Last lesson I learned...

[elisedance]

Today was about my 7th lesson with new-pro and we did the last of our routines - QS.  I've never seen such a complicated series of hop, step, scatter and jump with more movement inbetween!  There is no way i could even dream of learniing this - but now I really don't need to.  bits I have to know but most of it i will learn to follow. 

Lots of important stuff - most of all keeping my centre high - to keep it light - and my weight between my feet.  Also worked on head turns - my choice - and must not affect my body (which I was doing totally wrong)...

[SwingWaltz]

Last lesson we changed our hold a little bit, and boy what HUGE difference that made!
My shoulders don't pop up anymore during spins and pivots, my partner feels more connection and lead from my body, our shape looke bigger, and overall we become more connected. All due to my right hand behind the lady's back, we added a connection between my wrist and her underarm. LoL Luckily I'm not the girl cause I'm extremely ticklish under the arm. =P Also with our other hand hold, we kept a "little bird" between our hands! aka tiny stress ball

[catsmeow]

My partner and I compete in latin and standard. Our last lesson involved the arm movements in the sliding doors. The instructor (female) is a wonderful ten dancer but I couldnt help  notice when reviewing the video that her greatest strength is teaching the lady. I wasnt short changed but her ability to portray femininity far outstripped her masculine side. I am trying to add in the male attitude by taking an extra lesson or two with a top latin male dancer. Just so happens that her partner was around and he helped a lot. Does a man teach a man better ?

[elisedance]

catsmeow - I hazzard to guess that your partner does not think that a man teaches better

there are as many opinions on this as there are dancers and I suspect it depends on many factors including personalities (teachers and students), ages, dance level, and exactly what you are trying to learn.
Thus, a male teacher may know more about how to move your body to execute a step but who would you rather assess whether you are leading it right - the male teacher or the female tha has to be led?

We could have a separate thread on it - might be a good idea if you care to start it...

[Rugby]

I take with a top male and female in both latin and standard.  One thing I have realized is that no matter how good they are the man can't do the woman's part or understand the details like a woman and vice versa.  The man is always looking at it from the man's point of view and the woman from the woman's.  Its good to have both.

[Dora-Satya Veda]

I take with a top male and female in both latin and standard.  One thing I have realized is that no matter how good they are the man can't do the woman's part or understand the details like a woman and vice versa.  The man is always looking at it from the man's point of view and the woman from the woman's.  Its good to have both.

I must totally agree on this one. I think it is best to have both a male and a female involved in your dancing for it to be whole.

[QPO]

I have had had mostly male teachers, so can't say really but I think in the end it would be well grouding to have opinions from both who bring different elements together

[SwingWaltz]

So that raises another question, if you are male/female, do you prefer a male/female coach? I'll start another thread on that.

[elisedance]

Last lesson we changed our hold a little bit, and boy what HUGE difference that made!
My shoulders don't pop up anymore during spins and pivots, my partner feels more connection and lead from my body, our shape looke bigger, and overall we become more connected. All due to my right hand behind the lady's back, we added a connection between my wrist and her underarm. LoL Luckily I'm not the girl cause I'm extremely ticklish under the arm. =P Also with our other hand hold, we kept a "little bird" between our hands! aka tiny stress ball

The subtleties of the hold and frame are endless aren't they?  You have to be able to move and yet you also have to stay connected.  I actually hardly notice the hold any more - I hope that means we are getting good at it and not complacent!

[SwingWaltz]

Yep...as our coach said, the difference at our level is really pin size!

[Medira]

I had my first lesson since November this past Tuesday and it was FANTASTIC!  I missed working with him and we had a great time.  Reviewed the open gold rumba that we had been working on and got three quarters of the way through open gold cha cha.  My plan is to try and do a weekend of lessons in NYC with my guys at least every other month no matter where I end up employed.  I just cant give them up like that.

[standarddancer]

last lesson coach noticed I'm too much in front of DP, so pushed me to stretch more outward and left ward to create more space from him, a more right side to right side connection.

[QPO]

I have the same problem. Where I come too far across my partner at times. One coach says that you should be able to see the mans zipper. Another says the front of the right thighs should be touching and do not come further across than that.

Hard to maintain but it is a goal I work on so it become second nature.

[elisedance]

I think we all suffer this from time to time - but its definitely not jut the ladies, but a partnership problem.  The lead has to provide the room for the follow to occupy it! 

You can also over do this or do it the wrong way - simply positioning your body to the left of the man is not the answer.  You have to have something like a spiral from your feet to your left elbow and thats what gets you out to the left.

We need DSVs input here!

[ZPomeroy]

While we're waiting for DSV's input i might share. Last lesson coach noticed that i was 'bobbing' so to speak throughout my foxtrot, rising too early on the heel toe to toe through 3 steps/feather steps, coach explained it as follows, the higher you rise the less forward momentum you achieve, so by keeping my rise at a lower rate my forward movement would increase. I made my own interpretation of this and thought i would share it here. Each QQS pattern gives you a grounding point at the S where by balance/posture ect. are able to be brought back into realignment, this means that each S of the pattern also allows you to use almost as a spring allowing you to move through the heel toe to toe of a 3 step rather than bobbing, another way of putting it is using your supporting leg of the slow to push off giving you the forward momentum needed for a healthy rise but still having plenty of movement making sure you get the heel toe.

Zac