Walking Boston The Walking Boston The Walking Boston , sometimes designated the One Step Waltz , is a very simple dance in which many graceful figures may be introduced . It is done to the same music as the Hesitation Waltz and Dream Waltz . The man starts forward with his left foot and the lady backward with her right , simply walking to waltz time , counting one , two , three to each step . At each step the dancers rise on their toes . Four of these steps are taken forward ( backward by the lady ) , then they balance backward and forward . As the dancers balance they make a quarter turn to the man 's right to the one , two , three count of the music -- four of these quarter turns making the complete revolution . Throughout this turn the man keeps his right foot and the lady her left on the floor , using it as a pivot on which to turn . Now the man steps backward with his left foot and the lady forward with her right , taking four steps . Then balance , and instead of four quarter turns to the one , two , three count of the music , make two half turns in the same time . The dance includes a great deal of `` balancing '' . Indeed , the Walking Boston cannot be performed easily or gracefully unless the balancing is done properly . Balancing means throwing the weight of the body successively on to one foot and then on the other . This is done with one foot well in advance of the other . Good dancers get plenty of swing into their action . Swing forward . Swing backward . In balancing on to the forward foot , the backward foot should barely leave the floor , and in no event should it be brought forward . And in balancing onto the backward foot the forward foot should not be brought backward . The above are the fundamental figures of the Walking Boston . There is no rule governing the number of steps to be taken forward or back , the number of times to balance , or the number of turns to be made . This is left entirely to the pleasure of the dancers . The number four mentioned in the preceding was merely illustrative . The fundamental figures may be varied by skipping , the man on his left foot , the lady on her right . This skipping step is made by the man on his left foot only , and by the lady on her right only , thus making every other step a skipping step . Another figure may be introduced by the couple taking a position both facing forward . Four steps are taken forward , dipping on the fourth step ( see Illustration 11 ) , then back four steps and turn . Couple starts forward , the man with his left foot and the lady with her right , taking three steps , making a little skip as the third step is taken ; this skip is on the man 's right foot and the lady 's left ; they balance twice , then repeat . The man starts forward with his left foot and the lady with her right , taking five steps forward , skipping on each step . Balance twice , then turn the body around without changing the position of the arms and take four steps in the opposite direction , skipping on each step as before ; then turn as described previously . It is common for dancers to do the turn after each of the figures , but the order of the figures is optional with the dancers . Both starting with the left foot , take four steps forward ; on the fifth step , change position , the man crossing over behind the lady without releasing the hands or losing a step ; three more steps forward and then cross back again ; then three more steps forward . In other words , this is merely twelve steps forward , changes of position being made on the fifth and ninth steps . Completion of these twelve steps leaves the dancers in the same position as at the start . Now , without losing a step or getting out of time with the music , both dancers one step straight to the side with the left foot , then backward with the right foot and dip . Again sideways with the left foot and backward with the right and dip , and so on for ten or twelve steps , keeping on a straight line to the left . Repeat # 1 . Grape Vine , dipping on the backward step . External link The article is based on the description from An American Ballroom Companion Categories : Waltz 