She was, but is now a highly sought after coach with Chris. Dancers worldwide travel to the Uk for lessons with them. She also lectures and judges.

Thanks for the info. Even my ignorant eye was drawn to her feet

She used to be. She coaches now. My dance teacher has had coaching sessions with her. She has some very interesting views on technique.


I know!


She does accentuate the rise in a waltz and get right up there on her toes. Not sure that is entirely because of the height difference though (Jennifer might know if it is more than normal).

Edit: just seen Jennifer has already replied

She is just the most perfect dancer in every way. So very strong too, wonderful core strength and balance, perfect posture and poise, fabulous feet. She with Chris (Hawkins) were my coaches until I stopped dancing just over a year ago. Wonderful, wonderful people. I was fortunate enough to be a guest at their beautiful wedding.

For those who have looked at the links that Ann has kindly provided, please note that a highly trained dancer with super skills will make it look so effortlessly natural, and easy as Jo clearly does( although it most certainly is not)....compared to the contrived and forced look of the pro dancers on SCD when dancing Ballroom ( ex Jo and Natalie)

Thanks for the replies Ann and Jennifer. It is refreshing to be able to see the whole of a couple's form when performing a standard ballroom dance. I could see the closing of the feet too, which is rare to spy on SCD ... for me at least! One a personal note, I'm doing power Pilates classes which use the reformer developed by Pilates himself. Virtually all the teachers are dancers and the feet and ankles are worked fully. This is important to me as I do not want fallen arches!

Sounds great Maggie, I have always done ankle and feet strengthening exercises as well as dancing, feet and ankles need to be super strong, pressing into the floor controlling everything you do.

I also use the reformer in Pilates, Maggie. Plus also that the machine that has the bar you can press down whilst standing (don't know what it is called).

One of the things I have noted from watching SCD (and it's pretty obvious really) is that what happens with feet on floor influences everything else - well almost everything!


Nice to hear you know what I'm on about! I'm not familiar with the other machine and so don't know what it is called either. What is its specific purpose?

Number 2 on this page: https://www.verywell.com/pilates-equ...ctures-4020322im

You can sit on it and do side bends or side to front twists. Or you can stand in front of it and push the bar down with one foot. Or you can lean forward and put your knee against the top seat and push the bar down with the foot (same leg). The latter is particulary good for ankles.

Re feet influencing body. Yes, there is an interaction between the two. (I was going to write a more detailed reply, but as both influence each other, I thought it might be a long response and then not explain it accurately anyway! )

Aah, I have seen that before but not had the opportunity to use one.