How to Do the Waltz Box Step | Ballroom Dance

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Aaron: Hi guys, it's Aaron.

Kristina: And I'm Kristina.

Aaron: And we are professional dance instructors here in New York City, and today we're going to bringing you a series based on the waltz.

Kristina: So the first step we're going to do is the box step which is like the most common foundational step for everything you're going to learn in the waltz. So just a couple of things really quickly. The waltz is a smooth dance, which means it travels around the room in a counter-clockwise direction, so if you're ever anywhere where there are people dancing, just kind of take note of the direction that they're going and make sure you join in and go that same direction.

So we're going to start this pattern side by side. We're both going to begin with our left foot going forward. The girls just note that generally you will generally be starting this on your right foot going backward. So we're going to take our left foot. We have one step forward, one. Step to the side with your right foot, two. Close your left foot to your right foot, three. And then go ahead and take a step back on the right, side left, close right foot to left foot. So we have one, two, three, one two, three.

And so a note for this, if you've ever seen waltz dancing, there is a rise and fall to this dance, so the downbeat is on one so we're going to call it, in its most basic terms, going forward, down, up, up, down, up, up. And that's just a really basic way to kind of get you familiar with the rise and fall of the waltz. You can kind of try to add that in. So let's dance this with a partner.

So we're going to take our traditional dance hold, palm to palm, and then girls you're going to take your right hand and place it just below the shoulder. Gentlemen your left hand will be in her palm, right hand will be on her shoulder blade. So, another important note. When you set up, be slightly offset. So girls think about stepping slightly to the left. Guys, think about having her slightly to her right. That way you won't hit feet when you try to dance. So we have one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three. We can also take this basic step and we can rotate it to the left a little bit, so we'll show you that right now. And one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three. Now let's try that to some music.

[whiskeyeyedfool]

I learnt to waltz when I was twelve, I was taught by my mum. The waltz I learnt is different from this one, but I have to admit the gracefulness of this version is enthralling.~

[cherisekwok]

95% of the comments are about the neck of the dude.

[Killbayne]

Howcast: * makes educational video about how to do a waltz *
Everyone: necc

[carterjohnson]

This is one of the dances we learn at our local social ballroom swing club. Kinda awkward to do with friends as it relies heavily on direct eye contact, but it’s easy to just laugh and have conversations while dancing, which eases the tension.

[stephenphillips]

He isn't saying anything, just staring at her most of the time.

[candarus_collective]

I'm using this for a fic and it's very helpful! Thank you!

[snowdabird]

Mans got a great silhouette and posture

[hello-ypkz]

i havent danced in so long it feels nice to go back on what I've learned

[TheMwarrior]

Notice the amount of times he looks at her.

[DisneyFanatic]

Anyone else noticing she's confusing her right and left?

[starogre]

i might try this just because it sounds like i'm in a disney movie

[fadzerost]

After watching ballroom e youkoso... I kinda interested to learn dancing😂

[robGmailDoNotUse]

As feedback I am disappointed in this instruction approach. Why would both the woman and man instructor show the man's step in detail, and not show the woman's steps until dancing together. It's confusing (my opinion). I'm going to do a waltz with my daughter at her wedding, and I'm trying to find some instruction for her on a box step - and I am disappointed at the lack of decent video for the woman to learn from. You could have made this a good video by focusing on what the woman needs to know from her perspective rather than showing us the man's part with both of you doing the same thing. Once you start dancing together, the woman has to figure out what was never explained about her steps...

[rydiaofmist]

Doing this to the blue danube. Love it.

[kjnichols]

Random question: what is that music that you were dancing to? Sounds like the background bit on the Great British Baking Show

[chavezmitzkurtb.]

this is very helpful thank you so much from ph mabuhay pinoy noypi

[eohrazda]

Great video! Super helpful explanations!

[iuliadibu]

I'm sorry that omits the correct position soles, very important for ballroom dancing

[Lauracuono]

Thumbs up if you're here from Ballroom e Youkoso

[SamuelHeinrich]

Y'all are just talking about the dude's neck. But boy, his pants are longer than the Nile river