Thread: I'm afraid to dance with heels! But I want too!

Anyone out there that can give me tips for dancing with heels? I especially have problems turning with heels and fear that they will get caught in my costume (I like my costumes long). Do I need to have a special set of costumes that I only dance with heels on (So my heels do not get caught in them)? Should I get practice heels?

if you dance in releve already, you shouldn't have a problem, when they're flat for the more earthy shimmies, you'll see a 'freeing' of your hips, but do be careful to maintain your posture and alignment and elevation..............you DO need to practice in heels............you'll actually find the elevation won't put the hem down so low it'll catch, so heels on their own may keep you from ruining the hem................

i do most of my turns on the balls of my feet, so the heels don't get in the way there either

is there anyone in your area you know and admire that performs in heels? they may be of great help

the best shoes for this are ballroom...............

Heels, heels, heels...you needn't be afraid as long as you practice in 'em! My golden rules for choosing dancing shoes are:

- Snug fit. I usually buy 1/2 size smaller than my regular street shoe size so they my feet don't slip around.
- If not a snug court-shoe, strappy shoes should (a) have straps across both the front and back of the ankle, (b) front ankle strap should join to the bit going across the toe (c) a strip should also join the ankle strap to the shoe base.
- If possible, get a squared heel. Even if it's narrow at the top, a flared bottom of the heel is more stable than a stiletto
- Don't go too high! It's especially hard to raise up onto your toes for certain moves if the heel is too high.

I personally prefer buying dress shoes to ballroom shoes - they are cheaper, and the soles are sturdier than the suede on ballroom dancing shoes (esp. if dancing outdoors or on carpet). I prefer my soles to have more grip rather than less. Just be careful of grippy heels on carpet - don't try to spin or you might twist your knee when your shoes grip!

For dancing in heels - practice basic moves in them and feel how you need to adjust your posture. I find shimmies harder to sustain in heels (as my legs are straighter), but it's easier to lean back or bob down - moves in which I'd usually have to raise my heels and balance on my toes.

Dance on the balls of your foot for travelling moves and turns, so the heels don't grip too much.

As for putting heels through hems - this can be a big problem if you have a hem that's been decorated. Those full circle skirts with sequinned and wired edges can really catch! Practice in costume to check for any likely issues.

Practice, practice, practice, especially if you are like me and not used to wearing heels in everyday shoes. Also make sure you do lots of calf, Achilles tendon, and foot stretching.

Go to a dance store that has a hard floor or small area to try out shimmies and turns in the heels. Will cost more than ordering online but get the right fit and the shoe you feel best in.

Get the fit and then you can paint or dye the does to the color you want. Even tan shoes can sparkle with a spray of glitter. Tan synthetic character shoes take metallic spray paints very well and look great. Check out second hand stores for some old fashioned rhinestone shoe clips to glam up plain shoes.

For street shoes and character shoes with hard soles, take to a shoe repair place and have Cats Paw soles put on so that you won't slide around. Ballroom shoes and Pedinis already have a nonslip sole.

My most comfortable heels are actually Flamenco shoes. Flamenco is rough on the feet so the shoes are really padded and comfy.

Souzan

Be careful, wearing heels throws your spine out of alignment causing your lower back to arch.

I guess when I am turning I get confused. Do the back of my heels still leave the ground or do they stay on the ground? I am lifting them off the ground in a more releve.

i always turn in releve, my heels don't normally hit the ground in a turn

Originally Posted by ruta21030

i always turn in releve, my heels don't normally hit the ground in a turn

Yes, I always turn in releve but it is odd for me with the high heels on. I want to keep the bottom of my high heel on the ground. I'll have to practice! I've been requested to wear heels at a BD party mid September.

Originally Posted by Reinaa

I guess when I am turning I get confused. Do the back of my heels still leave the ground or do they stay on the ground? I am lifting them off the ground in a more releve.

Yes, lift them.

If you can walk in heels, you can dance in heels. If you can go into a higher releve and take the heels off the floor, and you can keep them on your feet, you can dance in them.

hi guys
this might be a stupid question
but is dancing with heels dangerous?
i see didem dancing in heels. what do u think?

can i dance in barefoot instead? sorry for this spamm arghhhhh :(

dancing in heels is not dangerous as long as you maintain proper alignment, proper posture, have strong ankles and experience.....if people can do it in clubs, but for a BD performance, it's best to dance in not much higher than 2 1/2 inches......where you can still dance comfortably, elevate enuf in releve to avoid the heel catching and still have a solid foundation for flatter moves

many famous dancers have danced/still dance in heels and most lebanese practitioners are rarely seen without them..........

for some patrons, it's a matter of appearance.........you're wearing a costume that looks like a blingy tricked-out evening gown, and going barefoot would be.......odd, for some dancers it's appearance, combined with safety (glass, sharp bits, uneven stage with splinters) and yet others to keep their feet clean and safe and still maintain an image..........

since i started wearing heels, one of my collegues (sp) had commented that my hips freed up for shimmies..........as long as you maintain posture and alignment, they can be an enhancement

Hey, very timely, I was just about to order some dance shoes online. I FINALLY found some shiny gold ones (and silver!) that are pretty, actual sturdy dance shoes, very low heel, open toe, and PRETTY! But i'm buying them online and having trouble deciding on size. Do dance (ballroom heels) tend to run big or small? I go between 8 and 8.5 in normal dress heels but I dnt want my feet so scrunched in they get hurt but I don't want my feet slipping around! ..c:: help?

So glad I'm not the only one. I have the same fears about dancing in heals, but I'm a pro in walking in them. Practicing this is going to be interesting.

This thread prompted me to finish an article I'd half-written for my students...on dancing in shoes. Here it is, including a photo of the type of heels I personally like to dance in: Jewel Bellydance - Belly dance classes melbourne Australia ::: Articles
(scroll down to the file 'How to Buy Shoes and Bellydance in Heels').
:) Jewel

Level changes and turns I think are easier in ballroom shoes, but it's hard to practice in them at home because we have carpet.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

This thread prompted me to finish an article I'd half-written for my students...on dancing in shoes. Here it is, including a photo of the type of heels I personally like to dance in: Jewel Bellydance - Belly dance classes melbourne Australia ::: Articles
(scroll down to the file 'How to Buy Shoes and Bellydance in Heels').
:) Jewel

I just wanted to say that I love your articles! Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

I am also scared of dancing in heels. I walk okay in them (better when drinking oddly enough) but I tend to tip over when spinning in bare feet let alone in heels. I suppose it is just a matter of practicing. I think that it is okay to not dance in heels. I would think it is a matter of preference (unless it is a requirement for a job). When dancing outside I just wear Hermes sandals to protect my feet.

Just practice in them. I've danced in character shoes and heeled tap shoes my whole life, so I thought it would be a snap to bellydance in heels - the first time I did so was at a wedding where I was performing! I looked fine to the audience, but I felt totally "off" because I was not used to adjusting my moves to compensate for the fact that I was *always* on releve. It just takes some getting used to.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

I just wanted to say that I love your articles! Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Oh, thank you! I love the internet - lots of self-publishing opportunities for us frustrated writers.