5 Benefits of the Viennese Waltz   

The Viennese Waltz originated in the late 1700s in Austria, heavily influenced by the dance styles of Germany and Austria. The original form of the Waltz (not to mention the oldest of the current ballroom dances!), it is actually twice as fast as the classic Slow Waltz we know so well today, with around 180 beats per minute. The basics of the dance have not changed much in more than two centuries.  

The Viennese Waltz consists of just three steps; Right turns (natural turns), Left turns (reverse turns) and Change steps. Like the Slow Waltz, it is danced in 3 beat timing, but at a much faster pace. The dancers are constantly turning, moving as a unit with one person leading and one following.  

Variations of the Viennese Waltz include International-style, which include additional steps such as fleckerls, left whisk, and canter pivots. American-style is another variation on the classic but gives the dancers much more freedom in movement and positioning.  

As you could imagine, when the dance first appeared in the late 18^th century it was met with much controversy. It was the first ballroom dance performed in the closed hold, which attracted a lot of negativity. Despite this the dance soon gained traction, particularly with the upper class. 

The techniques involved in Viennese Waltz are precise and provide great health benefits to the dancers.  

Below are 5 Benefits of the Viennese Waltz: 

Improve your Posture 

The stature for the Viennese Waltz is very specific, and good posture is crucial when performing the dance. Your hips, ribs, shoulders and head should be upright and in a lined-up position, with your ab muscled pulled. Your body should feel stretched and lifted. This position must be kept throughout the entirety of the dance.  

Practising maintaining this posture throughout a whole dance will train your body to do it naturally. After practising your Viennese Waltz, you will find your body straightening itself out in your everyday life. 

Good posture helps to reduce back pain, improve muscle functioning and gives you confidence.  

Improve your Balance and Co-ordination 

As the steps are so quick and precise, your brain must stay alert to stay in time with the music and think ahead about what step is next. The more you practise, the more you train your brain to co-ordinate with your body. Eventually you’ll be performing the complex footwork and constant rotations without having to focus too much on what to do next. 

The constant turning also promotes good balance, allowing you to train your body to stay upright and stable, which follows through into everyday life. Better balance means better control of your body, resulting in fewer falls and injuries. 

A Social Dance 

Though the Viennese Waltz is commonly danced competitively, it is also a social ballroom dance. It’s great fun learning the steps together as beginners, helping one another and congratulating each other when you finally nail it. If dancing in pairs, it is greatly satisfying moving as one unit, co-ordinating your movements to work as a team and create something spectacular.  

Improve Ankle Strength 

One element of the Viennese Waltz is the rise, predominately in the feet. This is where you rise onto the balls of your feet, during the second count as you are side stepping. This in turn will strengthen your calf muscles, which support the knee and ankle joint.  

The stronger your calf muscles are, the more support them can give to your joint, therefore preventing more injuries. This can be particularly beneficial when suffering from arthritis, and may reduce some of the pain experienced. 

Encourages Confidence 

The Waltz was originally created to allow women in ballgowns to dance without getting caught on their dress, and soon became a common dance amongst the elite. It is also one of the hardest dances to learn, prominent in worldwide dance competitions.  

Widely related to beautiful gowns, smart suits and glamorous ballrooms, it’s hard to not feel confident as you glide along to the graceful melodies! Plus, when you master the steps, you’ll feel like you can do anything! 

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.” – Wayne Dyer

Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC run weekly Keep Dancing classes, suitable for older adults across, Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Sandwell and online. Keep Dancing will teach you dances from around the world with no need for a dance partner. Find your nearest Keep Dancing class here.   

If you enjoyed reading 5 Benefits of the Viennese Waltz, you might want to consider reading 5 Benefits of Disco Dancing.

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Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and 5 Benefits of the Viennese Waltz and keep dancing!