The polka is a fun paired dance that originates from the folk dances of Central and Eastern Europe. In the United States, polka is often performed among immigrant communities and in dance halls as a special dance, although many families in Europe associate polka with marriage. Polka is a fast, dizzying and fun dance!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Learning the Steps
Step 1. Play some polka music
Jimmy Sturr, Walter Ostanek and his band, and Brave Combo are three names whose work you can try listening to, but good radio websites on the internet also have Polka radio stations that will offer some great music. As an alternative, most country music also contains a nice polka beat. The accordion is a recommended instrument, but it doesn't have to be.
Step 2. Hold your partner in the standard position in the ballroom
The man's left hand and the woman's right hand should extend outward at an angle that places each hand at the same height as the woman's shoulder. Then the man's right hand should point toward the woman's left shoulder blade and the woman's left hand should be placed lightly on the man's shoulder. You should feel a strong connection, neither too soft nor too hard.
This is a position that you must maintain throughout the dance. Be sure to always keep your back straight with a firm grip. Polka is a dance full of confidence and fun and your attitude should reflect that
Step 3. Learn the steps of the person leading the dance
There are several dances that include basic dances such as the polka. The basic elements have 3 steps: right, left, right. After that, you repeat it on the other side: left, right, left. Just that! Here are the basics:
- Take a step forward with your left foot
- Align the left foot with the right foot
- Forward again with left foot
- Take a step forward with the right foot (over the left foot)
- Align the right foot and left foot
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Take another step forward with your right foot. That's it!
Think of this as a full step, a half step, and a half step. Full step, half step, half step. The first step is longer, then followed by two shorter steps
Step 4. Learn the steps of the person who does the dance
A woman's steps are the same as a man's, but begin with the right foot backwards: backward, parallel, backward. Backwards, parallels, backwards. Here are some more detailed steps:
- Step back with right foot
- Align the right foot and left foot
- Go back with left foot
- Take a step back with left foot (over right foot)
- Align the left foot and right foot
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Step back again with your left foot. Now! Finished.
Again, remember that the first step is the longest, followed by two shorter steps. So the point is full step, half step, and half step. Full step, half, half
Step 5. Perform the steps in synchrony with the music
Polka music usually contains a galloping rhythm of two beats per bar. Right, left, right correspond to 1 and 2. Left, right, left correspond to 3 and 4. That way, you should take three steps in every two beats. If you don't have polka music, most country music will do.
The essence of polka dance is to have fun. Just imagine Eastern Europeans in a tavern, having fun and being relaxed! Add your own personality wherever the music takes you
Part 2 of 2: Adding Dance Style
Step 1. Polka to the side
Using the same three-step motion and holding your partner in the same way, try a sideways polka dance. Compared to the step ball-change or little shuffle, maybe the movement looks more like a skip. This movement can have many small jumps and feel cheerful. Try stepping back and forth, in a square motion, then back and forth again.
Don't change the direction of your body. Keep your feet pointing toward your partner and only move them to the right and left. Your back should be straight, your arms up, and allow your legs to move
Step 2. Start spinning
Why? Because now it's time to add style. You've got the hang of front-to-back and side-to-side motion-and it's time to start spinning. The dance leader will determine whether the pair should turn right or left and both are the same idea:
- Start with a basic polka move. After a bar or two, the person leading the dance should start turning forwards and toward 2 o'clock on the left, right, left, then turning again (towards 7 o'clock) on the right, left, right sides. It's a basic spin to the right; rotation to the left is simply a circular motion in the opposite direction. 360 degree turn must be completed in 4 counts. Try doing a few moves in a row!
- If you're polka-dancing sideways, take a count of 2 to make a 180-degree turn, turn around, now facing the other way. If you're the one leading the dance, you can turn your partner around, then twist and turn. But don't make it too dizzy!
Step 3. Do it in promenade pose
This is a fancy term for opening your position. Instead of holding the partner in front of you, each can pull the foot closest to the clasped hand and rotate it 90 degrees. Your hands and chest should remain in the same position, but your feet should be facing forward.
If that's too confusing, imagine a tango dance. Everyone was facing each other, chest held high, but their legs moved to the side, guiding them. The polka is similar to that dance-but with less roses and a dip
Step 4. Add a little jump
If you do a polka dance in a promenade pose, then your legs are open and you can make a few jumps! Otherwise, your partner is right in front of you-jumping will only bring you and your partner's knees together. So take advantage of that open style and lift your knees higher with each step-and highest on the first full step of each round-which is called the 1st and 3rd beats.
You know the knee-up motion that your gym teacher taught you at school? Just like that, only at your own will. For beats 1 and 3, just add a little energy to your stride. It's more fun when you get used to it
Step 5. Change your legs
Again in promenade pose, occasionally you can switch legs using the other leg. Because the pose is open, you and your partner can start with the outside leg, start with the inside leg, or start with the opposite leg. This can create an interesting mirror effect that will not be present in other poses.
To be clear, this is only done in promenade pose. Using the same foot when you and your partner face each other will result in you dancing like in car bombs
Tips
- Keep your steps small so they don't step on each other. It will also prevent you from feeling exhausted!
- Always move around the edge of the dance floor in a counterclockwise motion.
