Everything About Heels Dance

by Clement

Oct 4, 2023

Heels Dance, Dance, Dance Classes, Dance Shoes, heels, Heels dance, Heels Dance Shoes

Everything about heels dance class. From the history of heels dance, benefits of heels dance, what are the different styles of heels dance, what are the heels dancing technique, heels dance choreography to what is now known as heels dance fashion and culture.

What is heels dance?

Heels dance is a style of dance that is performed while wearing high-heeled dance shoes. It is characterized by sharp, precise movements and a focus on footwork and body control. Heels dance are performed to a variety of music genres, including pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Let’s deep dive into what is heels dancing, the history, the heels techniques and everything that surround heel dance.

Note: It is important to note that even if heels dance designed dance choreography dance by dancers in high heels and alone, you will also find dancers dancing barefoot or in dance sneakers, as well as two dancers dancing together (but not as a typical partner dance).

History of Heels Dance

Heels dance in ancient time

Heels dance has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. Some of the earliest evidence of heels dance can be found in Egyptian and Greek art, which depicts women dancing in high-heeled shoes.

Heels dance in Middle Ages

Heels dance became increasingly popular in the Middle Ages, when it was performed by courtesans and other entertainers. During the Renaissance, heels dance was featured in many royal balls and other social events.

Heels dance in 19th Century

In the 19th century, heels dance became even more popular, thanks in part to the rise of burlesque and vaudeville. These shows featured dancers wearing high heels performing acrobatic and seductive moves.

Heels dance early 20th century

In the early 20th century, heels dance was introduced to the United States, where it quickly became popular in the jazz and blues clubs of Harlem and New Orleans. Heels dance was also featured in many Hollywood movies during this time period.

Heels dance 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s, heels dance became even more popular, thanks in part to the rise of disco and funk music. Heels dancers were often featured in music videos and on stage with popular artists.

Heels dance nowadays

Today, heels dance is more popular than ever before. It is performed by dancers of all ages and backgrounds, and there are many different styles of heels dance to choose from. Heels dance is also a popular form of exercise, as well as a way to empower women and reconnect each dancers with their own body.

There are many heels dance classes offered around the world.

Notable dancers in the history of heels dance

Here are some of the most notable figures in the history of heels dance:

Josephine Baker: Baker was a French-American dancer, singer, and actress who was known for her performances in burlesque and vaudeville shows. She was one of the first dancers to popularize heels dance in the United States.
Ginger Rogers: Rogers was an American actress, dancer, and singer who starred in many Hollywood films during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was known for her graceful and elegant heels dance moves.
Cyd Charisse: Charisse was an American actress and dancer who starred in many Hollywood musicals during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was known for her long legs and her ability to dance in heels.
Bob Fosse: Fosse was an American dancer, choreographer, and director. He is known for his signature heels dance moves, which often featured jazz hands, hunched shoulders, and isolated movements.
Paula Abdul: Abdul is an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, and choreographer. She is known for her energetic and sensual heels dance moves.
Beyoncé: Beyoncé is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is known for her powerful and athletic heels dance moves.

These are just a few of the many notable figures in the history of heels dance. Heels dance is a diverse and inclusive art form that has been enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds for centuries. We added more recent heels dancers and videos at the end of this article.

Benefits of Heels dance

7 benefits of heels dancing.

1- Improves coordination and balance

Heels dance requires a lot of coordination and balance, as you are dancing in high-heeled shoes. Learning how to dance in heel improve your overall coordination and balance, which benefit you in other areas of your life as well.

2- Tones muscles

Heels dance is a great way to tone your muscles, especially your legs and core muscles. The constant movement of your feet and ankles in heels strengthen and tone your leg muscles, and the need to maintain your balance strengthen your core muscles.

3- Boosts confidence & Women empowering

Heels dance is a very empowering activity. As you learn to dance in heels and master the different dance moves, you feel more confident in your body and in your abilities. Heels dance also improve your posture and gait, which can make you feel more confident in your overall appearance everyday.

4- Improve cardiosvascular health and provides a great workout

Heels dance is a challenging form of exercise that challenge your organism, burn calories and improve your overall fitness. It is also a low-impact activity, which means that it is easy on your joints.

5- Increase social network in a fun environment

Heels dance is a fun and social activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. There are many heels dance classes offered around the world, and there are also many online resources available for those who want to learn to dance in heels at home.

6- Stress relieve

Heels dance helps with stress relief by providing a fun and energetic outlet for self-expression and physical activity, releasing endorphins that reduce stress and boost mood.

7- Develop creativity

Heels dance develops creativity by encouraging dancers to explore unique movements, styles, and self-expression through choreography, allowing them to innovate and develop their artistic flair within the dance form.

Benefits of attending heels dance class

Attending a heels dance class offers 7 benefits as we saw previously. Not only does it provide a fun and empowering way to express yourself through movement, but it also helps improve posture, balance, and flexibility. Heels dance classes boost confidence by enhancing body awareness and promoting self-assurance.

Read more about what to expect when attending a heels dance class.

Note: Learning with a qualified heels dance teacher is essential two avoid injuries related to dancing in heels.

Different styles of heels dance

There are 9 different styles of heels dance, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

1- Jazz Heels

Jazz heels is a style of dance that combines jazz technique with high-heeled dancing shoes. It is characterized by sharp, precise movements and a focus on footwork and body control. Jazz heels dancers perform to upbeat, jazz music.

2- Hip Hop Heels

Hip hop heels is a style of heels dance that combines hip hop choreography with high heeled dance shoes. It is characterized by energetic, powerful moves and a focus on attitude and expression. Hip hop heels dancers perform to hip hop music.

3- Burlesque Heels

Burlesque heels is a style of heels dance that combines elements of burlesque with high-heeled shoes. It is characterized by sensual, seductive moves and a focus on femininity. Burlesque heels dancers perform to burlesque music, such as jazz, blues, and cabaret.

4- Ballroom Heels

Ballroom heels is a style of heels dance that combines ballroom choreography with high heeled dancing shoes. It is characterized by elegant, graceful moves and a focus on form and technique. Ballroom heels dancers perform to ballroom music, such as waltzes, foxtrots, and tangos.

Note: Ballroom dancers use ballroom dance shoes (also called Ballroom heels) to dance ballroom with a partner (ballroom dances) or solo (ballroom heels dance)

5- Latin Heels

Latin heels is a style of heels dance that combines Latin dance choreography with high heeled dancing shoes. It is characterized by elegant, graceful moves and a focus on form and technique. Latin heels dancers perform to latin music, such as salsa, bachata, and kizomba.

Note: Latin dancers use Latin dance shoes (also called Latin heels) to dance Latin dances with a partner (Latin dances) or solo (Latin heels dance)

6- Voguing Heels

Voguing heels refers to a dance style that combines the voguing dance form with the use of high heeled footwear, typically stilettos or other fashionable dance footwear. It adds an extra level of style and flair to voguing, a dance form rooted in the LGBTQ+ ballroom culture.

7- Contemporary Heels

Contemporary heels is a dance style that incorporates elements of contemporary dance with the added challenge and aesthetics of dancing in high heels dance shoes. It combines fluid, expressive movements with the elegance and poise of heels.

8- Commercial Heel Dance

Commercial heel dance is a style of dance that incorporates high heels dance footwear, often stilettos, into commercial dance routines. It’s characterized by a fusion of various dance genres like jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary, with an emphasis on sharp, dynamic movements and showmanship.

9- Afro Heels

Afro heels typically refers to a dance style that combines elements of African dance and rhythms with dancing in high dance heels, such as dance heels stiletto. It blends the energy, footwork, and cultural influences of African dance with the added challenge and aesthetics of dancing in heels, creating a unique and dynamic fusion of styles. Afro heels is seen in various dance forms and performances, often celebrated for its vibrant and expressive nature.

Note that there is many variations and names variations. We wrote the most important previously. However, there is many more. Here are some more bellow. Heels Choreography, Stiletto Dance, Commercial Dance, Burlesque Dance, Jazz Funk, Broadway Jazz, Urban Heels, Hip Hop Heels, Contemporary Heels, Latin Heels, Salsa in Heels, Tango in Heels, Kizomba in Heels, Bachata in Heels, Bellydance Fusion in Heels, Waacking in Heels, Vogue in Heels, Pole Dance in Heels, Exotic Dance, Cabaret Dance.

Heels dance techniques

4 important elements of heels dance techniques that you constantly need to work on are the following.

1- Posture

Good posture is essential for heels dancers who want to dance in heels. When you have good posture, your spine is aligned and your weight is evenly distributed over your feet. This helps you to maintain your balance and avoid injuries.

2- Core strength

A strong core is also important for dancing in heels. Your core muscles help you to maintain your balance and control your movements.

3- Footwork

Heels dance is all about the footwork. You need to learn how to walk, turn, and pivot in heels in order to perform the different moves.

4- Body control

Heels dance also requires a lot of body control. You need to be able to isolate your movements and control your balance.

8 Tips to improve heels dance techniques

Take a heels dance class: The best way to learn heels dance technique is to take a class from a qualified instructor. A good instructor will be able to teach you the basics of heels dance technique and help you to correct any mistakes you are making.
Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better your heels dance technique will become. Make sure to practice all of the different elements of heels dance technique, including posture, core strength, footwork, and body control.
Watch professional heels dancers: Watching professional heels dancers is a great way to learn new moves and techniques. Pay attention to their posture, footwork, and body control.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning to dance in heels. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just keep practicing and you will eventually get the hang of it.
Wear the right shoes: Make sure to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive. The heels should be the right height for you and the shoes should fit snugly but not too tightly.
Warm up before you dance: It is important to warm up your muscles before you start dancing in heels. This will help to prevent injuries.
Listen to your body: If you feel any pain, stop dancing and rest. Don’t push yourself too hard.
Have fun!: Heels dance is supposed to be fun. Enjoy yourself and don’t take it too seriously.

Heels dance choreography

Heels dance choreography is the creation of dance moves that are performed while wearing high-heeled shoes. It can be a challenging but rewarding art form that requires a combination of skill, creativity, and expression.

There are many different styles of heels dance choreography, each with its own unique characteristics. Some popular styles include:

Jazz heels choreography: This style of choreography combines jazz technique with high-heeled shoes. It is characterized by sharp, precise movements and a focus on footwork and body control.
Hip hop heels choreography: This style of choreography combines hip hop choreography with high-heeled shoes. It is characterized by energetic, powerful moves and a focus on attitude and expression.
Burlesque heels choreography: This style of choreography combines elements of burlesque with high-heeled shoes. It is characterized by sensual, seductive moves and a focus on femininity.
Ballroom heels choreography: This style of choreography combines ballroom choreography with high-heeled shoes. It is characterized by elegant, graceful moves and a focus on form and technique.
Chair Heels dance choreography: Heels dance choreographyHeel dance choreography using a chair. Read our post.

Heels dance choreography are created by professional choreographers or by individual dancers. When creating heels dance choreography, it is important to consider the following factors:

The style of heels dance: The style of heels dance will dictate the type of choreography that is created. For example, jazz heels choreography will be different from burlesque heels choreography.
The music: The music is another important factor to consider when creating heels dance choreography. The choreography should be in sync with the music and accentuate the rhythm and beat.
The dancer’s skill level: When creating heels dance choreography, it is important to consider the dancer’s skill level. The choreography should be challenging but achievable for the dancer.

Heels dance fashion

Heels dance fashion is a unique and ever-evolving style that combines the glamour of high heels with the athleticism of dance. Heels dance fashion is often characterized by bold colors, sparkling fabrics, and daring silhouettes.

Some of the most popular heels dance fashion trends include:

Leotards: Leotards are a staple of heels dance fashion. They come in a variety of styles, from simple and classic to embellished and glamorous. Leotards are often paired with dance shorts or skirts.
Dance shorts: Dance shorts are another popular item of heels dance fashion. They are typically made from a stretchy, comfortable fabric and are designed to allow for a full range of motion. Dance shorts can be worn with leotards, crop tops, or sports bras.
Dance skirts: Dance skirts are a great way to add a touch of femininity to your heels dance outfit. They come in a variety of styles, from short and flirty to long and flowing. Dance skirts can be worn with leotards, crop tops, or sports bras.
High heels: Of course, no heels dance outfit is complete without a pair of high heels. There are many different styles of heels dance shoes available, from stilettos to platforms to sandals. When choosing heels dance shoes, it is important to select a pair that is comfortable and supportive.
Accessories: The right accessories can really complete your heels dance outfit. Popular accessories include headbands, jewelry, and leg warmers.

Our recommendations on your dance outfit to attend a heels dance class: pair a black tight with a black stiletto heel shoes and and crop top or sport bra for a sexy and modern look.

What heels to wear to a heels dance class?

It is recommended to wear high heel dance shoes to attend a heels dance class.

However, after teaching heels dance class for over 8 years, I would recommend you to start with a 7cm flare heel if you are a beginner.

Once you get confident, you can opt for a higher heel dance shoes, and try different heel shape (flare heel, stiletto heels).

Read our full article about what to bring to a heels dance class and what are the best heels for heels dance class.

Learn more about the different Types of Heels

Here is a list of 6 guides to help you understand the different types of heels and our heels advices & recommendations for dancers.

Types of womens heels

High Heels for dancers

How to tie lace up heels

Guide Black t bar heels

Heels with Ankle Strap

Kitten Heel

Where to buy dance heels?

Buy dance heels at Latin Dance Shoes Australia.

Latin Dance Shoes Australia deliver dancing heels worldwide. You can customise heels height and the type of heel for any dance shoes.

Read our guide about heel for dance to help you decide which one is the best for your needs.

Are dance heels comfortable?

Yes, Dance heels are comfortable. Dance heels (also called dance shoes) are designed for comfort, support, and performance. Their comfort can vary depending on the style, fit, individual preferences and quality of the dance shoe company. At Latin Dance Shoes Australia we proud ourselves for selling premium quality dance shoes worldwide for any type of feet.

From narrow foot dance heels to wide feet dance shoes, we got everything you need.

Are dance heels more comfortable than regular heels?

Yes, Dance heels are more comfortable than regular heels. Dance shoes are more comfortable than regular fashion heels due to their specialized design and cushioning, tailored for dancing and prolonged wear.

What other accessories do I need to buy with my dance heel shoes?

To keep your dance heels longer, we recommend you to buy shoe heel protectors (also called heel stoppers) to avoid the heel to wear faster.

If you purchased suede sole dance shoes, we recommend you to buy a dance shoes brush to clean the sole after each use and keep your heel dance shoes longer.

Knee pads are also quite important if you want to protect your knees while doing some commercial heels dance choreography.

Finally, some dancers like to dance with a fishnet

How to put heel protectors on dance shoes?

To put heels protectors on a dance heel, simply align the protector with the heel of your dance shoe and firmly press it onto the heel, ensuring it adheres securely and evenly.

4 Famous heels dance choreographers and performers and their impact on the dance world (with heels dance YouTube links!)

Brian Friedman

Friedman is a renowned choreographer who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Janet Jackson. He is also a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he has helped to popularize heels dance and elevate it to a mainstream audience.

Yanis Marshall

Marshall is a French choreographer and dancer who gained international fame after appearing on “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2014. He is known for his fierce and powerful choreography, often incorporating heels into his dance routines to add a level of sexiness and empowerment.

Galen Hooks

Hooks is a dancer, choreographer, and actress who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and film, including Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé. She is known for her creative and innovative choreography, often incorporating heels dance into her dancing routines to showcase the power and femininity of the dancers.

Jojo Gomez

Gomez is a choreographer and dancer who has worked with artists like Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, and Tinashe. She is known for her fierce and powerful choreography, often incorporating heels dance into her routines to showcase the strength and empowerment of women.

Tips on how to dance in heels

Dancing in heels is a skill that improves with practice. Start with comfortable, stable flared heels and ensure they fit well. Warm up your ankles and feet, engage your core for balance, and start with simple steps before progressing to more complex moves. Practicing walking in heels can help you get used to the sensation of being elevated.

How do kpop idols dance in high heels?

K-pop idols dance in high heels through rigorous training, practice, and the use of specialized dance techniques. They receive professional guidance and coaching to develop strength, balance, and flexibility required for dancing in heels. Additionally, choreographers design routines that incorporate heel-friendly movements and transitions, taking into account the limitations and comfort of the performers. Frequent rehearsals and consistent practice in heels help idols adapt to the footwear and maintain their grace and precision while performing complex dance routines on stage.

How does Beyonce dance in heels?

Beyoncé dances in heels through extensive training, a strong core, and tailored choreography. She practices tirelessly, wears comfortable heels, and benefits from her years of experience performing in various footwear. Her ability to dance flawlessly in heels is a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.

How long before I can become a good heel dancer?

To be a good heel dancer, you need to dance and practice at least twice a week for a minimum of 2 years (which means 104 weeks of practice and a minimum of 208 hours of training).

What is the heel toe dance?

The “heel toe dance” is a dance move that involves alternating between tapping the heel and toe of one foot while shifting your weight between legs. It’s commonly used in various dance styles, including hip-hop and urban dance, as a rhythmic and dynamic step.

How to heel toe dance?

How to dance in heels without pain?

Dancing in heels without pain can be achieved with the right techniques and preparation:

Choose Comfortable Heels: Opt for dance heels with good arch support, cushioned insoles, and a stable heel height. Gradually increase heel height as you become more comfortable dancing in them.
Proper Fit: Ensure your heels fit snugly without pinching or squeezing your feet. Consider shoe inserts or padding for added comfort.
Warm-Up: Stretch and warm up your ankles, calves, and feet before dancing in heels to prevent strains.
Strengthen Your Core: Engage your core muscles for better balance and posture while dancing.
Practice: Start with simple dance steps and gradually progress to more complex moves as you gain confidence and strength.
Foot Care: Apply foot powder or antiperspirant to reduce friction and keep your feet dry. Consider using blister-prevention products, heels shoes protectors or cushioned insoles.
Rest Breaks: Take short breaks during extended dance sessions to relieve pressure on your feet.
Massage and Stretch: After dancing in heels, massage your feet and perform gentle stretches to alleviate muscle tension.
Lower Impact Moves: Choose dance styles and routines that involve lower-impact movements when wearing heels to reduce strain.
Listen to Your Body: If you experience discomfort or pain, take it seriously. Rest and seek medical advice if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is heels dancing?

Heels dancing is a style of dance where dancers wear high dance heels shoes, typically stilettos, and perform choreographed routines that emphasize grace, elegance, and confidence while showcasing the aesthetics of dancing in heels.

Can you dance in 4 inch heel?

Yes, many people can dance comfortably in 4-inch heels with practice, the right dance heels and the right heel technique.

Can you dance in normal heels?

Yes, many people can dance comfortably in standard or normal heels with proper technique and practice. However, having the proper dance footwear prevents dance injuries and better stability while dancing in heels.

Can you dance in wedges heels?

Yes, you can dance in wedge heels. Wedge heels are typically more stable and comfortable for dancing compared to stilettos, making them a popular choice for dance enthusiasts.