Learn how to beautifully dance
the open telemark
The Open Telemark is a foundational Waltz figure that blends controlled rotation with a seamless transition into Promenade Position. It teaches essential partnership dynamics, weight transfer, and body flight across three flowing beats of music. Like a river curving gracefully around a bend, this figure embodies the waltz’s timeless elegance and directional harmony, preparing dancers for advanced combinations.
The Open Impetus is a generally a silver- or gold-level figure that is often introduced as part of more complex compound figures at the gold-level (such as the “Open Impetus and Wing” and the “Open Impetus and Cross Hesitation”). For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the book “Ballroom Technique” and the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Open Telemark (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | T H | Facing DC | DC | 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 3/8 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Count 1 (LF forward):
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.
Count 2 (RF to side):
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.
Count 3 (LF to side and slightly forward in PP):
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.
Open Telemark (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | 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 |
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.
Technical Notes (for Lady)
General Notes
Key Points:
- Steps/Alignment: Leader ends PP facing Wall; lady points LOD in PP.
- Footwork: Leader uses heel leads (count 1), toe pivots (count 2); lady prioritizes heel turns (count 2).
- Rise & Fall: Gradual rise from count 1 (peak end of 2), gentle lower on count 3.
- CBM/Turn: Leader initiates turn subtly on count 1; lady answers with heel turn rotation.
Advanced Elements:
- Sway: Neutral sway dominates except leader’s left sway (count 2) and lady’s right sway (heel turn).
- Body Shaping: Lady emphasizes right-side extension in PP; leader maintains “forward poise” in frame.
- Coordination: Match rise timing precisely—no early lifting.
- Flow: Transition into PP should feel like “unfurling,” not a sharp stop.
- Musicality: Sustain momentum through beat 3 to prepare for Wing or Chassé.
“Silk unfurling in a soft breeze.”
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DC (as described above)
Following Figures
Ended in PP ready to move LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Chasse from Promenade |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Weave from Promenade Wing |
| Gold | *Closed Wing Left 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 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”.