Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Learning the steps
• Part 2 of 2: Adding Originality
• Tips
• What do you need
• Sources & Citations

Polka is a very funny Central European folk dance.In Russia, it is most often danced at balls and during ballroom dancing classes. Polka is a fast, dizzy and funny dance!

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Learning the steps

1. 1 Play some music appropriate for the polka. Polkas were written by such composers as Strauss, Smetana, Dvorak. However, there are also more modern compositions. Any internet radio site has polka music. If you haven't found one, almost any country music will suit you. An accordion is recommended for polka, but not necessary at all.
2. 2 Keep your partner in a classic position. The partner's left arm and the lady's right arm should be extended to the side at an angle at the height of the lady's shoulder. The partner's right hand should lie on the lady's left shoulder blade, and the lady's left hand should easily lie on the right male shoulder. Your position should be firm, not too weak, but not too strong.
   • This is the position in which you will remain throughout the entire dance. Make sure your back is straight and your arms are well held together. Polka is a confident and easy dance, and your posture should reflect that.
3. 3 Practice the dance leader's steps. There is no simpler dance in the world than a polka. Honestly, you only need to learn three types of step: with the right foot, with the left, and again with the right. Then you repeat the same combination of steps, but starting from the other leg. That's all! Follow the following combination of steps:
   • Step forward with your left foot.
   • Bring your right foot to your left.
   • Then step back with your left foot.
   • Step forward with your right foot (pushing it in front of your left).
   • Bring your left foot to your right.
   • Then step forward again with your right foot. Voila!
     • Thus, the whole combination includes a full step, half step, half step. And then again a full step, half step, half step. The first step is wider than the next two.
4. 4 Learn the steps of the follower. The steps of the lady do not differ from the steps of the gentleman. However, ladies should start the dance with the right foot back: back, together, back. Back together, back. Follow the following combination of steps:
   • Step back with your right foot.
   • Bring your left foot to your right.
   • Step back again with your right foot.
   • Step back with your left foot (moving it further than your right foot)
   • Bring your right foot to your left.
   • Step back with your left foot again.
     • It should also be remembered here that the first step is the widest, followed by two small steps. Full step, half step, half step. Full step, half step, half step.
5. 5 Take steps to the beat of the music. A polka usually has a march rhythm of 2 beats per measure. Right, left, right corresponds to the first and second lobes. Left, right, left - third and fourth beats. Thus, you should take three steps every two beats. If you don't have polka music on hand, any standard country music will do.
   • Polka is made to have fun. Imagine the décor of the shining halls of Eastern Europe centuries ago, add your own flavor to the dance, and enjoy.

Part 2 of 2: Adding Originality

1. 1 We dance the polka sideways. Performing the same three steps and standing in the same position with your partner, try the polka dance, stepping to the right or left. This technique will make your polka more perky and rhythmic. Try dancing back and forth, in a square, and then back and forth again.
   • Don't lose your posture. Keep your legs in a position towards your partner by simply moving them to the right or left. Keep your back straight with your arms raised. Leave work for your legs.
2. 2 Start spinning in a dance. What for? To make it more mesmerizing. You have already tried to dance the polka from right to left and forward and backward. It's time for a spin. The dance leader will decide in which direction the pair should rotate, to the right or to the left:
   • Start dancing a simple polka. After one or two beats, the leader should start rotating towards the left. To turn to the left, start the rotation in the opposite direction.A full 360 degree rotation must be performed in 4 counts. Try doing a few turns in a row!
   • If you are dancing sideways, rotate 180 degrees in two counts, then change direction and repeat the turn. If you lead the dance, you can spin your partner over and over. The main thing is to make sure that your head does not spin!
3. 3 Make turns without changing your torso position. When turning, each partner must rotate the foot closest to the arms attached to the partner by 90 degrees. In this case, the position of your torso must remain motionless.
   • If this gesture confuses you, consider tango. In this dance, the partners stand opposite each other, the torso is straightened and motionless, while the legs begin to move to the side. The polka is the same, but with a little less lunges.
4. 4 Add light jumps. When performing the dance in the above position, nothing interferes with your legs, and you can freely add a few light jumps to the dance. If your feet are not turned to move to the side, but are directed towards your partner, you may collide with your knees when trying to jump.
   • Remember the high bounces in PE class at school? So, in the polka, you need to perform just such jumps, only with a little more enthusiasm. On counts 1 and 3, add a slight bounce to your steps. You will definitely love it once you practice a little!
5. 5 Switch your legs. Moving to the side, you can change the order of the legs. Since there is nothing in front of them, both you and your partner can start walking with the outside or inside leg. This will help create an interesting dance pattern.
   • I would like to clarify once again that the variation of the legs is allowed only when moving to the side. If your legs are facing each other and you are moving forward and backward, changing legs is not a good idea, otherwise you risk being left without knees.

Tips

• Keep your steps small so that you don't step on each other's feet. It will also help you get tired less!
• The outline of your dance should run counterclockwise along the edge of the dance floor.

What do you need

• Dancing shoes
• Partner
• Open space

Sources & Citations

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVnfVUWiBTU
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y846w6PUmCw
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7svGl9L9AUY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_pHNevcQ9E