A natural turn is a dance step in which the partners turn around each other clockwise. Its near-mirror counterpart is the reverse turn, which is turning to the counterclockwise.

This terminology is used mainly in the "International Standard" group of ballroom dance

Ballroom dance

Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....

s. "Natural turn" and "reverse turn" are names of syllabus figures in waltz

Waltz

The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...

, Viennese waltz

Viennese Waltz

Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called...

, foxtrot

Foxtrot (Dance)

The foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band music, and the feeling is one of elegance and sophistication...

, quickstep

Quickstep

The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events...

. In addition, the words natural and "reverse" are used in some other figures that amount to turning to the right or left, respectively, e.g. natural twist turn in tango

Tango (dance)

Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata , and spread to the rest of the world soon after....

 and foxtrot.

The name "natural" has two explanations. In a standard ballroom closed dance position

Dance position

Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during a dance. Describing and mastering proper dance positions is an important part of dance technique....

 the partners are somewhat shifted to the left with respect to each other, which makes the right turn easier. The second reason is related to progress around the floor along the counterclockwise line of dance. Turning to the right is partly compensated for by the line of dance's leftward curve, so that it takes less effort to stay on line of dance while turning to the right than while using opposite footwork and turning to the left, especially at the corners.

"Natural" moves

• Natural turn
• Natural spin turn
  Natural spin turn
  The natural spin turn is a ballroom dance step used in the Waltz. It is typically used to advance a couple 7/8ths of a turn down line of dance, although an underturned spin turn is also very useful for turning a corner...
  
  
• Natural pivot turn
• Natural promenade turn
• Natural twist turn
• Natural ronde turn
• Fallaway natural turn
• Natural weave
• Natural telemark
• Natural hover telemark
• Natural zig-zag
• Natural hover
• Natural lock hover
• Natural hover whisk
• Natural fallaway whisk
• Natural fallaway
• Natural hairpin
• Natural top
• Natural opening out
• Natural roll
• Natural basic movement (I.S. Samba
  Samba
  Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
  
  )
• Impetus is a basic natural-turning figure as well
• Natural fleckerl

"Reverse" moves

• Reverse turn
• Chasse reverse turn
• Open reverse turn
• Pivot reverse turn
• Basic reverse turn
• Checked reverse turn
• Reverse corte
• Reverse pivot
• Fallaway reverse
• Reverse wave
• Double reverse spin
• Quick open reverse
• Reverse top
• Natural basic movement (I.S. Samba
  Samba
  Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
  
  )
• Reverse finish or reverse ending (second half of the Reverse Turn)
• Double reverse wing
• Swivel reverse
• Reverse lock (turn)
• telemark is a basic reverse-turning figure as well
• Reverse barrel roll
• Reverse fleckerl