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  (Creative Commons photo by flickr-rickr)

Always do a full warm-up before and cool-down after dancing so that your body can get used to starting and stopping dancing and you may be able to prevent some injuries.

The waltz needs a lot of space, please check to make sure that you have enough space available and all items that you could fall over are safely put away before dancing.

Although this is a dance with a partner you may be able to practice many of the moves on your own in between dance partner sessions. For safety, if you are going to be holding something to represent your partner try to make sure it is something soft like a pillow in case you accidentally fall.

• Before you learn the steps of waltz, learn the basics of the dance.

1. Waltz, as most pair dances, is danced with one leader and one follower. It's as important that the leader is direct when leading as it is that the follower do not attempt to lead.
2. If you will be leading, hold your partner's right hand in your left hand. Place your left hand on your partner's upper back.
3. If you will be following, hold your partner's left hand in your right hand. Place your left arm on your partner's upper right arm, near the shoulder.
4. Make sure to keep enough distance to your partner and keep your arms firm. This enables the leader to lead and the follower to easily sense the leader's directions.
5. The count is one-two-three.

• The basic step of waltz is called the box, because the end result of the movement is a box. If you don't turn when completing the box, you should therefore end in the same location where you started. To move around the dance floor when waltzing you will need to turn when completing the box. The following are the directions for the leader when doing a box. The follower will follow by doing the opposite movement.

1. First, step forward with your left foot.
2. Step forward and to the right with your right foot.
3. Shift your weight to your right foot.
4. Slide your left foot so that it's next to the right.
5. Step back with the right foot.
6. Step back and to the left with the left foot. Shift weight to the left foot.
7. Slide your right foot toward your left foot.
8. You have now completed a box and short be in the same location as where you started.
9. The box is the main element of waltz. Repeat it until you know it well.

• Continue practicing and learn some additional steps.

1. Learn how to turn while doing the box, so that you can move around the dance floor instead of staying in one place.
2. Learn some additional steps, including progressive movement (to travel backwards or forwards on the dance floor), underarm turns and hesitations.
3. Watch people dance waltz to learn how to make the dance flow.
4. Rent or buy dance instruction videos for more lessons.
5. Make sure you practice to waltz music that has the right beat.