Learn how to beautifully dance
the open telemark & Cross hesitation
The Open Telemark & Cross Hesitation is a Modern Waltz figure that transforms controlled rotation into an elegant promenade movement, followed by a moment of suspended partnership harmony. It serves as a versatile bridge between traveling steps and positional transitions, essential for fluid floorcraft and choreographic sophistication. Like a river curving seamlessly around a bend, this figure embodies the waltz’s timeless grace, merging momentum with poise in a single, continuous expression.
The Open Telemark followed by a Cross Hesitation is usually a silver level Modern Waltz figure. For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Open Telemark & Cross Hesitation (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Count | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | T H | Facing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | rise e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing LOD | DC | just under 3/8 (1→2) | L | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF to side | T H | Facing DW | LOD | just over 1/4 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd across in CBMP | H T | Pointing LOD | LOD | RF: 1/8 to L | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | ||
| 5 | 2 | LF closes to RF without weight | RF: T | Facing LOD | body completes turn | cont to rise | Closed | |||
| 6 | 3 | Hold Position | RF: T H | Backing against LOD | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Open Telemark (Count 1):
Begin facing Diagonal Centre, stepping forward onto the left foot with a heel lead, initiating a left turn using Contra Body Movement (CBM). Keep your left side as the turning axis, stretching diagonally toward your partner while maintaining a neutral sway. Rise smoothly at the end of the beat without foot rise, allowing natural elevation through the body. Apply subtle rotation through your frame to lead the lady’s heel turn, ensuring your shoulders remain level and your head stays poised toward the direction of travel. Focus on grounding through the standing leg to create stability, and keep your right side extended to support the lady’s movement. Maintain a strong but flexible frame to communicate the turn clearly, ensuring your movement flows without rigidity.
Open Telemark (Count 2):
Draw the right foot sideward along the Line of Dance, completing a precise 1/4 left turn between counts 1 and 2. Use the ball of the foot, rising fully while introducing gentle left sway as the body backs Line of Dance. Keep your hips aligned under the torso, avoiding any backward tilt, and sustain the rise through controlled ankle extension. Continue leading the lady’s heel turn with a consistent rotational energy, ensuring your left side remains forward to guide her into position. The sway should originate from the ankles, not the shoulders, preserving a straight spine. Harmonize your rise with the lady’s motion, using your frame to steer her into Promenade Position effortlessly.
Open Telemark (Count 3):
Step side-left and slightly forward into Promenade Position, pointing toward Diagonal Wall while your body faces the Wall. Lower to the toe-heel with controlled softness, completing 1/2 turn left between counts 2 and 3 (body turns slightly less). Return to neutral sway as you settle, keeping the upper body calm and elongated. Ensure your right foot maintains light contact with the floor, ready for the next step, and hold the lady securely in PP with a gentle forward poise. Finish with balanced weight and an open frame, creating a poised connection that invites fluid continuation.
Cross Hesitation (Count 1): Step forward with your right foot in promenade position and CBMP (Contra Body Movement Position), moving along line of dance with your body facing the wall and feet pointing diagonal wall. Use heel-toe footwork, starting rise at the end of the beat while maintaining neutral sway. Keep your frame stable as you initiate a subtle left turn with CBM, ensuring your right shoulder guides the lady without pushing her off balance. Focus on maintaining a firm yet flexible frame to support the lady’s movement while preparing for the turn.
Cross Hesitation (Count 2): Close your left foot to your right without taking weight, rising fully onto the toes of both feet as your body completes a left turn to face line of dance. Shift sway slightly right as your hips align with your partner, keeping your upper body upright and left side extended. Avoid rushing the turn; let it unfold smoothly through controlled rotation in the ankles and knees. Ensure your frame remains connected to the lady’s, using gentle right-side lead to guide her closing action.
Cross Hesitation (Count 3): Hold your position with weight on the right foot, lowering to the whole foot at the end of the beat while sustaining slight right sway. Your body now faces line of dance, poised to step back outside partner. Keep your left foot lightly touching the floor, knees soft to absorb momentum. This hesitation step is where musicality shines—linger without stiffness. Maintain gentle pressure through your right hand to stabilize the lady’s turn while elongating your spine for a poised finish.
Open Telemark & Cross Hesitation (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Count | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | rise slightly e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | DC | 3/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF to side | T H | Facing DC | LOD | 3/8 (2→3) body turns more | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | LF fwd & across in CBMP | H T | Facing DC | LOD | 4 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | |
| 5 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing DW | LOD | 1/4 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | PP | |
| 6 | 3 | LF closes to RF | T H | Facing against LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | L | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Count 1 (RF back):
Starting backing Diagonal Centre, step back onto the right foot (toe-heel), using CBM to initiate the left turn while rising slightly at the end of the beat without foot rise. Keep your spine centered over the supporting leg, with neutral sway and a soft forward reach through the shoulders. Feel the man’s lead guiding your heel turn, resisting the urge to overturn by maintaining controlled rotation. Your left side should stretch toward the man’s right side, creating a shared axis for the turn. Trust the man’s frame to direct your momentum, staying connected through the torso without collapsing forward.
Count 2 (LF closes to RF for Heel Turn):
Close the left foot to the right, pivoting 3/8 left on the heel to face Line of Dance, continuing to rise with right sway. Keep your weight centered over the heel turn, with knees softly flexed and hips aligned under the ribcage. Your head should follow the turn naturally, ending with a gentle leftward gaze. Sustain elevation through the ankles and calves, avoiding any sudden lifting of the shoulders. Anchor the heel turn with controlled rotation, matching the man’s sway to create unified balance.
Count 3 (RF diagonally forward in PP):
Step diagonally forward-right into Promenade Position, pointing toward Line of Dance with your right side leading. Land on the toe-heel, lowering smoothly at the end of the beat with neutral sway and minimal body turn. Extend your left side toward the man, creating a graceful arc from hip to fingertips, while keeping your head tilted slightly left. Ensure your weight transfers fully onto the right foot, ready to move forward. Embrace the open position with a luminous upper body line, allowing the man to steer your path.
Count 4 (Beat 1): Step forward and across with your left foot in promenade position and CBMP, moving along line of dance with your body facing center and feet pointing diagonal center. Use heel-toe footwork, starting rise at the end of the beat while engaging CBM for a subtle left turn. Keep your right shoulder connected to the man’s frame, avoiding any backward “peeling” away from him. Stay grounded through your core to prevent over-rotation, moving diagonally toward the man’s right side.
Count 5 (Beat 2): Step side with your right foot, turning left a quarter (90 degrees) to back diagonal wall, rising onto the toe as sway develops left. Swing your right hip ahead of your body while keeping shoulders parallel to the man’s; this creates elegant opposition. The step is compact—avoid overstepping, which disrupts balance. Let your head follow the turn naturally, eyes directed toward the man’s right hand to maintain visual connection.
Count 6 (Beat 3): Close your left foot to your right, lowering to the whole foot at the end of the beat while completing an eighth left turn to face against line of dance. Sustain left sway, shaping inward as you settle into closed position. Transfer weight smoothly to the left foot, leaving the right foot free for the next step outside partner. Keep your upper body fluid yet supported by the man’s frame, allowing his lead to dictate the closing speed.
General Notes
Key Points
- Alignment: Leader ends Open Telemark facing wall; follower points line of dance in promenade position.
- Footwork: Prioritize heel leads (leader count 1) and heel pivots (follower count 2).
- Rise & Fall: Gradual rise from count 1 (peak end of 2), gentle lower on count 3; repeat for counts 4–6.
- Turn: Leader initiates subtly; follower answers with hip-led rotation—never force momentum.
Advanced Elements
- Sway: Use minimally—neutral dominates except follower’s right sway during heel turn.
- Body Shaping: Follower emphasizes right-side extension in promenade position; leader maintains “forward poise.”
- Coordination: Match rise timing precisely—no early lifting or delayed lowering.
- Flow: Transition into promenade position should feel like unfurling silk, not a sharp stop.
- Musicality: Sustain momentum through beat 3 to prepare for Cross Hesitation.
- Frame: Lady keeps right side softly yielding; man’s right arm stays supportive but non-restrictive.
“A sonnet written in sway and pivot.”
Preceding Figures
Commenced moving DC (as described above)
Following Figures
Ended Backing LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
Ending Backing DW against LOD
| SIlver | Outside Spin |
Ending Backing new Centre
| SIlver | Outside Change |
Ending Backing DC against new LOD
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
List of Abbreviations
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position |
| 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
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Open Telemark & Cross Hesitation 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”.