Although I posted in a thread I thought I start one of it's own.

On Sundays dance off one of the couples danced barefoot.

Is it not far easier to dance barefoot then in high heels (I think so) and if a dance is preformed barefoot it should be far better then the couple who are wearing shoes (ie high heels)

What does everyone feel?

much harder to dance Ballroom and Latin without shoes as it is difficult to do the correct footwork and glide on the floor - the dance Mark and Karen did was more contemporary than rumba and contrmporary is normally performed without shoes - personally would not like to see it happening again except maybe in showdance

Depends on the dance. Some dances will look awful in flat shoes, let alone barefoot.

Also, dance shoes are designed for purpose, as sports shoes are. The average person will not be better at running in barefeet than they will be in running shoes. The technology is designed to assist in the movements. Art often inspires Science and vice versa.

Karen said it was harder to dance barefoot than in shoes

it doesn't bother me either way, if the couples want to dance barefoot then why not

I have only danced contemporary/physical theater, I have never danced in shoes. I doubt I could walk in heels let alone dance

I would imagine it is much harder barefoot The shoes give support to the foot and help with gliding. It was an interesting experiment, if you like that sort of thing but what's next? Dancing in your underwear?
Memo to self Why the hell did I say that? I've just had a mental picture of Mark with his cheesy grin dancing in budgie smugglers and nothing else.AND it's almost teatime, think I'll just have to sip water until the image has gone.

I dance Argentine Tango and Salsa. I wouldn't want to do AT without at least a 2.5 inch heel preferably higher. The heel helps pitch your weight forward and the suede sole allows the foot to move while remaining in contact with the floor, which is a feature of the dance. I also feel more stable in a high tango shoe compared to an equally high fashion sandal for example. I am told this is because tango shoes are constructed differently and is to do with the relative position of the heel on the shank. Bare feet and AT are not a good mix.

Salsa I also find easier with a heel although it doesn't need to be so high. It helps get the push through the floor action and the 'heel kiss' which is where the hip rock comes from. Shoes also give a degree of cushioning and allow spins, turns etc. But I do have flats for salsa particularly for dancing outdoors and for surfaces that are dirty or rough. They are fine for Cuban style salsa but for Cross body I do find I miss the heels more. I probably could do a salsa bare foot, in fact I probably have, having done a rueda on the beach before now, but wouldn't want to do it for long.

That's quite interesting Betty. I saw a TV programme recently where they were showing that the application of a shoe changed the way human beings run. They seemed to be arguing that we naturally run toe down first but once a shoe is introduced then that changes to heel down first. I think the point they were making was that some typical runners injuries were caused by the jolting or compression from the heel down first which was sending a shock wave up through the leg bones etc.

given that pro dancers' feet are their lifeblood it surprised me to see Karen barefoot. I can say from experience that one crack in the skin can lead to a lot of pain and an inability to dance for ages by dancing barefoot. And the slightest sweat on the soles make most steps extra difficult owing to a tendency to stick to the floor. Stilettos and Cuban heels make pivoting and turning a lot easier thanks to the leather. Human feet are nowhere near as tough as leather. Doing a check step would be harder as well and is more likely to lead to stumbling if done barefoot. All dance shoes allow easy bending to get up onto your balls of your feet so aren't a disadvantage. Unless you like morphine I'd steer well clear of dancing barefoot. In my case, once bitten, twice shy.

Yuck

I do not want to see anyone feet. I couldn't watch Mark and Karen on Saturday

Allison got a lot of criticism for dancing in flat shoes as it made things a lot more difficult for herself.

Karen said in the VT that barefoot made it a lot harder to get technique and everything right so although from a non dancers pov you'd think barefoot or flats would be easier to dance with, in reality, I think the appropriate footwear really does make all the difference and aid the dancers.

I'm sure if we (as a species) hadn't messed with things we would have been better as intended, naked and barefoot! But we have and where dance is concerned, we've developed all sorts of movement beyond our natural comfort area (full circle to the pointe shoe discussion on the AT thread). I don't know enough to say why Latin shoes are generally higher than Ballroom shoes, or why Ballroom shoes are closed toe, yet Latin are sandals, but I'm sure there are scientific reasons.

Do you remember those individual toe running shoes that were popular a few years back? They were supposed to help to emulate barefoot running, because Western feet are too soft, and our terrain too concrete, and full of sharp objects to actually be able to function like the (I believe) Kenyan barefoot runners studied.

I didn't look closely at Mark and Karen, but I assume when SCD say "barefoot" they actually mean wearing those ugly little slipover things that put a suede sole under the balls of the feet, leaving the rest bare.

No, there were toes on display.

They show toes!

WARNING! DON"T CLICK IF YOU CAN"T STAND FEET!

http://www.planetdancedirect.co.uk/C...z-FootUndeez-1

I don't remember them. Do you mean they were like a glove but for feet? Did you ever try Jingas Betty? I loved them. They were so light and flexible that I could keep a pair in my handbag just in case of a dance opportunity!

I like it its differant

Nope, but I just googled them, they look pretty cool! I carry emergency £3 Primarni plimsolls for those last minute dance opportunities they are so cheaply made they have hardy any grip!

These are the running shoes (again, WARNING, DO NOT CLICK IF YOU CAN"T STAND FEET!) http://www.feetus.co.uk/footwear-c1/...KDPRoCwpDw_wcB

Oh dear you will have to close your eyes at Caroline and Pashas showdance then as they are dancing barefoot

dont know why on is close toe and one open (must ask parents they may know) but ballroom are lower to distribute weight evenly across the foot, whilst latin are higher to shift weight onto the ball of the foot

Nah it will be alright. The camera crew rarely keep the feet in shot. Why would anyone want to see feet in a dance show?

Ah, now I've got it - PRETEND bare feet, or 'faux' bare feet.

I don't get how it's anything great, personally. We've been wearing shoes for rather a long time, as a species.

Fine for whatever it's fine for I suppose. but when it's sort of 'faked' for 'contemporrrareeah', seems a trifle naff.

More risk of being stepped on or having your partner kick your toe maybe? Not that a dance shoe upper would give much protection. Maybe its just convention. Am I not right in thinking that for serious/formal ballroom and Latin shoes are either bronze or black?

I've never had any problems dancing latin or ballroom in pretty flat shoes though, but you do need flexibility in your ham strings and strong legs, and it's easier in heels. I've never had more than an one and three quarter for either. It's about balance and position, and that's about strength and technique.

Mark and Karen had no rhumba walks because it was crap, for example, I can do that without heels.