My partner and I have a very significant height difference. I am 6'2" and she is 5'2". Should I wear shoes without a cuban heel when we dance latin/rhythm? I have been looking and notice that in many of the top couples who have a similar height difference (for example, Mathew & Nicole Cutler) the man wears cuban heels anyway. My partner is adamant that the lower heel helps our connection, but I feel that I am losing something in my position and foot action with the lower heel? What are the advantages/disadvantages of wearing cuban heels for latin? And do the advantages of cuban heels outweigh the disadvantages of another inch in height difference?

I think we could add that in all Latin, the body moves before the feet do. Having one's weight more forward with Latin shoes helps, and also helps accentuate Latin hip motion - though they are not necessary for either.

I've found that a number of shorter men also use Latin shoes for smooth/standard, to "keep weight forward" and "to gain a bit of height" - and as a shorter man, I've found this to be a bad idea & dance much better (in standard) with the right shoes on. At a social, when you never know what is playing next, it's pretty awkward to keep changing shoes, and I'd rather do without Latin shoes in social Latin than do without ballroom oxfords in smooth/standard, becuase doing these dances well is important to me. Your mileage may vary.

I suggest the cuban heels, to keep your weight from setteling backward into your heels. The height ratio is less important in Rhythm and Latin because of the distance kept between the couple. If your partner is complaining about the connection...then change and fix the connection...not the shoes!

Larinda

[This message has been edited by Larinda McRaven (edited 11-21-2000).]