Jazz Moves, Steps and Routines

Jazz, and in particular Jazz warm ups, can contain a lot of Ballet and Yoga moves. Depending on your teacher, they may be referring to these moves by their proper names – “stand in fifth position” “degage to the front” “sit in a half lotus position” – you get the picture.

In fact, if you hear a genuine Jazz word or phrase like ‘A Jazz Kick’ for example, and ask for a definition, you may get it in Ballet terms – “It’s like a grande battement”.

Yep, this could leave you in a terrible muddle. Naturally, as your dancing progresses you will pick various dance terms. But to end up in a beginners class and hear a torrent of these expressions might be a little disorienting.

Don’t panic – just choose the right class. Because, in a true beginners class everything will be thoroughly explained to you. But there wouldn’t be any harm in taking a quick look at our Ballet Steps section for an explanation of what these terms actually mean.

Stretching is the big thing in Jazz. You will be stretched as far as you can go in the warm up (although, it must be said that a lot of standard gym warm-ups contain just stretches and yoga- style moves so it’s not all that different…).

Something that you might see in Jazz classes which you wouldn’t expect to see anywhere anymore – is the bouncing stretch. You know – the kind of bouncing warm up that used to feature in a lot of eighties- style workout tapes and pop videos.

The research data into this is fairly conclusive as far as we can see. Bouncing while in a stretch is dangerous and can cause muscle damage. It is well documented (and most of the experts in the field of stretching and flexibility training all agree) – don’t bounce.

Hopefully you will be in a class with a teacher who is well informed on these matters.



If you do happen to get into a lesson and find that you are being instructed to bounce, our advice would be – don’t.

Stretch gently – to the point where you can feel the stretch and not to your pain threshold or anywhere near it. Then simply hold that stretch.

Warm Up & First Routine

Keeping to the gym theme, don’t be surprised if you are asked to do push-ups and other traditional workout moves. The Jazz warm up really is very thorough and encompasses as many different styles as are necessary to get you thoroughly warmed up.

In your first Jazz routine, you could be asked to do quite a lot of different steps - jumps, a shimmy or two, and turns and spins. Pay attention here – it’s Jazz so it’s probably going to be fast… But it’ll also be great fun.

Turns and spins (indeed any variation on a pirouette) should be well deconstructed by your teacher.

And you will probably find that you have the opportunity to practice a static turn. This is where you do every movement (the arm and head position, how high on your toes you should stand) without actually turning around.

This will give you a great idea of where you body weight should be. This is incredibly important in learning how to turn. If your body weight isn’t where it should be, you could end up splattered all over the wall or floor. Never a good place to be.

Core Muscles

Core muscles are absolutely key in Jazz – do this dance on a regular basis and you will build immense core strength (and a very flat tummy!).

So, you’ll come to dance your final routine, which could be 64 beats long, and you’ll find you have a huge amount to remember. But, by simply tuning in to the music, you’ll find that the beat will guide you.

And if you get stuck and lose a couple of steps mid-way through, give it a shoulder roll or shimmy while you find your feet. It’s the attitude that counts!

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