Arms (dance)

Arms (in modern times often called "Arming") is a dance figure used in English Country Dance. Although The English Dancing-Master makes no specific description of the figure, from the choreography it can be established that it is always performed by two people together, and that its duration is that of two doubles. It is typically interpreted as being a turn, usually once around, by two dancers with linked arms.

"Right arms" or "arms by the right" is done by linking right arms, usually forearm to forearm or at the elbow, and going around with forward steps. "Left arms" or "arms by the left" is the same, but taking left arms and naturally rotating the other way around.

By analogy with Sides, when Arms is done twice it is often assumed to be done by the right first and the left the second time.