International Waltz: Twists And Turns

Step 1: Starting steps for the leader

To begin, start facing diagonally to any wall.

From here, step forward onto your right foot and take a quarter turn to step onto the left, and close the right foot in.

Then step back onto the left foot and hold your legs in this position. From here you're ready to start turning.

Here are the steps a little faster:

Front right, side left and close. Back left and hold.

Step 2: Starting steps for the follower

Step back onto your left foot, then take a quarter turn to step onto the right and close the left foot in. Finally, step forwards onto your right foot.

Here they are a little faster:

Back left, side right, and close. Forward right.

Step 3: The leader's turn

From your last position - you should be stood on your left foot with the right foot in front - take a quarter turn towards the right keeping your legs in the same position and your weight on the back foot. Then replace your weight onto the right foot.

Now take another quarter turn to the right, and replace your weight onto the left foot.

Practise the steps a little faster:

Turn right, turn and step back.

A quick tip to perfect this: try putting a piece of paper between your legs and dancing the steps without losing the paper! It demonstrates just how close you need to keep your legs together to achieve the correct turn.

Step 4: The follower's turn

Prepare yourself in the last position you ended in - with the right foot forwards. From here, take a quarter turn to step side onto your left foot. Now pivot on the left foot, brushing the right in to join it and step forwards onto the right.

Here they are a little faster:

Side left, turn, brush forward.

Step 5: Closing steps for the leader

To complete the sequence, step back onto the right foot, side onto the left and close the right foot in.

Now practise the steps a little faster:

Back right, side left and close.

Step 6: Closing steps for the follower

Step forwards onto the left foot, then side onto the right and close your left foot in to finish.

Practise a little faster:

Front left, side right and close.