Dance with an Irish accent. Irish dance lessons for beginners: simple movements

Over one year old

By dancing Irish dances, you will learn to master your body with virtuosity, become more flexible, and have a better sense of rhythm.

Today every girl should be able to dance well. Especially if she is in great shape, modern and wants to attract the attention of everyone around her. The times when girls stood on the sidelines are long gone.

Irish dancing is incredibly fashionable now. A dance lesson with Irish motifs will be conducted by Elena Kolosova, trainer and head of aerobics programs. She will tell you how to learn to dance Irish dances.

The dances of the Irish people became popular thanks to the famous show program “Riverdance”, led by Michael Fletty. The show is on already 12 years old, and there are already more than six and a half million fans of Irish dancing. And this figure is growing. After all, new Irish dance schools are opening in all countries, and such dance training is included in the classes of fitness clubs.
Basic characteristic features Irish dancing consists of side steps (performed while jumping) and a fast tempo that will help you cope with overweight. And although mainly only the legs work, a large load also falls on the body and back. After all, you have to keep them in a motionless position. Therefore, it is not surprising that the next day all the cells hurt. You can dance Irish dances alone, a partner is not at all necessary and you don’t have to make this request to your husband, friend or neighbor. By dancing Irish dances, you will learn to control your body with virtuosity and become more flexible. You will also have a better sense of rhythm. Thanks to these dances, each of us will become a simply beautiful swan princess. And if you want to try it already, then quickly burn some fiery Irish melodies onto a disc and get ready to have complete pleasure.

Let's start dancing!
Who? Irish dancing can be practiced by anyone who wants to - age and physical fitness do not matter. But diseases of the heart, blood vessels and varicose veins affect the intensity of training. In this case, you will have to simply give up jumping while performing the same movements.
What? Any sportswear will do. Shorts or short skirt will help create the right mood. Shoes are simple Czech shoes or low-heeled shoes.
Where? To make classes less traumatic and for better gliding, you need to remove the carpet from the floor.
How? If you are just starting dance classes and go to the “Irish Dancing for Beginners” group, then two half-hour lessons per week will be enough. If you already have special training, then the duration of classes is longer - half an hour or an hour three, four or five times a week.

HOW TO BUILD A LESSON?
Warm up. It is necessary, by playing calm, relaxed music, to warm up all the muscles, especially the legs, as well as the shoulder joints. Do a plie with your toes apart and your heels together and squat deeply 5-10 times, trying not to lift your heels off the floor. Then rise on your toes 5-10 times. The next movement is forward bending. At the same time, stretch your arms toward the floor, stretching the muscles in your back and back of your thighs. If discomfort occurs, you need to bend your knees. After warming up, you can begin the main part of the workout.
The main part of the lesson. All movements are learned separately, then collected into bundles.
Hitch. Stretch the muscles of your back and legs by sitting on a chair and bending forward with your hands under your knees. Holding your elbows, stretch your back up and hold for half a minute.

BASIC STEP
During the entire session, your back should be perfectly straight, your stomach should be tucked, and your arms should be lowered along your body and clenched into a fist. At first it is better to do without jumping, but remember that it is better to do all the movements while jumping.

1. STEP ATTACHED
Place your feet together and take a wide step with your right foot to the left diagonally. Place your left foot behind your right on your toes. Do the same with the other leg in the other direction. Do it five to eight times in each direction.

2. STEP EXTENDED
Get into the same position as for the previous exercise. Then take a step forward with your right, slightly raising your left leg, immediately lower your leg bent at the knee, and immediately take your right leg diagonally to the right and place it on your toe. Do the same thing, but in mirror image. Do 8-10 repetitions.

3. “WALKING”
We start from the same starting position as the previous exercise. Three steps with your right foot, then three steps with your left. In this case, you need to rise on your toes and place your left foot on your right foot and your right foot on your left. Thus move in different directions, trying to use the entire room. Repeat the exercise six to eight times.

4. “ROPE”
Remember the sea dance “Apple”, and you will understand what kind of movement we are talking about. Same starting position. Alternately, bending your left or right leg at the knees, take steps back, placing your legs behind you as close to each other as possible. If you have the training, you can do this while jumping. It is best to do this exercise not in one place, but moving backwards. Repeat six eight times.

5. TOUCH THE FLOOR WITH YOUR TOES
Place your feet together and take them in turns straight forward, toes touching the floor. Repeat with each leg six to eight times.

6. TOUCH THE FLOOR WITH YOUR HEELS
Get into the same position and, raising your knees higher in front of you one by one, touch your heels to the floor. Repetitions - from 8 to 16.

7. WE DO HEEL AND TOE KICKS
Place your feet together. Step forward with one foot, put the other foot down, and make sure that your toes are apart. Transfer your body weight to your heels, lift your toes, hitting the toe with the second toe. With the same leg, take a step back, lifting your heels and striking your heels together twice. Repetitions - from six to eight.

8. CHARLIE CHAPLIN
Place your left foot with your heel in the middle of your right foot and spread your toes to the sides - the third ballet position. Shifting your body weight to your right leg, bending your knee slightly, move your left leg to the side and, without touching the floor, immediately place it on your toes, crossing it behind your right leg. As if rocking, on the count of two, shift all your weight from one foot to the other. Keep your body straight, pointing the top of your head up. Perform the exercise on each leg eight to sixteen times.

9. HIGH JUMP
Third position. Squat down slightly, push off with both legs and jump. During flight, your legs need to be swapped. We return to the starting position. 6 - 8 repetitions are enough.

10. ROTARY THE FEET
Third position. On “one” you need to rise on your toes and spread your heels to the sides, on “two” you need to return to the third position. On “three”, rise again on your toes, spreading your heels, and on “four”, jump and change your legs in a jump. Repeat 6-8 times.

PART OF THE WHOLE
By practicing Irish dancing for one hour, you will burn at least five hundred kcal. True, it is quite difficult to maintain a crazy pace. That is why Irish dance movements are studied as part of mixed dance lessons. Dance Mix, where several dance styles are studied.


Beginner group, December

Group ADULTS (Monday and Thursday 20:30-22:00)
3 hours per week
Monthly subscription 3700 rubles
Dance or sports training is required
The trial lesson is free when you purchase a full subscription on the day of the first lesson
Single subscription 800 rubles

Fill out the application if you would like to join the group or reserve a place for the next intake


You can also leave a request via Whatsapp, Viber, SMS or call +7-962-363-5678

Our address: Dobroslobodskaya str., 5a, Flamenco House - it’s seven minutes from the Baumanskaya metro station (see directions below)

Why do people choose Irish dancing?

  • Irish dancing is popular with both children and adults.

  • They are unusual, recognizable and not much like other directions.

  • They are based on morality, discipline and correct life values ​​that are not in doubt.

  • There are no age or training restrictions for studying them - your success will depend only on your desire and diligence.

  • Irish dancing immerses you in culture, gives you the opportunity to travel, and trains your memory.

  • Create new ones vivid impressions and provide an excellent opportunity to practice interesting thing both for yourself and the whole family.
What and how you will study

All types of solo Irish dance in soft and hard shoes: reels, jigs, hornpipes, traditional set dances and their modern versions
traditional and modern group figure dancing and keili
We train from scratch, the learning process progresses from the basic level Beginners (beginners) to the highest level – Open (world-class professionals)
and, of course, spectacular jumps, beautiful dance patterns and rhythm, in clarity, not inferior to Lord of the Dance!

What else can Irish dancing give you?

Slender, strong legs
Beautiful posture, grace and gait
Great shape And good mood
Sense of rhythm and self-confidence
Communication, new friends and impressions
Participation in competitions both in Russia and abroad



Cost of classes

The first trial lesson during group recruitment is free.
Monthly subscription 3,700 rubles - classes 2 times a week for 1.5 hours.
Subscription for a one-time lesson after enrollment closes - 800 rubles.
When purchasing a full monthly subscription* on the day of the first lesson, you receive a 500 ruble discount.
*The subscription can be purchased from any day of the month, and its cost is calculated based on the number of remaining classes in a given month.

Frequently asked questions

I'm 14 - can I study in an adult group?
Yes, you can.

I'm 35 - can I study in an adult group?
Yes, you can.

I would like to register my child for classes
If your child is 12 years old, feel free to enroll in an adult group. If less, leave a request, we will try to find activity options for your child.

I have no preparation, should I start, will I succeed?
Yes, it's worth it. It will work out, if not immediately, then over time. The main thing is desire, supported by actions. We provide the material from scratch, and physical fitness will grow with the process of training.

If I have no hearing and sense of rhythm?
Both of these skills are learned. They “turn on” during regular training, after some time.

What clothes should I take to class?
Top - T-shirts, T-shirts; bottom - trousers, shorts, breeches, leggings - whatever you feel comfortable in.

I don't have special shoes for Irish dancing yet. What should I do?
Special shoes can be purchased later. Dance ballet flats, jazz shoes or regular Czech shoes are suitable as shoes for the first lessons.

Are there other days for classes?
If you have not found a group suitable for the time, leave a preliminary request with your wishes for the days and times of classes. We will definitely take them into account when we announce the next set.

Are individual lessons possible?
Undoubtedly. You can leave a request for individual training- just indicate this in the comments to the application.

Didn't find the answer to your question?
Call or write to us! +7 962 363 5678


Our halls

Classes are held in three spacious, comfortable, professionally equipped halls of the Flamenco House with a special dance floor, large floor-length mirrors, ventilation and heating systems.


How to get there?

Nearest metro stations: Baumanskaya, Komsomolskaya, Krasnoselskaya, Krasnye Vorota
Address: Moscow, Dobroslobodskaya str., building 5a, Flamenco House
Walking distance from Baumanskaya metro station is 7-10 minutes, from Komsomolskaya and Krasnoselskaya metro stations 15 minutes.


What else do beginners need to know?

Preparation.
Dance skills or physical fitness are not required. We teach from scratch.


Age.
For adults, enrollment has no age restrictions. Children are admitted to school from the age of 4 or 7, the maximum age is 11 years - then the child can study in adult groups.
Restrictions.
It is advisable for parents to bring the teacher a doctor’s certificate with permission to physical activities. Older dancers with chronic diseases must notify the teacher about them and consult with their doctor about any contraindications to physical activity.
First trial lesson.
During the enrollment period, the group is free of charge; after the enrollment is closed, a one-time or monthly subscription is paid for the group. The first lesson in children's groups is always free.
Price.
Payment for the subscription is monthly using a prepaid system. The cost of a subscription and a one-time lesson depends on the duration of the class, status and level of the group.
Discounts.
We provide discounts on subscription fees in case of joint classes married couples, parents with children, children from the same family, children and parents from large families.
Clothes and shoes.
Any sports uniform that does not restrict movement is suitable for clothing. From shoes - any soft ones: ballet flats, jazz shoes, Czech shoes, dance sneakers.

About the school

Diplomas
The school holds international certificates T.C.R.G. and T.M.R.F. with the right to teach solo and group Irish dance. All school instructors are certified teachers with Grade Exams certificates.


We are an official school of W.I.D.A.
The World Irish Dance Association (W.I.D.A.) provides our students with the opportunity to participate in international competitions. Participation in championships is not prerequisite for schooling.
Our awards
World & European Champion (Solo Senior 2013,2015), World & European Champion (Ceili Senior 2015), East European Champion (Solo Junior 2015), British Open Champion (Solo Senior 2014).
The school is the World and European Champions in solo and team W.I.D.A. competitions, British champions and repeated winners of many W.I.D.A. championships. We take part and are winners open competitions C.L.R.G.

Our teachers

Tatiana Smirnova. Founder, solo choreographer, teacher of adult groups. Rich dancing and teaching experience. Gold of the World Championship (World Senior Champion 2015), Gold of the European Championship (European Senior Champion 2015, 2013), Gold of the World and European Championship as part of a ceili-team (World&European Senior Ceili-Team Champion 2015), Gold of the British Championship (British Senior Champion 2014 ). Certificates Grade Exams 1-7. Currently he is a participant in a special training course for teachers “Colin Dunn. Teachers Course.”

Natalya Tsvetkova. Certified teacher-choreographer, teacher of adult and children's groups, ceilidh classes, stage director and event director of the school. From her dance past - Gold at the World and European Championships as part of the Ceili-Team (World&European Senior Ceili-Team Champion 2015). He holds an international certificate of Irish dance judge A.D.C.R.G., as well as teaching certificates T.C.R.G. and T.M.R.F.

Natalya Ananyeva. Leading dancer of the school, instructor of adult beginner groups, certified teacher. Rich dancing and teaching experience. Participant and prize-winner of Irish dance championships, top 5 dancer. Gold at the World and European Championships as part of the Ceili-Team (World&European Senior Ceili-Team Champion 2015). Certificates Grade Exams 1-3



Why Irish dancing: stories of our students

Irish began for me with a spontaneous decision. There was a period in life when the goal was to change everything: work, appearance, home decor, etc. And dances of various types have always been a part of life: from childhood it was Russian folk, modern, choreography, then a short break and at a conscious age choreography again, first pointe shoes, several strip dance lessons and even pole dance, stretching. It followed that I needed sports. I didn’t want to go back to choreography or stretching, because... there wasn’t enough zest...And in the middle of my thoughts I caught myself watching the well-known Lord of the Dance on YouTube. The thought “But they teach this somewhere!”

I googled several schools and started calling. Somewhere they didn’t answer me. “Not fate,” I decided. And they answered one number, told everything, described the way to the hall. Then they patiently described the road again when I got lost.

And it started spinning! I was invited to Keili, I found new friends, my first fashion show, my first premiership won, medals, a diploma! And that’s it, then I realized that it was mine. This drive, this pride in yourself and your new teammates, for your teachers who took the stage as part of the “big” competitions.

The most highlight My four-year career in dance is a victory at the WIDA European Championships, and one day later also at the WIDA World Championships as part of the keley team. She is inspiring only because right before the performance we were all very worried, very doubtful and had the attitude of “relax and just dance like in the hall, everything is not so bad.” And we just believed in ourselves, held hands in the first bars, smiled, put a point on 7-8 and did everything that depended on us.

If we were to make a motto out of history, it would be “Believe in yourself! You can do anything!”

If anyone else is thinking and choosing between types of dances, but you want to travel, huge amount friends from different cities, special language, which only you will understand, a new chic dress and funny curls on the wig - you definitely come to us!

Natalia

I came to my first lesson in November 2009. Actually by accident. I just wanted to go to some dances, and when I saw an ad for an Irish one, I thought it might be interesting. The class was free, you could just see if you liked it or not.

At that moment, all I knew about Irish dancing- this is that they are fast and dance in some kind of shoes. Michael Flatley, Colin Dunn, Riverdance - all this was an empty phrase for me. I'm not even sure that the show could have impressed me enough to take up Irish dancing.

But the first lesson really impressed me, despite the fact that we only did exercises for the leg muscles and attempts to learn a couple of the simplest movements for the most light dance(it didn’t work out very well). But it immediately became clear that Irish dancing is much more athletic and physically challenging than I imagined. But this is precisely what makes Irish dancing much, much more interesting than anything else!

It seems to me that everyone who practices Irish dancing finds something of their own in it. Having been studying for 7 years, I still continue to discover a lot of new things. Constantly appears new music, new movements, new types of competitions, new exercises, approaches to training, etc.

For me, there is nothing more exciting than the process of learning new dances (especially in hard shoes). The moment when a newly learned dance sequence begins to fit into the music brings me into a state close to euphoria... It becomes difficult to stop, even if all the muscles already hurt and my legs are worn out. I don’t know if there is such a complete coincidence of music and movements in other dances, but for Irish dances a clear rhythm is very important.

For a beginner, I think the most important thing is not to pay attention to failures, remember that they are always temporary, everyone goes through them, and there are no exceptions.

I was brought into Irish dancing by a chance acquaintance with the work of Michael Flatley in his show Lord of The Dance. Seeing this for the first time in my life, I get the feeling that I have never seen anything like this before. There are hundreds of shows where people wave their arms and legs in dance, jump and fly under the big tops of stadiums and circuses, but here no one waved or jumped high. That case when the easier it is better - i.e. brilliant! Also striking is the proud and calm appearance of the dancers, who as one performed incredible things for a person seeing it for the first time. Celtic music in the inimitable arrangement of Ronan Hardiman also played its part in attracting attention to Irish dancing.

The reason I'm still dancing? The reason is very simple, after watching incredible Irish shows, I want to at least try how it all happens. And when you realize that you can do it and you succeed, you are trapped. I want to progress and improve. Also, at first there is a feeling that you are involved and doing something very rare, as if you know a secret that others do not know.

As a person engaged various types sports, including running long distances, I can say that practicing Irish dancing requires serious effort, and a successful dancer may well be equal in level of physical fitness to a good athlete.
On a personal level, dancing provides an opportunity to travel around the world, meet people, and exchange experiences. Also, by practicing and achieving results, confidence in yourself and your capabilities is strengthened. You are doing something that you once thought was great, but incredible.
Like any sport (and these dances can give a head start to many of its types), Irish dancing strengthens willpower and endurance. Combination of smoking and unhealthy image life with serious training is impossible.

What can I recommend? young man beginner dancer. You definitely need to practice. This is excellent posture, coordination and gait, an opportunity to show others the results of your training or simply enjoy yourself on the dance floor. The ability to beat out the rhythm of your favorite musical composition with your feet is better than any good drummer. Plus: friends appear with common interests, new interesting acquaintances, physical fitness, sports passion and prospects. Is this not enough?
And most importantly! According to statistics in dance groups There are 10-15 girls for every guy! What other arguments are needed? :)

It all started in 2012. At that time I had to give up rhythmic gymnastics, so I didn’t do anything for 4 years, and there wasn’t enough workload.

And one day my mother showed me an Irish show (at that time I didn’t even know that it was Lord Of The Dance), and I really liked it! We started looking for a school in Moscow. We were choosing between 2 then existing ones, but because... They were all far away and decided to postpone my trip to class for now. And at some point, at once again Having searched for information on the Internet, we came across the recently opened Killarney school. And then it went on and on... my heart remained in the hall forever :). Even a 3-hour trip to training and back was not a hindrance!

I advise beginners to do such classes, and not to despair if something doesn’t work out right away. Even very experienced dancers don’t always do everything right away; it takes hard work. Don't give up Irish dancing without experiencing all its depth and complexity. Specifically, at our Killarney school you will be taught to flutter over the stage in defiance of all the laws of gravity. You will also learn where your “back left leg” is, what a bird is and how to make a butterfly.

Irish dancing is rich in elements of varying complexity, so even an all-knowing opener is never bored.

Don't stop there! If you get a new element, repeat it again and again so that your legs remember it. Don't turn off your brain when dancing - it's main mistake, you always have to think. You need to learn not to relax what you need to tense, and not to tense what you need to relax, otherwise your legs will not be able to make 100 beats per second :) Try, persist and you will succeed!

In 2009, one of my friends talked a lot about St. Patrick's Day, which I had never even heard of before. In response to my questions about what kind of holiday this is and how it is celebrated in Russia, he talked about the annual parade dedicated to this day, and even tried to depict several movements (later it became clear that they were “hop” and “jump”).

That’s how I became interested in the “Irish dancing” direction. I watched the shows “Lord of the dance” and “Riverdance” on YouTube, and decided that I wanted that too!

The search for schools has begun. I chose from two. I chose the one where I liked the teacher better. I didn’t regret my choice for a second.

My first lesson was in a group that had been studying for a month already. At first nothing worked. But it was a big incentive for me that my colleagues already knew how to do something. And for 6 years now, Irish dancing has lived in my heart.

Thanks to Irish dancing you get an excellent physical fitness, good relief after work, new friends, the opportunity to visit different countries peace, a sea of ​​fun and happiness!

For those who have recently arrived at the dance or have not yet decided, I will say this: the main thing is to want and go towards the goal, never give up, and you will succeed. Try to be the best, no matter what!

Catherine

It was in 2009, when I finished studying rhythmic gymnastics. And since I was busy with all sorts of things throughout my childhood sports load, my mother suggested going to a dance center and finding suitable useful leisure time, there are movements there, and not in pure form sport.

One day we came to the dance center, which was located next to the house. That evening there were flamenco classes going on there, and Irish dancing classes were going on nearby. At that time I knew nothing about these types of dance.

I looked at flamenco, but honestly, I wasn’t interested. But after I saw through the eyes of a child how beautifully the girls jumped and did absolutely unimaginable elements in an Irish dance class, I really liked it, there was something unusual, very cool about it, I thought then.

Most likely, that was the first time I saw a slip jig, a female solo dance, and it was good - the music was very beautiful.... Mom immediately said that this was mine and she saw me in such a dance, and that she was sure that I would have everything it turns out!

We didn’t think long, my mother signed me up for these wonderful dances! And here I am, and I wouldn’t trade our classes or my first teacher for anything. We've been together since our first class together.

Personally, my growth was not so rapid, but that’s good. I grew and matured physically and in dance. Everything was smooth and gradual. As Tatyana told me, I suddenly started dancing for real when I came to school after regular summer holidays. That’s when our hardest joint work began for more high levels and continues to this day.

If you're still wondering whether to start Irish dancing, don't hesitate for a moment. Begin!


How to contact us:

Since Ireland was once a colony of England, this influenced the development of its culture. In the 17th century, the English forbade anything Irish to flourish, and, accordingly, folk dances were banned. The Irish did not violate them, but in the evenings, at an agreed place, groups of people met secretly from society to give their souls to dance. In the 18th century, Irish dancing began to be revived en masse in villages and towns. Some masters even opened their own choreographic schools. In the 1890s the Gaelic League was founded and began to revive Irish and culture, and, accordingly, dance discovered a second wind in itself.

Today there are three types of Irish dance - solo, ceili and set. The solo is based on a spectacular technique - the body and arms remain motionless during its performance, but the legs perform fast and clear movements to the music.

Keighley is based on solo movements, but is performed by a group or pair of dancers. Thanks to the spectacular synchronicity of the movements performed, the ceilidh is ideal for special occasions.

The Irish set is a group dance with elements of French quadrilles. The set has simpler combinations of movements than the keley. The steps in it are quite simple and this can be explained by the fact that the set is a social Irish dance.

The best Irish dances (watch the video) today are available for viewing by many thanks to the Internet, where they appear almost immediately after the competition, and where they can delight their fans with entertainment.

Irish dance lessons for beginners (video techniques)

Irish dance lessons for beginners are now held in almost every school or dance studio. But if you want to learn choreography at home, online videos will help with this.

To start learning the basics, you need to take care of the right shoes, since during its execution all attention is focused on the legs thanks to the stationary upper part of the body. Shoes for Irish dancing can be of two types - women's and men's. And they are very different.

Women's shoes resemble soft ballet flats with laces, thanks to which the shoes fit tightly around the foot, providing a secure fit. In addition, for tap dancing (and it is quite important in Irish dancing), leather shoes with a small heel and a strap in front, which secures the shoes, are often worn. In addition, step shoes must have plastic heels on the front and back.

Men's shoes also come in soft and tap shoes. Step shoes for men have an important difference from the women's model - they do not have heels on the toes, but only on the back to create a sound - a click. Traditional shoes for Irish dancing are matte black, but today there are also patent leather options and white inserts on the shoes.

The Irish have three types of tunes to which all folk dances are performed. They are called reels, jigs and hornpipes. Jigs are of Celtic origin, reels are of Scottish origin, and hornpipes are of English origin.

Irish dance technique

The technique of performing each type of Irish dance has its own characteristics in movements. For example, the keili is danced by performers standing in one line or forming a circle. The arms are pressed tightly to the body, only the legs work. Keili uses a lot of jumps.

The set is also performed according to clear rules - the conditions even specify the number of people who can be involved in the performance. As a rule, the set is performed by four couples, which are located opposite each other, forming a square. Another difference between the set and other types is that it does not use jumps at all.

Well, solo Irish dance is not just a performance, but a whole spectacle. To perform it in front of an audience, you must have skill and many years of experience.

Now let's look at the basic steps. Each of them has its own name and principles of implementation. Moreover, teachers from different dance studios may call basic steps differently.

The main step is called a step and can be performed forward (step-step) or backward (side-step). Another basic step is called a chasse and is performed by changing legs. A jump in Irish dance is called a hip. It is performed mainly with leg swings.

The basic rack looks like this:

  1. Stand up straight with your arms close to your body.
  2. Now put your right leg forward and move it behind your left - you get a crossed leg. The toe of the right foot should point to the left, and the toe of the left foot to the right.

The stance can be changed in a mirror form, that is, the legs can be swapped - instead of the right one there will be a left one, and instead of a left one - the right one. From such a stance all the main steps in Irish dance will be performed. If these are jumps (hips), you simply end them with a swing of your leg, but you will still land on the floor in this starting position.

Irish dancing is very popular these days and children love it the most. Kids love to step or jump to catchy music. are perceived as something unusual, which is why they attract the attention of beginning dancers.

We wish you success in mastering the technique of a dance that seems difficult at first glance, and our video lessons will help you with this!


The history of national Irish dances goes back several thousand years. During this time, the Irish came into contact with many peoples and cultures, and each of them influenced to some extent the formation of these unique dances.


Basic body positions in Irish dance

The position of the body during the dance is strictly fixed. The back is kept straight, the head is slightly raised, and the chin should never be lowered. In addition, in Irish dancing it is not customary to lean forward with your entire body. If the dance composition requires this, you can only tilt your head forward, while your body remains straight. Also in Irish dance you will not see energetic movements shoulders and hips - these parts of the body remain motionless.

Hand position in dance

The position of the hands in Irish dance is also strictly fixed. The first thing you need to do is learn to keep your shoulders down. At first, this may cause some difficulties, your shoulders may even hurt. But in the process of classes and training, the muscles will develop, and your physical capabilities will increase. As a rule, the arms are located at the sides and are easily clenched into fists. If the clothes have seams on the sides, then the position of the hands can be easily checked by them - the hands should be slightly further than the side seam.

Hand movements

The hand in Irish dance is a straight line. You can't swing your wrists and hands. From the very beginning of training, you should remember that the main thing in Irish dance is the legs, so the viewer’s attention should be focused on them, and the hands should not distract him. To achieve this, you can hold your partner's hands or rest your hands on your hips.

In the following lessons we will look at the basic positions and movements of the legs, and begin to study the movements various directions Irish dances, fortunately, their arsenal is very rich and varied.