Jonathan. Is there any Sway in a Spin in the Standard style of dancing. Would a Sway take a couple off balance.

"Is there any Sway in a Spin in the Standard style of dancing."

Not in the basic version, but yes, it plays an important role in many of the more advanced interpretations being performed to great effect by leading competitors.

"Would a Sway take a couple off balance."

Almost any movement in dance technically takes a couple off balance. The more important question is, would it disrupt their poise, or their SENSE of balance. And the answer to that is NO, not if it is properly coordinated with their movement.

The basic Spin Turn doesn't have any, but there's nothing that would prevent you from being able to add sway to Spins & Pivots. We do it all the time, in various combinations. I just don't recommend it for your next exam, if you know what I'm saying.

Jonathan

Is this right: I can dance a sway in a Spin turn to right and left? Right sway when rising on step 5 (Natural Spin Turn)?

There is a version of pivots with man's leftward (lady's rightward) sway, usually with a promenade shape. Common entries are (1) Inverted Tipple Chasse (man forward, lady back), or (2) the Outside Spin variation where the man sways to L on 2 and opens the lady to a promenade shape.

The Running Spin Turn is also often accompanied by leftward sway on steps 3-4. The sway actually begins to kick in slightly earlier, between steps 2-3.

As for a pivoting type of action with rightward sway, you may have heard of something called a Lunge Roll. It's probably most common in Tango (preceding the Stop Lock), but versions exist in Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep, too. Technically it's not a rightward sway that's held throughout the entire turn; You generally transfer weight to the RF (LF for lady), then commence sway. And mind you, this is not just any normal sway, a good lady will really lay this one out (hence the "Lunge"), pivoting all the while.

And here's another one: The Overturned Spin Turn to Turning Lock to R. It's not just a spin with straight rightward sway, however. Like the Lunge Roll, the sway starts kicking in mid-movement. Think of it as a smooth Lunge Roll with rise... The body is straight as you approach the RF, then sway begins once the weight begins transferring, and continues to increase as you move away from it and towards the next step. The rightward sway is then held through the beginning of the Turning Lock, straightening out between steps 2 & 3.

Regards,
Jonathan

"And here's another one: The Overturned Spin Turn to Turning Lock to R. It's not just a spin with straight rightward sway, however. Like the Lunge Roll, the sway starts kicking in mid-movement. Think of it as a smooth Lunge Roll with rise... The body is straight as you approach the RF, then sway begins once the weight begins transferring, and continues to increase as you move away from it and towards the next step. The rightward sway is then held through the beginning of the Turning Lock, straightening out between steps 2 & 3."

Yes. And this plays an important role in linearizing the movement of the spin turn and turning lock, giving the overall grouping three clear line segments: The DW movement of the natural, the LOD movement of the spin turn and turning lock, and finally the DC movement of the promenade. If instead, the spin were interpreted as a sort of vertical pivot and then toe pivot, you'd tend to get the look of the partners going in circles round each other there, and loosing the clear sense of progression down the floor.

Do we Sway on a Spin. Is the actuall Spin a progresive step or is it stationary. We step into a Double Reverse Spin and we step out of a Double Reverse Spin. Do we Sway or move as the feet come together. not if you are dancing with me you dont. Pivots can have Sway and movement Spin i think not.
My comment on a Turning Lock after a Overturned Spin Turn. If as a man you sway to the right. Have you given any thought to the ladies steps throughout this barbaric action. They would have to Sway to the left. If you want to turn an established group into something it is not then don't call it a Turning Lock which should finish in promenade position diagnal to the centre for an entry into a Running Weave.
If there was any hint of a Sway on the Turning Lock it would be the other way around and not to the man's right..