Learn how to beautifully dance
the weave from promenade
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Weave from Promenade in the Modern Waltz.
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 personal notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources.
Also included is a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Weave from Promenade!
The Weave from Promenade 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.
Weave from Promenade (Man)
Commence in Promenade Position, feet facing LOD, body facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd & across in CBMP | H T | Pointing LOD | DC | RF 1/8 to L before 1 | – | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | |
| 2 | 2 | LF fwd | T | Facing DC | DC | 2 | cont to L | – | cont to rise | Closed |
| 3 | 3 | RF to side & slightly back | T H | Backing DW | LOD | 1/4 (2→3) | – | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 1 | LF back in CBMP | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | 1/8 to L (3→4) body turns less | – | com to rise e/o 4. NFR | OP | |
| 5 | 2 | RF back | T | Backing LOD | LOD | 5 | cont to turn L | – | cont to rise | Closed |
| 6 | 3 | LF to side & slightly fwd | T H | Pointing DW | LOD | 3/8 (5→6) body turns less | – | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| (7) | (1) | RF fwd in CBMP, OP | H | Facing DW | 7 | – |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- regarding the base (waist down to feet): rotate slightly to left.
- regarding the belly button: low centre, slightly different angle
- regarding sternum: high centre
- These three different points enable you to stay parallel to the Lady. Don’t turn your hips and feed to much to the Lady.
- For this left-turning figure, keep the differential consistent while moving in a curve. Maintain upper body toward the Lady.
- Don’t let your upper body rotate further than your feet, as this will put the Lady to your left.
In step 4,
- Lead the lady outside partner. Use CBM. Lower through your right leg and hip. Use your abdominal muscle, dance diagonal stretch.
- The footwork for step 4 may be danced T H T *using foot rise)
In step 5,
- rotate your hip. “Open the door” for the Lady. Stay parallel.
Weave from Promenade (Lady)
Commence in Promenade Position, feet facing Centre, body facing DC against LOD
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd in CBMP | H T | Facing Centre | DC | 1 | com to turn L | PP | ||
| 2 | 2 | RF to side & slightly back | T | Backing DC | DC | 3/8 (1→2) | rise e/o 2 | Closed | ||
| 3 | 3 | LF to side & slightly fwd | T H | Pointing LOD | LOD | 3/8 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | ||
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd in CBMP | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | com to rise e/o 4 | OP | |||
| 5 | 2 | LF fwd | T | Facing LOD | LOD | 5 | com to turn L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 6 | 3 | RF to side & slightly back | T H | Backing DW | LOD | 3/8 (5→6) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 6 | Closed | ||
| (7) | (1) | LF back in CBMP, OP | T | Backing DW | 7 |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- Both step 1 and 2, think about stepping straight forward. Do not curve in to the Man
- Do not turn too early (or too late). Your legs should stay ahead of your body.
- Big step. Stay connected with the Man. Work your right side a lot to stay with the Man
- for shaping, starting from Promenade Position (left hip up), on count 1, your right hip begins to pick up.
In step 2,
- swing your legs strongly forward. Big step. Don’t turn right immediately. Ensure your head is travelling forward with your right foot first. Get your weight on your right foot, balance on your right foot, then turn your body an dhead.
- Don’t lose your right side. Give your right side and your right hip to the Man
- Don’t just rise and let body fall backward. Think about going forward along the curve, as this will give you better rotation. Give the Man more spa.ce
- At the end of this step, your right hip is swung up to its maximum. Think about “swing up and hover”
- Always stay on the Man’s right side. Give yoru right side ot the Man. Stretch to create a bigger fuller shape.
- On count 2, your head is just about vertical square. At the end of 2 and into 3, focus on shaping.Esnure that you are fully balanced.
In step 3,
- this step may feel like diagonally backward step, but because of the turn it will end side and slightly forward. Do not directly side step as this will not leave you enough room for CBMP in the next step
In step 4,
- to go outside forward, relax your right shoulder down. Don’t take it back. Connecting your right shoulder will dirve your right leg forward. Think of the Man’s elbod as a ‘limbo bar’. Try not to beat it with upper body forward.
- CBM. Left side more forward. Stretch head even more.
In step 5,
- keep your left foot to the left of the Man. Stay very left/ behind him.
- If the figure finishes in PP, then turn to PP. Don’t fall back off to PP.
- Turn your head when rising (after getting weight on foot). Ensure your feet turn to PP, too.
- Pull your centre back whenever you rise. Be on your own balance.
In step 6,
- this is closed finish. Keep your head position and only turn your body. Give your right side to the Man. This will ensure that your head ends up to the right and that your body will shape to the right.
- If it ends in PP, lift your left hip to the Man and think about “high jump”
- Keep your right side to the Man. Check your right arm and elbow.
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced moving DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Whisk Back Whisk * Outside Change |
| Silver | Open Impetus * Open Telemark Turning Lock to L (ended in Promenade) |
| Gold | Turning Lock to Right * Contra Check * Fallaway Whisk |
Following Figures
Ended Pointing DW (as described above)
Ended in PP (ready to move down LOD)
| Bronze | Chasse from PP |
| SIlver | Cross Hesitation Wing |
| Gold | 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 Weave from Promenade 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”.