Viennese Waltz, also known as Wiener Walzer or the German Waltz is the oldest of the ballroom dances and is in my opinion, also the most beautiful. Viennese is the type of dance you visualise when you think of Cinderella or Anastasia, a royal ballroom or even a phrase like “dancing at the ball.” Beauty and flow is what we imagine and Viennese is the dance that embodies these characteristics.

Viennese began as a social dance and as popularity increased, massive dance halls catering to thousands of dancers were built. Although a single couple dancing a Viennese Waltz is impressive, the dance receives the greatest benefit of effect when the floor is filled with couples; all twirling and flowing to the music, a sea of colours and movement. The combined effect is mesmerising and exhilarating.

I often hear people say they would love to dance the Viennese Waltz but it looks too difficult to learn. What you may find surprising is that the Viennese Waltz has the least syllabus figures of any dance (a total of only nine figures!). When broken down, the dance consists entirely of turns to left or right, change steps, and to make it fancy, checks and fleckrls. That’s it! The complexity of the dance is not in the steps themselves but at the speed at which they are danced.

Like with any rotary dance, you want to dance at your partner, not around them. Start out slow, practice the steps until you are familiar with them and practice changing directions. Start with slow music and as you become more comfortable, gradually increase the speed. You will be dancing the beautiful Viennese Waltz in no time!