In ballroom dancing, there exists the concept of leading and following, the former usually being done by the men while the latter by the women. Yet in the 21st century, when the concept of traditional gender roles is becoming obsolete, one might be discouraged by, or even resent, the concept of leading and following.

Leading and following paves the way for the formation of most traditional relationships in ballroom dancing, yet this concept is more than it sounds like. Today, the definition for leading and following is very much different from what it was before, and is a relationship that can be established by friendship and fun. Once you take ballroom dancing lessons, you can see how the idea of leading and following has changed.

Traditional Leading and Following

In ballroom dancing, the task of leading always falls to the men and following to the women. There is something very compelling about the sight of a trusting woman in the hands of a man in control, and ballroom dancing makes for a perfect opportunity to embrace these roles, which then leads to a perfectly-executed dance.

Traditionally, the men are tasked to control all the action and make their partner feel safe as he shows her off the dance floor. Women, meanwhile, provide the embellishments and the sexiness that adds personality and sultriness to their dance. There should, however, be a balance between the couple’s roles of leading and following.

Redefining Leading and Following

Leading and following happen perfectly when a man’s structure blends with a woman’s fluid texture, something that cannot be achieved by force. In simpler terms, a man mustn’t be too forceful in ballroom dancing, for their partners might feel uncomfortable, making it harder for the man to lead the way.

A good leader will not push his partner to follow his stride, but will instead adapt to his partner’s personal style. A good follower, meanwhile, knows how to add embellishments and everything that can make their dance more eye-catching without straying too far from the lead. Leaders transform without resorting to force, while followers are willing to conform without resisting.

Ultimately, however, the most important thing about ballroom dancing is to know how to have fun. Once you and your partner get the hang of the art of leading and following, enjoying yourselves in the dance floor will be easier to achieve. You can also learn how to properly lead or follow when you take lessons from dance studios in Duluth, MN, like Superior Ballroom Dance Studio.

Sources
Redefining Leading and Following in Ballroom Dancing, Dance Comp Review
Leading and Following, by Benoit Papineau, Dance Archives