This is the position you will maintain for the entirety of the dance. Make sure to always keep your back straight and your clasped hands strong. The polka is confident and carefree and your stance should reflect that.
Step forward with your left foot Meet your left foot with your right Go forward with the left foot again Step forward with the right foot (passing the left foot) Meet your right foot with your left Step forward with your right foot again. Voila! Think of it as full step, half step, half step. Full step, half step, half step. That first step is longer, followed by two shorter steps.
Step back with your right foot Meet your right foot with your left Go back with your left foot Step back with your left foot (passing the right foot) Meet your left foot with your right Step back with your left foot again. Boom! Finished. Again, remember that the first step is the largest, followed by two smaller steps. So it’s full step, half, half. Full step, half, half.
Polka is about having fun. Imagine those Eastern Europeans in their beer halls having the time of their lives doing it and let loose! Add your own flair however the music takes you.
Don’t change the alignment of your body. Keep your feet facing your partner and just move them right or left. Your back stays straight, your arms stay up, and you let your legs do the work.
Start with a basic polka. After a measure or two, the lead should starting turning forward and to his 2 o’ clock on his left, right, left, and then turn back (toward his 7 o’clock) on his right, left, right. That’s a right turn basic; the left is just turning the opposite way. A full 360-degree turn should be completed in 4 counts. Try doing several in a row! If you’re polkaing to the side, take 2 counts to do a 180-degree turn, flipping around, now facing the other direction. If you’re leading, you can whip your partner around and around and around. Just don’t get too dizzy!
If that was at all confusing, think of the tango. The two parties are facing each other, torsos held high, but their legs are moving to the side, driving them forward. It’s similar – but with fewer roses and dips.
You know those high knees your gym teacher made you do? It’s really just like that, only voluntary. For beats 1 and 3, just add a little pep to your step. It can be a lot more fun when you get into it!
Just for clarity’s sake, this is only in promenade pose. Using the same leg when your facing your partner will end up in you two playing a dancing game of bumper cars.
