I posted a similar message about a year ago when I had only been dancing for about a year.

I am 6'2" and my partner is 5'4" (almost 5'7" in heels). I had a lot of trouble dancing in contact because of the difference in our leg heights. But with a little more experience and a lot more practice (I'm also lucky that my partner is also a dance teacher) a lot of the problems have disappeared as we've grown comfortable dancing together.

The one thing I had to overcome was the urge to slouch to minimize our height difference (a habit I had anyway as a taller person). And I don't wear latin shoes. 8)

in latin its allowed to let man left, lady right arm relexed fall down. RELAXED !! no spasm hold at half heigh, let it fall down !!! .. either a correct hold or a relaxed hold. I use this while social dancing. BUT mans right arm is not relaxed down... still on ladys shoulder blade and please ladies be so kind to hold your left arm by yourself. I am sure your partner isnt Arnold Schwarzenegger....

Hi Mike! To be honest with you - I have seen pairs from which the male was 6'2" and the female 5'3" - sounds horrible but true! However, I have never seen better dancers and I must say that they look absolutely fabulous, regardless of their huge height-difference.

Personally I think that height isn't a very big issue concerning the way the pair presents itself on the dancefloor. Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that it's not important, but what makes a good dancer (and with that a pair that looks good on the dancefloor) is not the height, the steps or the model-like-face and/or figure... It's the chemistry between partners and the smile on their face that does the trick.

However, no matter what the chemistry is between dancepartners: posture IS a big issue. *I* am a very tiny person myself, and I have noticed that people whom I dance with hold me closer than others because that way it's easier to sway me around the floor! Not only does it look, but I also get to actually FLOAT And of course: hold those shoulders and arms up!

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - Horace

Dear Michelle,

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I will try to hold my partner closer and see if this will help.

Mike