Move · Videos · Technique · 8 min

Viennese Waltz for Beginners: Natural Turns and Side Steps

Viennese Waltz for Beginners: Natural Turns and Side Steps — video by Egils Smagris Play · 7:41

Video by Egils Smagris on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Egils Smagris, a former Latvian ballroom champion who has taught for over 25 years, shows the easiest way into the Viennese waltz: natural turns mixed with side steps so you don't get dizzy, then reverse turns and a short practice routine.

  • 8 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Ballroom

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 6

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  1. Natural box: man forward on the right foot, lady back on the left, turning right on 1, 2, 3. 1:08
  2. Add side steps without turn so you don't get dizzy. 1:46
  3. Combine four natural turns with four side steps. 2:18
  4. Dance it around the room, letting the side steps travel slightly along the line of dance. 2:54
  5. Reverse box: man starts on the left foot turning left; the third forward step crosses. 4:31
  6. Practice routine: four natural turns, a closed change, four reverse turns, a closed change. 5:42

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Man starts forward on the right foot, lady back on the left, counting 1, 2, 3
  • Add side steps without turn between natural turns to avoid getting dizzy
  • In the reverse turn the third step crosses on the forward half

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesturning box steps, side steps
  • Knees movescontinuous natural and reverse turns
  • Ankles & feet movesforward, side, close steps, crosses

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Egils Smagris; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety