Learn how to beautifully dance
the natural Turn
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Natural Turn in the Slow Foxtrot.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources, as well as a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Natural Turn!
The Natural Turn is usually a bronze level Foxtrot figure. For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Foxtrot.
Natural Turn (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 | DW | com to turn R | rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF to side | T | Backing DC | DW | 1/4 (1→2) | R | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | 1/8 (2→3) | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 56 | S | LF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | com to turn R | Closed | |||
| 5 | 78 | S | RF to side, small step (heel pull) | H to i/e of Foot to Flat | Facing DC | DW | 3/8 (4→5) | L | Closed | ||
| 6 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing Dc | DC | Body turn to L | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
- may be commenced facing LOD and turned an additional 1/8 between 1-2 to end at normal alignment
Natural Turn (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF back | T H | Backing DW | 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 fwd | T H | Facing LOD | LOD | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | ||
| 4 | 56 | S | RF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | com to turn R | Closed | |||
| 5 | 78 | S | LF to side, then brush RF to LF | T H | Backing DC | DW | 3/8 (4→5) | R | Closed | ||
| 6 | 12 | S | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | Body turn to L | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
- may be commenced backing LOD and turned an additional 1/8 between 1-2 to end at the normal alignment
General Notes
The amount of turn between 4-5 may be decreased at a corner
Alternate timings for steps 4-6 may be used including: SS(S) and SQQ
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DW (as described above)
| Bronze | Natural Turn (at a corner) Three Step Change of Direction (at a corner) |
| Silver | Closed Telemark Hover Telemark (at a corner) Reverse Wave (at a corner) |
Commenced facing LOD
| Bronze | Natural Turn (at a corner) Three Step Change of Direction (at a corner) |
| Silver | Reverse Wave (at a corner) |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (along side, as described above)
| Bronze | Feather Step |
Ended Facing new LOD (into a corner)
(having turned only 1/4 between 4-5)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended Facing DW of new LOD (at a corner)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
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 i/e: inside edge |
| 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
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Natural Turn 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”.