Page:The Modern Dances (1914) Walker.djvu/14

 10 Do not sway the body or hunch up the shoulders.

Dance with a "soft" knee. By this I do not mean that one should have the appearance of jumping up and down. On the contrary, the shoulders should travel on a line as though there were pieces of glass on them, which must not be allowed to drop off. But do not keep the knees stiff. These dances are done with the limbs, not with the body, the weight being always on the ball of the foot.

In all figures where one foot is raised from the floor be careful to point the toes downward, for the sake of a graceful, easy appearance.

These dances are really very simple and should be learned very readily from the instructions given in the following pages. Regarding these instructions, I advise that they be observed in this manner: First, read all the instructions given for one figure. Second, if there is a diagram, study it carefully in the light of what you have read. Third, after reading the instructions and studying the diagram, practice the figure with the book before you. Fourth, practice with music. Fifth, practice with music and partner.