Become an Ice Dancer
Beginning Instructional Ice Dance DVD Finally Available
A new "How to Ice Dance" DVD is now available to those interested in learning ice dancing.
Ice dancing is ballroom dancing on ice. What viewers see on television is free dance which is the athletic part of ice dancing. That part of ice dancing includes spins, twizzles, lifts, and complicated step sequences.
There is an entire part of ice dancing that many ice skating fans don't know about. Compulsory ice dancing is the part of ice dancing that does not include jumps and spins, but does include connecting steps skated to music. Compulsory ice dances can be done with or without a partner. Those who don't want to jump or spin can receive great pleasure from learning and mastering compulsory ice dance steps and patterns.
For several years, videos and DVDs have been available that show advanced ice dancing skills, but there has been a need for an instructional DVD that shows beginning compulsory ice dance techniques. Ice dancer, Cheryl Elton, has taken care of this need. Using her own funds, she has produced a "Learn to Ice Dance" DVD. The DVD was made available for purchase in November of 2007.
The goal of the "Learn to Ice Dance" is to encourage skaters of all ages to consider ice dancing. US Figure Skating Ice Dance Gold Medalists, Terry Levine and Mike Ricigliano, volunteered their ice dance and figure skating talents to demonstrate for the DVD.
The DVD teaches basic ice dance steps and introduces the viewer to ice dance terms. The ice dances that are taught include the Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues, Cha Cha, Swing Dance, and the Fiesta Tango. The Hickory Hoedown is also introduced. Some of the steps explained include progressives, swing rolls, chasses, mohawks, and three turns. The viewer will also learn about edges and lobes.
Due to restrictions on use of standard ice dance music,, original music is used in this instructional DVD. Each dance is shown in slow motion. The steps of each ice dance are broken down in easy to follow terms.
Ice dancing is a figure skating discipline that looks easy, but can be difficult. Ms. Elton has also put together a companion ebook: How to Become an Ice Dancer that will help anyone interested in learning more about ice dancing. The ebook gives details on equipment, learning ice skating basics, how to find instruction, and also gives recommendations on how to enjoy ice dancing.
Many say that Cheryl Elton has done a great service to the ice skating community by producing "Learn to Ice Dance." The DVD will not take the place of ice dancing lessons, but will help anyone wishing to explore that part of figure skating.
