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2 - The Victorian Polka

ImageAs with the Waltz, the key to the Polka is not exact placement of the feet, but staying on the beat.

With the Polka, the beat is no longer 3/4 but 4/4. There are four beats in every measure.

However, if you just look at the feet, they are doing something very similar to the Waltz, only with more spring in the step. The man steps out with his left foot, brings his right foot up behind and then steps again with his left -- he then shifts to the pivot step, starting on this right.

But wait! This is a three part step and there are four beats. How can this work?

The key to the Polka step timing is that each measure starts with a little hop. That hop takes up the first beat. It is often described as "AAAAnd-one-two-three, And-one-two-three".

Watch the video carefully and look for the hop that begins the dance.

In the Polka, the key to success is restraint. It can be a very fast, very vigorous dance, but your strides should start out small and contained, and your initial hop should be very small.

As you become more comfortable with the Polka step, you can start to extend your stride and give it more spring, but you will find it much easier to start with, and if your partner has shorter legs than you she will thank you, if you start with a very restrained sort of Polka.