A dance frame is much like a picture frame in that it is meant to hold the subject in a position that allows for optimal viewing. Creating the perfect dance frame is quite elementary and can be done without ever having danced a single step. The key ingredients are two people and a general conceptual understanding of four connection points.

Here you’ll find the four basic connection points that will enable you to create your frame. Once you are able to go through each one and understand them without question, you’ll find yourself getting in and out of frame just for fun to practice and build muscle memory. It is important to note that creating your dance frame while you are relaxed and stationary is a much different experience from maintaining the dance frame throughout a dance. You will find that a dance frame is easily created while standing in place, yet in motion, such as in dancing, the frame must be continuously adjusted to account for different dance positions, sudden weight changes, reductions in the number of connection points, or any number of other situations.

It’s time to start the hands-on portion of your learning experience. Literally—you and your dance partner are going to build your dance frame one connection point at a time. To do this, it is best to stand facing your partner with your feet about shoulder-width apart, with somewhere between one-and-a-half and three feet between the two of you. Check to make sure that you have soft knees. Try to smile and, most importantly, don’t forget to breathe!