Yes. There's that curve (can't remember what it's called)  There's a sweet spot where you have just enough nerves to maximize your performance.   Not enough stress is bad for performance, just as is too much stress.

Seems that those snug,snug Latin tops and very bard chests have been replaced with slightly loose tunics with a little sparkle.  A change for the better, IMHO.  Are others seeing the same thing?  What do you think?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y09_rLh96II

Do you mean visualization, or actual practice?

I ran across this when researching modern jive the other day, but I think it really applies to a lot more than just modern jive (and perhaps to more than just swing dances, as well ...)


As it so happens, modern jive evolved over the course of a few decades, starting with American GIs taking their swing dances to Europe during WII. At some point during the 80s, a group of folks decided to take the dance as it existed by then,to codify it and to trademark it.  Thus Ceroc was born -- basically a snapshot of a dance that had been evolving for years and that continued to evolve under several non-trademarked names, such as modern jive.

Now, at studios all over England, you can take exams to become certified as a teacher or student of the official Ceroc syllabus OR you can go to lots of modern dance clubs and dance modern jive any way you want.

Isn't something being  lost in the translation here?  meaning I know that the ballroom dances started out as scial dances at AM in the US and codifying them was a tool to create commonality and facilitate teaching.

But isn't that  kind of the opposite of what one wants to accomplish with a SOCIAL dance?  And doesn't that go counter to everything every other swing dance is about -- dance that grows out of the music and the culture of the people dancing it?

It takes enormous amounts of strength, flexibility and control,IMO. No wonder it's rare to see it done well. IIRC, in the American Rhythm syllabus, it's not even introduced until silver. (Is that right?)

Not an easy dance.

I remember once a lady at my studio had only one goal -- - to dance bolero, even though that was her very first exposure to ballroom dance.  Watching her do it was terribly painful, because she hadn't yet developed the ability to control and lengthen her stride to fill all the music. It was ugly. Bolero is not for the faint of heart.

Dancing is walking,or dance should be as easy as walking?

I think it depends on the goal of the coaching. For example, at one point, even though I had one main teacher, I was also taking lessons with a few others at the same time.  The main teacher for most stuff, but a second ( a guy with a hiphop background) to teach me body rhythm, a ballerina to help me with spins and hand/arm styling, etc.


And yes.  I think that, when one reassesses her/his goals periodically, a change of coaches should be at least considered, even if it's immediately dismissed.  One should always be as sure as possible that her/his coach is a good fit.

My question is similar to ttd's.

I can see why a follower in standard would be best served by following rather than memorizing  routines.  I'm not sure about smooth, though.   There are times in smooth where a follow is side by side with a lead or perhaps even in front of him and cannot see what he is doing at all.

Wouldn't the couple be best served if she knows her part?

http://dallassalsacongress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dallassalsa.congress?fref=ts

It's billed as a family-friendly event open to ages 10 and up.  Looks really good and has gotten great reviews in years past. Conveniently located at DFW airport. 

Exactly.  Today' s another day.