Thread: Dancing with Heels!

Trying this out for the first time and its hard! I feel like I can't feel the floor to dig in deep. My movements feel more "surface"
Anyone else felt this way when they were starting? Or is this what you generally feel when you dance with shoes??? ..c::

I think if your style is deeply ab centered..it is a hard transition. The center of gravity changes so much and the pelvic tuck is harder to achieve and maintain. On the other hand...my upper body becomes more fluid.

I just ordered my first pair of heels, so I'm following this thread very closely.

Which moves do you guys find to be the most challenging in heels? Which ones get easier?

Originally Posted by AngelicaDances

Trying this out for the first time and its hard! I feel like I can't feel the floor to dig in deep. My movements feel more "surface"
Anyone else felt this way when they were starting? Or is this what you generally feel when you dance with shoes??? ..c::

So when you say heels, are you using proper dance shoes?

http://www.dancingshoes.com.au/newyork1.htm

Im using ballroom shoes

I feel less grounded and earthy. I think Anala's description is right on with the way I'm feeling....

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Which moves do you guys find to be the most challenging in heels? Which ones get easier?

I just practiced with them for the first time for an hour so I can't say too much yet. I'm taking them with me to a dance class tonight and I'll be able to contribute more to the topic soon ..g.:

Turns are very different though. I feel less centered at the moment. But its probably b/c I haven't used them long enough yet!

Am curious to hear what other ppl have to say as well

Hi!
I feel the same way... Did my first presentation with heels and felt I could not dance as good as i used to...
Oh boy!!! turns are the most difficult to me!

this will build you up quickly..do Maias or figure eights down to the floor and back up again wearing heels...I do this nightly at the club and around the house, it's been almost four weeks and I'm noticing the quads hurt less and I'm gaining strength

Remember to keep your knees slightly bent

Shimmies, at least to me, seem easier with heels.

Floor work is a *****..get a heel stuck in your arse not fun

I'm on 3 inch heels right now, barely a nudge but I just purchased some chunk heels for go go dancing it's like walking on stilts

Did you figure out the straps?

The best advice I can give is to never put weight on your heels. Always dance on the balls of your feet with very supple, bent knees to keep your center of gravity low. I know, you already have a lower center of gravity, being petite, but this really helps. You can still lift your upper carriage while maintaining a very grounded lower body.

I thought I got away from having to dance in heels (just ended up going barefoot) until I started performing burlesque. NOT sexy w/o heels. I think performing Oriental dance in heels gives it another added dimension. The "restriction" actually affects dancing in a nice way.

i've found that choo choos are SUPER easy in heels!!!

Also wanted to add that the elevation gives your dancing a different feel. I thought I had gotten away from dancing in heels (and was happy to go back to barefoot) until I started performing burlesque. It contributed to a different movement energy, which I find appealing, in the appropriate context.

Okay, maybe it is all the years I performed in toe shoes, but I haven't found that there is that much a difference between flat and heels. Although I don't do a lot of really heavy, earthy stuff in heels - to contradictory - I don't notice that much of a difference.

Now, mind you, my shimmies change adn my back bends get deeper. but overall I have the attitude that Ginger did everything Fred did, but backwards and in heels.

remember to roll your pelvis forward, soften you knees so they act as shock absorbers and walk with the entire foot. This helps.

{{{HUGS}}}

I dance with dance shoes for class that have about 1" heel and dance with 2" heels with isis wings. I try to dance on the ball of my foot and only stand and walk with my whole foot. It was strongly recommended to wear flat dance shoes or ballroom dance shoes when dancing in a restaurant due to the possibility of broken glass on the floor.

Since I wear dance shoes with a bit of heel for class, I find it much easier to transition to heels. This is just my two bits worth.

So the verdict is in. Turns are a challenge because I feel my sense of gravity has shifted. Also, my hip drops feel less heavy than usual.

On the otherhand shimmies feel super smooth and fluid. And I like adding a bit of height to my small self!!

Overall Im feel that I can't trust the floor as much as I normally would so there is also some hesitation. But I imagine that will improve with time! Dancing on the balls of my foot is good advice and I'll try to be aware of that!

Thanks everyone! Would love to hear more!!

Originally Posted by Azhia

Did you figure out the straps?

Not yet ..c:: I just wrapped it in but I'm sure its not right ...

Originally Posted by Azhia

Did you figure out the straps?

Originally Posted by AngelicaDances

Not yet ..c:: I just wrapped it in but I'm sure its not right ...

Originally Posted by AngelicaDances

On the otherhand shimmies feel super smooth and fluid. And I like adding a bit of height to my small self!!
Dancing on the balls of my foot is good advice and I'll try to be aware of that!
Thanks everyone! Would love to hear more!!

I'm even a bit tinier than you so adding a bit of height when dancing definitely helps! ..l;,

Does your ballroom dance shoes fit well? I had to order 1/2 size down from my regular street shoes.

Do you have quick release buckle on your ballroom dance shoes? I have ordered conventional buckles from Tina Sargent and also bought one pair with quick release buckle (without asking ahead of time) on bhuz. However, the seller had already put together the straps for me once it arrived in the mail. Tina's Bold Expression shoes are custom-made and super comfy. You could choose conventional or quick release buckles. I prefer street soles. She also ships at a very reasonable price to Canada from Seattle, WA, USA. Her new email is: boldexpression03@gmail.com

I think I have at least 9 custom-made pairs from Tina and I am awaiting the whereabouts of my tenth pair.

Oh, with practice with shoes, you may eventually prefer wearing ballroom dance shoes when performing.

Angelica,

You have the quick release buckle. I will talk the rest step by step...

I wrap once around the ankle, like normal.

With the extra remaining strap, point it downwards (it will be on the outside of your foot and the buckle), glitter side away from you.

Point the tip of the strap upwards and pull it upwards behind the ankle strap and buckle (this extra strap now touches your ankle, and it is pointing upwards), glitter side now towards you.

Take that upward pointing strap, point it downwards again, and tuck it behind the strap that is part of the toe straps, not the ankle strap, it would run about halfway across your outer metatarsal, glitter side facing away from you again.

This keeps the strap out of the way and tucked so that the closure remains tight.

If this does not make any sense, I will be happy to show you...

Are you keeping them, then? ..g.:

I'm starting to dance more in shoes. So far I've been using flat sandals and even with those I don't have the ease of wearing no shoes but I know that in some places shoes are a must. I am also experimenting with heels but if I go on to use them on a regular basis and for long durations, then dancing shoes will be used, not other shoes.

I notice that while heels do complete the outfit, it does change the shape of your butt!

Are you using street soles or regular dance soles?
I use street soles and have yet to find too much of a difference. I also use short cuban style heels.

All I can say is: You gals are brave!

This is odd....I'm actually finding a lot of moves easier in heels! ..g.:

Then again, I do a lot of pivots and directional changes. And I practically live in 3.5-inch heels on a daily basis.

I find that dancing in nice shoes is making me even more mindful of my leg/foot positioning, which is a good thing!

I love dancing in heels, it keeps me honest about not putting too much weight on my heels. Plus I feel like they give a little extra elegance to the whole look.

When I don't want to use heels (a few venues I dance at have natural stone floors) I'll still wear a ballet slipper. After stepping on a hookah coal last summer I will never dance barefoot at a venue ever again.

I'm so happy there is a dance supply store near my house, their selection and prices on shoes are great.

I'm a ballroom dancer, so I started in heels and moved to barefoot for bellydance. Personally, if you have real ballroom shoes, there's a steel shank in the arch that runs through the heel. I feel totally comfortable with my weight on my heels some. The thing I notice most, when I watch dancers perform in heels,(especially if they are new to heels) they tend to not bend their knees. They look like barbies with legs stuck straight.
The Strap Thing?? I don't think I understand what you mean... Which shoes are they?
Feeling the Floor: make sure your shoes are nice and supple. They shouldn't be stiff. They should be flexible. The more the better... like slippers. Also, they should fit nice and snug. If they're too big, you'll feel the floor and not the shoe. And lastly.... just practice in them. you'll get used to them.

Originally Posted by jesennia

this will build you up quickly..do Maias or figure eights down to the floor and back up again wearing heels...I do this nightly at the club and around the house, it's been almost four weeks and I'm noticing the quads hurt less and I'm gaining strength

Remember to keep your knees slightly bent

Shimmies, at least to me, seem easier with heels.

Floor work is a *****..get a heel stuck in your arse not fun

I'm on 3 inch heels right now, barely a nudge but I just purchased some chunk heels for go go dancing it's like walking on stilts

I find shimmies more wiggly [in a good way] w heels. Doing mayas up & down level changes in fun in heels! I like to spin fast & do turns, these are harder in heels for me. I don't wear them that often so it's probably because I am not used it.
I like the elegant leggy feel of wearing heels, feel very queenly with traveling steps.
Good to practice & build up strength, guard against twisting your ankle, ouch!

I do not like dancing in heels. I've tried it again and again through the years. It definitely changes my center of gravity.

I'd prefer to dance barefoot, but sometimes that is just not a good idea. So I have several kinds of flat and almost flat shoes, including ballet slippers and jazz shoes.

I prefer to dance in heels, mostly because I am flat footed and knock-kneed and the shift in weight distribution makes me feel more stable with a small heel. I do spend most of my time dancing on the balls of my feet as well and don't put much weight on the heel. Practice in them frequently, on a variety of surfaces if you can, and you will become comfortable dancing in them. And yeah, shimmies are easier in heels! I also like the way they complete an outfit, I always find it a little jarring to look at a dancer in an excellent costume with perfectly coiffed hair and makeup....and bare feet.

I never noticed much difference when I transitioned from barefoot to wearing 3" heel ballroom shoes. Perhaps it is because I wear heels all the time in my non dance life. I find I feel my costume is "unfinished" without the shoes.

I've worn heels the last 3 of my 5 years dancing in restaurants....then last weekend I took them off and LOVED it. I think shoes do add elegance, but make sure you're comfortable dancing in them! I'm always a little less sturdy when I wear my ballroom shoes.

I don't like dancing in heels for bellydance. I wear stilletos every day but with bellydance theres just no way. I am super pettite so its already work for me to get big moves. I think they look beautiful and i wish i could cu zim so short but the way i dance combines about 7 seven different styles of bellydance so using my heels is very important when i incorporate tribal moves and such. I know what you mean about "not feeling the ground" so thats why i stick to flats with bd. For salsa i use dance shoes but the way one moves for salsa is nothing like bd so hence the heel use.:)