Learn how to beautifully dance
the Natural telemark
Silver Level Figure. Smooth heel turn transitioning to an open position with controlled sway.
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The Natural Telemark elegantly blends rotation and progression, essential for maintaining flow in Foxtrot’s Silver syllabus. Its heel turn and open finish allow seamless transitions into figures like the Hover Feather, embodying the dance’s signature glide. Like a river curving around a bend, this figure merges power and grace without breaking momentum.
For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, see Foxtrot Figure List.
Natural Telemark (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DC | com to turn R | Rise e/o 1 | Closed |
Step 1 (S: RF forward)
Commence facing diagonal wall, stepping forward on the right foot with heel-toe footwork, using slight right-side leading and contra body movement to initiate a right turn. Rise smoothly at the end of the beat while maintaining neutral sway, ensuring the left shoulder stays connected to the partner. Keep the frame stable and head poised slightly left, allowing the body flight to flow diagonally down the line of dance. Focus on stretching the right side to lead the heel turn while keeping the upper body calm and collected.
Step 2 (Q: LF to side)
Turn a quarter right between steps to back diagonal center, placing the left foot to the side with toe footwork and right sway. Continue rising, rotating through the feet without rushing, and sustain gentle contra body movement. The frame remains expansive, head turned left, with body flight arcing diagonally to preserve momentum. Ensure rotation originates from the feet to avoid upper-body tension and maintain fluid connection.
Step 3 (Q: RF to side, small step)
Complete a half right turn to face diagonal center, taking a small side step with the right foot on toe, while neutralizing sway. Compress into the right knee without lowering the heel, extending the left side to prepare for the next step. Head turns slightly left as body flight curves toward the center, with frame connection feeling resilient yet yielding. Keep the step compact to control rotation and prevent overbalancing.
Step 4 (Q: LF diagonal forward)
Step forward diagonally on the left foot toward diagonal center, toe first, with left-side leading and strong right sway to enhance body turn. Rise fully, using the sway to create elegant opposition between the hips and shoulders. The frame stays firm, head turned left, while body flight sweeps fluidly into the open position. Lead the lady into outside position by guiding her with the right side of your torso.
Step 5 (Q: RF forward in CBMP)
Step forward in contra body movement position outside partner on the right foot (toe-heel), maintaining right sway, and lower at the end of the beat. Sustain body turn to align toward line of dance, ensuring hips follow the upper body. Frame remains supportive, head turned left, with flight directed toward diagonal center. Lower smoothly through the knees to absorb momentum and prepare for the next figure.
Natural Telemark (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF back | T H | Backing LOD | DW | com to turn R | rise slightly e/o 1. NFR | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF closes to LF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | Under Body | 3/8 (1→2) | L | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side, the RF brush toward LF | T | Facing LOD | DW | 3/8 (2→3) | Up. | Closed | ||
| 4 | 5 | Q | RF diag back, R side leading | T H | Backing DC | DC | Body turns to R | L | Up | Closed | |
| 5 | 6 | Q | LF Back in CBMP | T H | Backing DC | DC | L | Up. NFR Lower e/o 5 | OP |
Step 1 (S: LF back)
Start backing diagonal wall, stepping back on the left foot with toe-heel footwork, rising slightly using no foot rise as contra body movement initiates a right turn. Maintain neutral sway and stretch through the right shoulder, avoiding leaning backward. Keep the frame responsive, head turned right, with body flight extending diagonally down the line of dance. Resist bending the upper body back—stretch forward from the hips to stay balanced.
Step 2 (Q: RF closes to LF, Heel Turn)
Pivot three-eighths right to face diagonal center, closing the right foot to the left with heel-toe footwork and left sway. Continue rising, rotating fully on the heel to avoid “jumping” the turn. Frame stays connected, head turned sharply right, while body flight curves smoothly toward the center. Use the left heel as an anchor point to control rotation without losing poise.
Step 3 (Q: LF to side)
Step side on the left toe, brushing the right foot toward the left, turning three-eighths right to back diagonal center with neutral sway. Shift weight decisively to the left foot, compressing the knee while keeping the right foot light. Head weight shifts left as body flight arcs diagonally, frame feeling taut yet flexible. Delay the head turn to enhance sway and create a striking line.
Step 4 (Q: RF diagonal back)
Step back diagonally on the right foot with toe-heel footwork, right-side leading and left sway, skimming the left foot under the body. Sustain rise, allowing the body turn to align toward diagonal center. Frame remains engaged, head turned left, with flight flowing backward without hesitation. Keep the step small to maintain connection and prevent gaping.
Step 5 (Q: LF back in CBMP)
Step back in contra body movement position on the left foot (toe-heel), releasing the right toe, with left sway and lowering at the end of the beat. Hold neutral sway as flight continues toward diagonal center, hips aligned under the shoulders. Frame stays consistent, head turned left, ensuring harmony with the leader’s outside position. Lower gracefully through the ankles to achieve seamless transition.
General Notes
Core Points
- Heel-toe footwork on the leader’s first step ensures controlled momentum for the heel turn.
- Quarter right turn between leader’s steps 1–2 maintains alignment and prevents overturning.
- Rise at step-ends (never during steps) creates Foxtrot’s signature “float.”
- Neutral sway on pivotal steps (e.g., step 3) stabilizes rotation.
- Small side step on leader’s step 3 balances turn efficiency and poise.
Advanced Elements
- Sustained right sway for the leader on steps 4–5 enhances body-line elegance.
- Follower’s delayed head turn on step 3 intensifies sway and visual appeal.
- Frame elasticity allows seamless transitions into open positions without jarring.
- Body flight curvature should mimic a parabola—sweeping, not angular.
| Common Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Leader rushes heel turn on step 2 | Complete turn via feet, not shoulders, for stability. |
| Follower lands heavily on heel turn | Rise through the ankle, not the hip, to control weight. |
| Couple over-rotates on step 3 | Limit turn to half rotation; align to diagonal center. |
| Rise collapses during step 4 | Strengthen knees and ankles to sustain elevation. |
| Sway dissolves in open position | Maintain right sway until lowering on step 5. |
| Frame stiffens during pivot | Keep shoulders fluid but connected, not rigid. |
| Steps 4–5 feel abrupt | Stretch timing to match “slow” beats for smoother flow. |
“Like a river curving around a ancient stone,
it marries power with grace in one unbroken journey.”
Preceding Figures
Commenced Facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Cross Hover Feather Natural Telemark Top Spin |
| Gold | Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing LOD
| Bronze | Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing DW
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Feather Step Reverse Turn & Feather Finish Basic Weave Natural Weave |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Feather Natural Telemark (at a corner) Top Spin Weave from Promenade |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Hover Telemark (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (along side of floor)
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Outside Swivel Reverse Wave Top Spin |
Ended Facing DW (into a corner)
| Bronze | Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Reverse Wave Top Spin |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
List of Abbreviations
| Timing | S: Slow Q: Quick |
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position i/e: inside edge |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations x
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Natural Telemark being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.
For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.