best way for any teacher to find out exactly what is going wrong, and more importantly, to know how to put it right.

Bad habits can seldom be corrected overnight - it's something you will both have to work to overcome. Your partner may be unaware what he is doing wrong, so you need to be able to tell him - which means having a good understanding between you before practicing, 'cos you don't want him accusing you of nagging!!!!

I hope that helps (a little!)

What's the link for the topline dance frame? Given that a pair of shoes for me cost 70 quid, £100 or so has got to be good value if it improves our dancing.

Have tried the broom handle but that's was only useful for upright position.

When we are with the teacher he's not too bad, it is when we are on our own practicing that the troubles start... but I take your point about the nagging... wouldn't want to upset the sensitive fellow !!!

They should bring back the clip of him dancing! You know those fast moves he does mainly with the right side of his body!

With a smile his face too!

www.toplinedanceframe.com

My problem with this sort of thing is that while it holds the upper body in correct position while it is in place, when it is removed the dancer tends to flop forward again. The correct posture has to be learnt, drilled and practiced until it becomes natural - with or without "gadgets!"

Take a look at the website (I haven't looked at it myself, so don't know what it is like) but before you think of shelling out the cash, have a word with your teacher to see what he/she recommends.

Because it does nothing to strengthen the muscles around the spine, which are needed to keep the spine in proper alignment. Nor does it strengthen the rhomboids needed to keep the scapulae in place.

As you wrote, posture requires exercise just like anything else. People on the whole spend the day sitting wrongly, in poorly designed furniture, then sleep on wonky beds, and so on.

Good thing for a person to do is learn how to evaluate themselves when looking in the mirror, try to feel their head, neck, and shoulders/arms, then correct themselves (whilst looking in the mirror) and noting the change in feeling. It should be noted that many upper-body problems originate lower down in the body and work their way upwards.

Len's Tuition Slot on It Takes Two


Len and Claudia together .... sorry but I'd rather watch paint dry, they act like overexcited children.

Agree with all of that - but have looked at the TopLine Dance Frame site www.toplinedanceframe.com and the frame really looks like it might help. Comes well recommended by a top UK professional ballroom dancer (Craig Shaw) plus a former champion and adjudicator (Gary Foster) so I guess they should know if it works or not... so I think I'm going to get one for the partner. He has the torso bit sorted, great abs/rhomboids etc (trust me... I know!!!) but still a shoulder problem... it's more that he leads with it ~ not all the time but often enough

And George Forman really knows about Grills or is he just paid for his name?

I may be a little niave, but I think in the relatively small world of professional dancing, an adjudicator/teacher and a professional dancer would not risk their reputations by endorsing something they didn't believe in or consider to be beneficial to others.

I think most people are wooed by money and endorsements.

It may well be a useful tool Len talks about a contraption that he used to help him with his top line in his autobiography irc. However I enjoy being a little bit cynical about such things.

It has to be remembered that people are paid to recommend things ... I've yet to meet a pro dancer who thinks this is really any good or benefit.

I would be interested to know who the "pro's" are that think it isn't of any use.
I've spoken to the current UK Professional Latin Champions, the current UK National Ballroom Champions, the 2009 British Professional Classic Showdance Champion and the UK's top adjudicator... and they all think it has real benefits to offer the dancer - be they male or female. And they have no vested interest in the product.
And another thing... I see on their web-site that Len Goodman thinks it is "fantastic"... don't tell me he's wrong as well?