I had a question about proper posture and framing when the man is significantly taller than the woman.
My wife is a few inches taller than me, and I believe it has always been beneficial for keeping good frame and posture for me. Most couples I watch or have instructed have been fairly close in height. However, I am instructing a couple in which the man is several inches taller and I have not encountered such a disparity in some time. How far down should the man bring his arms/elbows and how high up should the woman be framed to compensate? Anyone have a good tip, or is it something to not be so concerned about for a beginner?

As a very famous coach said.. " you can only dance to your own height ".. for social purposes, adjustments are fine.

dheun. The arms must come down to the shorter of the partnership. The left hand of the man should be at the shorter persons eye level. Common sense here. If the man being taller spreads his arms keeping them at his shoulder level. That could be way over the head of his partner. The right hand does not present much of a problem as long as the ladies armpit is on the mans wrist and the man still has a nice line across from elbow to elbow. Common fault here is dropping the right arm which gives a big side to the left and the other like a folded chicken wing. Even with normal sized people. Next time your out have a look and see how many right elbows are pointing to the floor.

That's a good explanation, especially keeping the left hand at the eye level of the shorter person. And yes, I do see the right elbows point down fairly often. I have had a few who tend to "water pump" with their left arm when doing the rise and fall of the waltz. When I am correcting that problem, it seems like the right elbow pointing to the floor occurs along with it. Left arm and elbow go up and down, right arm and elbow starts pointing to the floor. I'm surprised they don't fall over with that type of imbalance.

hi there dheun, i teach my couples this...the man's left arm is vertical, his hand is in line with his nose, his right hand is on the lady's back, just below her shoulder blade, fingertips touching her spine (fingers closed) the lady's right hand follows the shortest possible route to his left hand and her left hand rests lightly on his right arm(her hand at is shoulder). as far as posture goes... in ballroom, i suggest for beginners to keep their head,butt, and heels in one line. Both should pull up from the waist standing erect, the lady being slightly to the gent's right.

I doubt that there can be an exact rule regarding where the arms should be. Each of us are not built exactly the same. Add that to your partner whose length of her arms are different to the person next door. Then we come together. It will take a experience ballroom coach to make the adjustments.I will add this. One of the best dancers ever was longer from the elbow to the hand than the average. This allowed his partner much more room on her left side. I saw a low from the ground up shot of this couple. It was possible to get a clear view through the arms on the mans right side and see daylight . If i were to try this as a man, my right shoulder would be so far forward it would be out of line with the other.

I was taught to set my elbows to suit my own height and adjust for the lady with the forearm angle. Whatever posture you adopt, hold your frame and ask the lady to move out, your frame should look comfortable and natural (Of course you should ony do this during practice with a partner you know well).This applies througout all moves of the dance, remove the partner and your posture should be comfortable and natural.

I am glad I asked the original question, because this has been great feedback. So, I figured I would ask another question I have wondered about. I usually teach the man to put his right hand, with fingers together, on the inside point of the woman's shoulder blade -- using this as a trigger or signal point. Others have taught to keep the hand firm on the middle or upper middle of the woman's back, saying to do it on the shoulder blade only eliminates the need to use the whole arm in leading. I know you don't want to rely on the hands only in leading, but do others have a preference on where the man's right hand should be properly set? The shoulder blade seems to be an easy thing for beginners to understand and notice a difference.

Hi dheun, you're absolutely right, that position is most comfortable and effective, the gent will lead most properly like that, as will the lady follow most properly, taking the hand to the mid section wont give them such great results.

I favour the shoulder blade (but further round for Tango). Len Goodman tells a beginner's class that if the man cups the lady's shoulder blade in his hand and can feel the ladies bra strap under the tip of his middle finger, then his hand is in the right place.

I borrowed the idea, and usually get a good laugh by asking the men NOT to test the theory if they have only just met their partner, and if I'm too late, not to give the game away if their partners are found to be without!