Why You Look Stiff When You Dance (And How to Fix It)

Do you feel stiff, awkward, or disconnected when you dance? One of the biggest mistakes dancers make is focusing only on their feet while forgetting the upper body. Your posture, chest, shoulders, arms, elbows, palms, and fingers all shape how your dancing feels and how it is perceived by others. ✨ Want to dance with more confidence, groove, and expression? 🚀 Start here: https://go.secretsofsolo.com/atrain Solo jazz and swing dance styles are often seen as footwork-driven, leading dancers to focus primarily on where their feet land, on what beat, and how to execute precise rhythms. But in doing so, many overlook one of the most essential aspects of dance—the upper body. Your arms, chest, shoulders, and hands are not just extras—they are your presence, your expression, your projection into the world. I always tell my students: “Not only feet!” I want you to ask yourself: What are my arms doing? Is my chest open and engaged? Is my upper body alive, present, and expressive? In this video, I’ll break down 4 essential keys to improving your basic posture, upper body control, and arm positioning in solo jazz dance so that your dance feels effortless, expressive, and fully connected. 👉 Watch next: 3 Secrets to Expressive Arms in Solo Jazz Dance    • Видео   Content: 00:00 - Intro 00:12 - Shoulders & Chest 00:44 - Lower back and Tailbone :) 01:23 - The Arms 02:07 - The Elbows 02:44 - The Palms 03:24 - Let's dance! Practice with me to the full song 🎥 Take this 9 minute warm up to prepare your arms and upper body for the dance 👉    • 8-Minute Arm & Shoulder Warm-Up for Dancer...   🔗 Deepen your learning with my full course ‘Jazz Arms’: 👉 https://secretsofsolo.com/course/jazz... 🔥 LET’S CONNECT! 📸 Instagram →   / secrets_of_solo   📘 Facebook →   / secretsofsolo   🔔 Like this video? Help me spread the joy of jazz LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE! 🎶✨ 🤔 What is your biggest challenge when it comes to posture and arms in jazz dance? I’d love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment below and let’s chat! ⬇️ #SoloJazz #SwingDance #CharlestonDance #AuthenticJazz #LindyHop #JazzDance