141 – Waltz

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

As I moved down the walkway that stretches over the dunes covered with sea oats, I noticed a pelican gliding in the air high above me. The wind is blowing in one direction, but I watched the pelican effortlessly glide back and forth – both with the wind and into the wind. Gliding and never a flap of the wings – a smooth glide as if it was having a good time.

At the waterline, I look across the water to notice other pelicans simply sitting on the water. They seem to be resting yet bobbing up and down with each passing wave that’s progressing toward shore. I see them best when they rise, but disappear as they fall – only to return with the rise of the next passing wave.

The Waltz – Bronze sculpture by Camille Claudel

One pelican gliding effortlessly in the wind. Others, sitting on the water – rising and falling to the rhythm of the waves. Gliding – rising-falling – rising-falling – graciously gliding. As a ballroom dancer, waltz immediately comes to mind – as does the challenge of creating a walk with my thoughts.

The waltz is a fun, elegant dance. While many people associate it with the simplicity of the box step. Truth be known, the waltz is not easy. Waltz is the dance non-dancers want to experience. Waltz music causes dancers to fill the floor like no other dance.

Waltz music is in 3/4 time (three beats per measure), and the only standard dance with that timing. Most dances are in 4/4 time. Good waltz music provides an easy-to-hear 1-2-3, 1-2-3 pattern, with the first beat that is heavier than the other two. A more pronounced first beat serves as the first word of a sentence. Sort of an accent starting the sequence.

I think of the initial boom igniting fireworks into the sky. A boom followed by the Pow that brightens the sky, then the spectator’s ahhhhh. 1-2-3 … Boom-Pow-Ahhhh … 1-2-3 …. Boom-Pow-Ahh. Then the dancers react to the music – low on the 1 – slowly rising on the 2 – lowering on the 3 … then staying low on the 1 to rise on the 2, then lower on the 3. 1-2-3 … Boom-Pow-Ahh … low-rise-fall. Yes, the beauty of waltz music.

Image from Dance Sport

Regardless of the place, the music sets a tone – a mood for the dancers to explore. Therefore, different dances are for different moods: Waltz music provides an opportunity for grace and elegance.

A country waltz has a place – that is, waltzing to country music. To me, that place is a bar or a barn, and the ballroom floor is neither. Ballroom waltz music is classy, elegant, and gracious. Ballroom waltz music and dance can transport dancers to another world.

Waltz is the long, slow breaths moving in and out of one’s body in a flow that is a mystical celebration of elegance and expression. Fluid, clean, and smooth. Slow, controlled, grand, and dreamy.

With long strides flowing to the rise and fall, some say the waltz is the mother of all dances – the poetry of dance – the queen of the ball.

Waltz is an artistic impression of the love for the dance, the music, the partner, or any combination of the three – and best when all three unite as one.

Waltz is a dream, a spirit-filled magical story that can transport two casually-dressed people dancing at a less-than-elegant venue to a grand ballroom – he dressed in a tux with tails – she in a flowing gown twirling with every turn.

Waltz is a timeless dance – a throwback to a time that has passed – a now moment with its subtle precision of shaping – the time of looking forward to the next dance of tomorrow.

Dance Waltz painting by Leonid Afremov

Waltz moves counterclockwise around the floor with long, controlled strides incorporating the rise and fall like the pelicans on the water with the fluidity of the gliding pelican. Whether an International Waltz with dancers staying in contact/hold, the American style breaking hold to spin, turn, and other steps, or the fast feet of a Viennese Waltz, the waltz is a positive expression of grace and goodness in the world.

Waltz – He is the calm, stately, and the one willing to serve as the frame for the picture she will paint. She is the poised painter, the center of enchantment, and the possessor of many brushes for painting a picture in motion.

Waltz – A dance starting with a straight back and neck while offering a left hand. Hands touch, then she takes position and arches her back onto the palm of his other hand.

Waltz – He and she seemingly looking away, but noticing the presence of the other. Waltz is ease – a desire – the smell of a rose.

Waltz is classy like a rose – a rose that is gracious, soft, layered, complex, enchanting, and complex. A rose is not just any flower. A waltz is not just any dance. Yet, both the rose and the waltz are different forms of elegant seduction – and both are timeless.

Waltz is a tribute to the glories of the rising and falling sun. In between the sun’s daily bookends, the sun radiates its light and warmth to our planet while waltz radiates intellect and grace 24-7-365 to a time and place. Waltz radiates through the synergy of the music, connection, timing, and chemistry between partners.

Waltz is the collective beam of light I see over the water on a cloudy day. The beams of light that break through a hole in the cloud cover. Those beams toward the horizon shine on two partners dancing into their bliss.

Image from Masterclass.com

In reality, life is like a waltz – a series of ups and downs – rises and falls. But unlike life, waltz’s rhythm is steady and predictable – an inspiration to be the best you can be and a chance to enjoy the moment.

I look toward the buildings away from the water to think of the gliding pelican I saw earlier – but none are soaring above. I turn to the water to find pelicans are no longer riding the rise and fall of the waves. I continue looking. Alas, I notice ahead the pelicans are now diving into the water for food. To me, that’s another dance.

I walk the beach to a steady rhythm, but without the rise and fall. Perhaps when my pace changes are like the music changing the dance. Nonetheless, I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about Waltz

• A Waltz for Lovers (a poem)
• Invitation to … Waltz (a photo)
• Waltz of Spirits (a poem)
• Viennese Waltz Formation (a short video)
• Josh Grobin sings and DTWS pros dance (a short video)
• From DTWS competition (a short video)

Next Post: Hold – Unsure, but hopefully Saturday or Sunday @ 1 AM (Eastern US)