Folsk have been weighing in on how to teach a balance. Let's keep in mind that
there are plenty of ways to balance. Perhaps the most thorough study of this topic
appeared in Ralph Page's "Northern Junket," Volume 5, #1, March 1955.
Dr. Ralph A. Piper contributed an article, "50 Variations of the Balance." Piper
was writing in the mid-1950s, a time when I suspect more regional variations could
be found than on today's contra dance floors.
If you're interested, it's online here:
http://www.izaak.unh.edu/dlp/NorthernJunket/pages/NJv05/NJv05-01/NJv.05.01.p13.htm
David Millstone
