Thank you for that - I think it was the worst demo Karen has ever given. Thanks Ann ( and Kaycee) knew you would provide informative answers:) It says body weight is more forward in Jive. In S & J the weight is kept to the ball of the foot because the knees are flexed and both have a certain amount of bounce as the legs flex more and less.
![quaver toes quaver toes](https://i.etsystatic.com/13114820/r/il/e98cff/2597931999/il_fullxfull.2597931999_hffb.jpg)
(Some exceptions for both are stated, including Chicken Walks) However it does say that any moving back of the pelvis when you lock the leg should be kept to a degree where it does not affect the upper body and so I think this would still give a slightly forward tilt to the body. I assume this is because the supporting leg is locked back and it would be difficult to lock back if your weight was further forward in the foot. However in R &C the weight is felt near the heel of the standing foot. In both you stand upright with lifted rib cage and straightened spine (and relaxed shoulders of course). However, I think it is explained as follows.
![quaver toes quaver toes](https://janeaquariel.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/16-ground-plan.jpg)
I am studying Rumba for my teaching exams and so I will double check. Karen reflects the IDTA book where the poise for Rumba and Cha cha is different to that for Samba and Jive. With your weight more central it is then possible to create a much better movement through not just the legs, but more importantly, the body - you can't do this if you are not on balance. When I first started, I was taught to keep my weight well and truly forward over my toes, but in recent years I have been taught with definitely a change of weight being more central over the middle of the foot to heels. Hi Ellie, probably best for one of the latin ladies to answer this, but i think its because latin dancing has evolved and moved on over the years. I know she is extremely, extremely knowledgeable about latin dancing so I can't see how she could be wrong - but why so different to what I've been taught? Or have I misunderstood what she was saying?
![quaver toes quaver toes](http://www.drumscore.com/images/Lessons/Rudiments/FlamsAndDrags/Flam/EighthNoteWithFeet/FlamFeet10.gif)
It's always been "nose over toes" in latin with samba "nose extremely over toes." She then went onto say that in rumba and cha cha your weight should be towards the heels." This is really not what I've been taught in my dancing. She was talking about Danny's posture and how in jive and samba your weight should be over the balls of your feet. I have a question based on what Karen Hardy said on CC.