Chaines Turns are a universal dance turn with roots in Ballet

The term "Chaines," pronounced "Shennay" as in Chaines turns, comes from the French word for "Chain." It is a term used in ballet to describe a series of small, fast, linked turns usually performed in a series. (See Classical Ballet Technique by Gretchen Ward Warren, 1989, p.190).

A bit more on how to dance the Chaines turns:

In ballet, if the dancer is turning to the right down LOD, she (or he) starts with weight on the left foot, foot facing center and with her right shoulder leading down LOD.

1. She steps down LOD onto the right leg, and draws the left leg forward through 1st position (feet together and turned out).

2. She makes a quarter turn from the right leg, ending with her body facing wall.

3. She then transfers weight onto the left leg which is now the leading leg down LOD, still in 1st position.

4. She completes the turn on the left leg, and draws the other leg around in 5th position (feet crossed and turned out). Crossing the feet into 5th position at this point in the turn helps the dancer to rotate around.

5. She ends with left foot again facing center, shoulder leading down LOD, and she has done one full turn.

6. She can then step forward again onto the right leg for another turn or to end this figure.

So, technically, this is a step, turn, step. In a sense, you are spiraling to the right on the left leg with the feet very close together. When the turns are very fast, you can't really see the crossing of the feet into 5th position and the wrapping isn't so obvious, as it is in a slow spiral.

I suppose this could be called a Three-step Chaine turn. If more turns are made, those are Chaines turns.

Or you could say that a Chaine turn is a fast type of a Spiral turn.

Well, you asked for it! More than you ever wanted to know about Chaines turns!

- Janice Boles of the Paragon Ballroom

This was copied from http://www.dancesport.uk.com/tid-bits/issue147.htm

Special Event - Athletic Tape Demo

Hi Dancers,

As some of you know, I've been raving about Phiten products and the amazing results I've been feeling along with some of the other dancers of The Dance Lounge. A while ago, a student of mine told me about Phiten and it wasn't until I was desperate to alleviate the pain on the top of my foot (I'm sure you remember) that I was willing to try it out. After a few short hours, I noticed the pain had decreased significantly and I became hooked. Since then, I've been using their products and have felt a world of difference. I'm not trying to sell you anything so please don't get me wrong. I'm just letting you in on what has made my dancing days more enjoyable again.

Therefore, as a special to you dancers a representative from Phiten will be at the studio on Wednesday night at 7:00pm. She will be offering free taping demonstrations for all of the dancers who wish to try it out. She will not be selling anything; however, I believe you'll receive coupons and a starter kit. If you've been having any aches and pains - foot, shoulder, knee, etc., feel free to have her tape it up at your discretion and see if it works for you.

Click on the link below to read about the products. I can't relay the exact benefit...only that it's working for me. I wish all of you a happy and healthy dancing experience at all times.

Phiten Athletic Tape Demo

Representative: Young Sun

Wednesday @ 7:00pm

The Dance Lounge @ South End

No Charge

http://www.phitenusa.com/

-- See you on the dance floor!

June - Cha Cha Group Class Patterns

Cha Cha

1. Side Basic
2. Progressive Basic to Man's Pivot Turn Right
3. Shadow Progressive
4. Sweetheart to Outside Underarm Turn (left over right hand ending)
5. Cross Body Lead with Inside Underarm Turn (ends in a cross hand hold)
6. New Yorker w/ Back Flick
7. 2nd Position Breaks & Repeat side to side
8. Chaine Turn on the Cha Cha & 1 ending

Burn The Floor - Dance Lounge Event

Just some of The Dance Lounge dancers who attended this event. Unfortunately we couldn't round up everyone as some eager beavers already went inside.

BURN THE FLOOR EVENT

TDL members enjoyed an evening to remember of non-stop toe-taping, heart pounding, booty shaking dancing at Burn The Floor. The show sizzled as it opened with a pitch-black room and then directed spot-lights on individual dancers placed throughout the audience. The stage lit up with excitement as the first couple went to town with a Latin routine that was hotter than a jalapeno. The show was very different from the first Burn The Floor; much smaller in cast and not as flashy with the costumes (greatly missed). However, the dancers didn't disappoint with their passion for dance and non-stop energy. We were all enthused and inspired by the show and left feeling hot, hot, hot.

March Group Classes

Tuesdays:

Samba

1. Basic
2. Box
3. Balancete

East Coast Swing

1. Closed Basic
2. Apache Turn
3. Inside Underarm Check
4. American Spin (lead & follow spin)
5. Inside Underarm Pass
6. Basic / Hand Toss
7. Inside Turn w/ Double Overhead Wrap
8. Traveling Promenade

Wednesdays:

West Coast Swing

1. Starter Step
2. Send Out
3. 2 Sugar Push Basics
4. Inside Underarm Pass
5. Inside Underarm Pass / Lead Turns (hook turn right)
6. Overhead & Hip Push
7. Whip

Jitterbug

1. Tap Basic
2. Jig Kicks & Freeze
3. Underarm Release
4. Inside Underarm Turn
5. Circling Switches
6. Inside Underarm Turn
7. Open Basic to Inside Shadow Turn (follow turns left)
8. Shadow Charleston

Thursdays:

Rumba

1. Box
2. Underarm Turn
3. 2nd Position Breaks
4. 5th Position Breaks
5. Box
6. Promenade Swivels

Valentine's Day Tips

Blog: 6 Love-Centered Reminders for Valentine’s Day (and Every Day

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are 6 tips drawn from the wisdom of the masses. Do you agree? Disagree?

1. Think of love as an action, not a feeling. A feeling is something weget from someone, and when we stop getting it, we often change our behavior somehow. If we have to do something, or be a certain way, in order to receive love, that love is conditional. Instead, if you start thinking of love as the behavior itself, the reward becomes the feeling you get whenyou act a certain way, not when someone else acts a certain way. From How to Love Unconditionally.
2. Cherish any kind of lightheartedness in your life. Things like laughter, affection, and playfulness are fleeting. Once a relationship has degraded so that those things don’t spontaneously occur anymore, it’s very hard to get them back. You might know that from experience. So treat those moments with care. Don’t be the person who takes life too seriously, who doesn’t have time to have fun, or who has no sense of humor. From How to Be Thankful.
3. Decide whether you want to be right, or stay in this relationship. Stubbornly holding onto anger and defending a position which has resulted in a stalemate will only poison your relationship in the end. When neither of you will budge, both believing you’re in the right, one of you will have to make a move. From How to Fix a Huge Argument With Your Girlfriend.
4. Court the one you love. Pretend that you and the person just met, and you want the person to fall for you. What would you do to impress them? To win them over? The opposite of being romanced is being taken for granted. No one wants to feel like they’ve already been “caught” and it’s over and done with. Put on a show! Stay on your toes! From How to Be Romantic.
5. Make your loved one laugh. When you love someone, you love seeing them happy, and nothing exhibits happiness like genuine laughter. So, be laid back, lighthearted, and playful. See how many times in one day you can make the person smile or laugh. From How to Say I Love You Without Words.
6. When you apologize, take full responsibility for the offense. Admit that you were wrong emphatically, unreservedly, and immediately. An incomplete apology often feels more like an insult. Make it a point to avoid using the word “but”. (“I am sorry, but…” means “I am not sorry.”) From How to Apologize.

from http://blog.wikihow.com/2011/02/14/blog-6-love-centered-reminders-for-valentines-day-and-every-day/

I'm going to throw in my own #7.

7) Dance with your partner even if you feel silly doing it. Dancing increases the heart rate, creates blood flow and releases endorphins; so, it is a mood elevator. Doing this with someone you love will only increase the relationship bond and your experience on the floor. By the time the dance is over, you'll be surprised how much fun it actually can be.

Dancing at The Cicada Club

We had a blast going out dancing at The Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles. All of the students got out on the floor and danced into the wee small hours of the morning. The entire vibe of the place feels as though you've been time warped back to the 1940's. The dinner was fabulous, the band was incredible and deco was decolicious! Five Stars *****