Dance Steps for the Saga Waltz
The Saga Waltz feels so good to do when you learn the steps. It is one of those “flowing” waltzes that combines a number of more ‘advanced’ moves such as curving backward steps, natural spin turns, a number of contra body movements and the hestitation.
The script for the Saga Waltz was composed by Michael Pharoah and Julie Williams in 1989. It moves in 3/4 time at a tempo of 31 beats per minute, with the usual even 1-2-3, 1-2-3 waltz timing. We commence the dance in ballroom hold with the man facing down line of dance and the lady against it.
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Saga Waltz – 1st Movement – Reverse Turn, Five Curving Backward Steps and Whisk
The reverse turn starts with the man’s left foot forward along line of dance and his right foot to the side as he turns outside the lady. As his left foot closes to his right foot, he is now backing line of dance, diagonal to wall. This concludes the first 1-2-3 movement of the waltz.
The man now continues his left foot past his right foot, walking backwards to commence a curving movement. The curve commences diagonal to wall and steps 1-2-3 bring him facing directly against line of dance. The next 1-2-3 continues the move, but curving around to the right. Step 3 of this 1-2-3 movement both partners ‘whisk behind’ while at the same time, opening into a promenade position facing against line of dance.
The lady now walks around the man in a movement that often follows a “whisk” – called a “wing”. The man puts his right foot forward and across in a Contra Body Movement Position, body facing diagonal to centre against line of dance, leading the lady to curve anticlockwise towards man’s left side. He closes his left foot towards his right food as the lady still walks around toward the man’s left side. Finally, he close his left foot to his right foot in a ‘Brush Step’, slight body turn to the left so that he now faces against line of dance with the lady now on the man’s left side. The whole move takes another 1-2-3 time.
Saga Waltz – 2nd Movement – Outside Check, Natural Spin Turn and Turning Lock
The man now brings his left foot forward in another Contra Body Movement Position against line of dance, with the lady on his left side, to a “check” position (1). He then replaces his weight back to his right foot in another Contra Body Movement Position, turning to the left with the lady on his left side (2). Next, he brings his left foot to the side and slightly forward, his foot pointing diagonal to wall down line of dance, his body facing the wall, his partner square, still turning to the left (3). This completes the next 1-2-3 of the waltz sequence.
The man now moves his right foot forward in Contra Body Movement Position diagonal to wall down line of dance, with his partner on the right side while turning to the right (1). Then his left foot to the side, backing diagonal to centre down line of dance, still turning to the right and square to the lady (2). He closes his right foot to his left foot, backing down line of dance (3). This completes the next 1-2-3 of the saga waltz.
The next 1-2-3 sees the man move his left foot back down line of dance, a pivoting 1/2 turn to the right to facing down line of dance, his right foot held in Contra Body Movement Position (1). He moves his right foot forward down line of dance, still turning to the right (2). Then his left foot to the side and slightly back, backing diagonal to centre down line of dance (3).
The final 1-2-3 in the 2nd movement sees the man place his right foot back, right shoulder leading diagonal to centre down line of dance. He then crosses his left foot in front of his right foot in a Lock Step, backing diagonal to centre down line of dance (1). He moves his right foot back and slightly to the right, turning to the left (2). Then his left foot to the side and slightly forward, foot pointing diagonal to wall down line of dance, his body facing the wall, still turning to the left (3).
Saga Waltz – 3rd Movement -Natural Hesitation Change, Sway to the Right and Left
The next part of the dance involves four 1-2-3 movements. First, the man moves his right foot forward in a Contra Body Movement Position diagonal to wall down line of dance, with his partner on the right side while turning to the right (1). Then his left foot to the side, backing diagonal to centre down line of dance while still turning to the right, square to the lady (2). He closes his right foot to his left foot, backing down line of dance (3).
The man moves his left foot back down line of dance while turning to the right (1). Then his right foot to the side in a small step, a Heel Pull, still turning to the right, facing diagonal to centre down line of dance (2). He closes his left foot to his right foot without transfering his weight in a Brush Step, facing diagonal to centre down line of dance (3).
He then moves his left foot to the side towards diagonal to centre against line of dance, swaying to the right (1). The man closes his right foot towards his left foot, slightly increasing the sway to the right (2). He continues to close his right foot towards his left foot without transfering his weight, still facing diagonal to centre down line of dance (3).
The final 1-2-3 sees the man move his right foot to the side towards diagonal to wall down line of dance while swaying to the left (1). He closes his left foot towards his right foot while slightly increasing the sway to the left (2). He then closes his left foot to his right foot without transfering his weight, to a Brush Step, still facing diagonal to centre down line of dance (3).
Saga Waltz – Final (4th) Movement – Progressive Chasse to the Right, Back Lock, Closed Impetus Turn, Reverse Turn
The last movement of this beautiful dance begins with a “step and chasse” followed by a “step and lock”. The man moves his left foot forward diagonal to centre down line of dance while turning to the left (1). He then put his right foot to the side along the line of dance while still turning to the left, then closes his left foot to his right foot while still turning to the left to backing diagonal to wall down the line of dance (2). Then he moves his right foot to the side and slightly back, backing diagonal to wall down line of dance (3).
The man then moves his left foot back in another Contra Body Movement Position diagonal to wall down line of dance with the lady on his right side (1). Then he brings his right foot back diagonal to wall down line of dance with the lady square to him (2). He crosses his left foot in front of his right foot in a Lock Step, then his right foot diagonally back towards diagonal to wall down line of dance (3).
For the next 1-2-3 the man brings his left food back in a Contra Body Movement Position diagonal to wall down line of dance with the lady on his right side while turning to the right (1). He closes his right foot to his left foot, does a Heel Turn, still turning to the right with the lady square to him (2). He then moves his left foot to the side and slightly back, backing diagonal to centre against line of dance (3).
The final move to end the Saga Waltz, is a reverse turn. The man moves his right foot back diagonal to centre against line of dance while turning to the right (1). He then brings his left foot to the side with his toe pointing down line of dance while still turning to the right (2). The dance ends with the man closing his right foot to his left foot, facing down line of dance returning to commencing position (3).
Enjoy This Video of the Saga Waltz
