Inside Turn

Two Moves You Already Have 🔀

We have worked on our Left Turns, and we have worked on our Cross Bodies. Mix the two and you get something called the Inside Turn.

It is a walking turn. She crosses you exactly like in a Cross Body, but this time she also turns.

The Inside Turn is a turn and a half to the left.

The Cross Body, when you think about it, is only half a turn to the left.

That is really what is happening in a Cross Body Lead: she does half a turn towards her left. It is not really a turn. Here we actually turn her, so she ends up facing the other way.

Follower: Steps and Technique 💃

The footwork is a little more complicated than in your Left Turn, so take it apart before you put it together.

• start on 1 with the right, rotating a little
• prepare on 2 with that same rotation of the feet, and rotate the hips a little
• start turning to the left on 3, but walking straight
• change the front on 5, and change it again on 6
• come back to the front on 7

Do not use the heel to go to the six. If you do, you go backwards.

The feet. Open them a little outwards, like a first position in ballet, like a penguin. It gives a more beautiful position, and a correct one.

And keep your focus on him the whole way through the turn.

Lead: Steps and Technique 🕺

You go for a Cross Body, 5 6 7. Then on 1, on 2, you go down and slightly front, as if pushing your hand down and forward.

You may recognise that movement. It is your prep for the Left Turn. Same thing, just done from here.

• let her do the turn on 3
• get back in the line
• and then go with her, 5 6 7

Going with her is the whole job. This is not going to be easy for her at the beginning, so help her as much as you can. I adjust my position to hers. I am never forcing her into it.

Keep the same distance throughout. That is what lets you do the move at all. Be gentle with the arms, get out of her way, and stay with her.

💡 Drill it: Leads, practise the follower footwork too. I did it with her in the lesson because I need the practice as well. We all do.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.