We've all seen it. We may have even been through it ourselves. There you are on the dance floor, moving gracefully across the floor, you and your partner enjoying every minute of the music and atmosphere. And then, there it is.
A couple, who are at the beginning of their dance journey trying a step that you have mastered years ago. What is the right course of action? Do you stop and offer them help, so as to speed their journey along? Or would you just keep dancing?
If help is offered, you run the risk of explaining the step in a way which they wouldn't understand, and it could possibly make the situation worse. There is also the risk of offending their sense of their ability (i.e. making them feel like lousy dancers). I think we can agree, none of these scenarios create the desired outcome.
There may be a way to solve it.
Try this. As you dance by a, start by giving them encouragement by saying "I remember learning that step - it's a tough one", or "I had trouble with that step when I learned it". Say something that lets them know they are not alone in their struggle, and that may also invite them to say "How do I do this step?".
Always encourage them to ask an instructor first, and then if they still ask, briefly explain the step.
There is no hard and simple solution to this problem, and every situation is different. Please take this little lesson on etiquette with you the next time you're on the floor.
TWINKLES & GRAPEVINES!
brantforddancelessons.com
DANCING TOGETHER
This weekend, my wife and I went dancing two night in a row; it seems odd to say that, considering that we dance every day for 5-6 hours, but we rarely get the chance dance with each other anymore.
I was reminded of how great dancing can be, when you are in tune with your partner, and things just go really well, and the most important thing - how happy it makes her.
If you have the chance - dance! You will both feel better......
I was reminded of how great dancing can be, when you are in tune with your partner, and things just go really well, and the most important thing - how happy it makes her.
If you have the chance - dance! You will both feel better......
FOOT POSITIONS
There are many ways to describe foot positioning. Some methods involve describing the angle or position of a single foot, while others describe the positions or angles of the feet relative to each other. This will give you a basic understanding of the most common methods for describing the various positions of the feet.
The basic method is to refer to one of five basic foot positions:
1ST - Feet are together, directly under the body
2ND - Feet apart, side by side
3RD - Feet together, heel to instep
4TH - Feet apart one in front of the other
5TH - Feet together, one foot in front of the other, toe to heel
Turning Out is when the feet turn outward to an angle, so that the toes point away from each other. The angle that results between the feet is known as the degree of turnout. When the feet are held without any turnout, they are referred to as parallel.
Turnout in the Latin and Rhythm dances is recommended. The desirable amount of turnout is between a minimum of45 and and maximum of 90 degrees. Ballet dancers strive to achieve turnout through the rotation of the legs so that the knees always point to the same angle as the toes. Latin dancers, on the other hand, will allow the feet to turn out at the ankles; the knees, when bent, point straight forward (or even roll slightly inward) in spite of the turned-out angle of the feet.
The rolling of the foot toward the inside or outside edge is known as pronation and supination, respectively. It is very important to become aware of these positions, even if you don't remember their names.
The pronated position (weight on the inside edge) is used quite frequently in the Latin and Rhythm dancing. When the body weight is held over the outside edge, the foot has rolled out into a supinated position A supinated position is undesirable, and should be avoided at all times.
You'll also find that supination of the foot tends to promote a "turning in" of the feet, rather than the desired "turning out".
Enjoy!
Twinkles & Grapevines!
http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com
Waltz Exercise
Stand with your feet together, toes pointing forward, and knees slightly bent.. Picture yourself in front of a clothesline. Rise and fall is the ability to go underneath it without ducking or bending at the waist. stepping forward with your left foot, bend your knees to clear the clothesline; but you've got to keep your back and neck straight!. You are now beyond the clothesline, so you can straighten your knees and step with your right foot to the side and draw your feet together on “3.” Do this several times, in order to get the feel of it.
HEEL, BOY, HEEL!
The general rule is, in Ballroom, Standard or Smooth (whichever you call it), forward moving steps for either Ladies or Gentlemen should be heel leads.
But how to do a large step on the heel lead without my heels sliding out from under me? Easy! Keep your body weight over top of your foot, rather than behind it. The best way to do this is to have a slight bend in the knee that is traveling forward, and push off with the foot that is behind.
The Gentlemen's steps for example, would see the man having both knees slightly bent, the left foot moving forward, and the right right leg pushing the body into the step. If you keep your left knee slightly bent, you will land with the heel underneath your body, and no sliding. Same for ladies!
To learn more in person, visit http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com
But how to do a large step on the heel lead without my heels sliding out from under me? Easy! Keep your body weight over top of your foot, rather than behind it. The best way to do this is to have a slight bend in the knee that is traveling forward, and push off with the foot that is behind.
The Gentlemen's steps for example, would see the man having both knees slightly bent, the left foot moving forward, and the right right leg pushing the body into the step. If you keep your left knee slightly bent, you will land with the heel underneath your body, and no sliding. Same for ladies!
To learn more in person, visit http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com
A GIFT FROM THE SEA
Recently, two friends of ours just got married, and I was reminded of the poem that was read at our wedding. I'd like to share that with you. Enjoy.
A Gift from the Sea: Anne Morrow Lind burg
A good relationship has a pattern like a dance and is built upon some of the same principles.
The partners do not need to hold on tightly, because they move confidently in the same pattern.
Intricate, but swift and free like birds on the wing.
To touch heavily would be to disturb the pattern and freeze the moment, to check the endlessly changing beauty of its unfolding.
There is no place here for the possessive clutch, the clinging arm or the heavy hand; only the barest touch in passing.
Now arm in arm, now face to face, now back to back- it does not matter which.
They know that they are being invisibly nourished by it. It is joy of creation, the joy of participation, and the joy of living for the moment.
It is the private place where love is pleased to dwell.
POPPING THE CLUTCH
If any of you have ever tried to learn how to drive a car with a manual transmission, or been in a car where the driver has "popped the clutch"? I'm sure you are familiar with the feeling. You know, that abrupt acceleration, pushing your head back, making you nauseous!
Well, on the dance floor, we want to avoid that as well. The easiest way to avoid an abrupt start is to ease into it; when you begin your steps, the gentlemen should initiate the movement BEFORE the beat actually happens.
In other words, initiate the movement with a slight lean, just before the "1" beat occurs. Adjust the size of the lean according to the size of the step you want to take - bigger lean, bigger step, smaller lean, smaller step.
Ladies will learn to recognize this instinctively, and respond appropriately to your leads.
CAUTION: DO NOT LEAN TOO FAR; YOU DON'T WANT TO FALL OVER :)
http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com
Well, on the dance floor, we want to avoid that as well. The easiest way to avoid an abrupt start is to ease into it; when you begin your steps, the gentlemen should initiate the movement BEFORE the beat actually happens.
In other words, initiate the movement with a slight lean, just before the "1" beat occurs. Adjust the size of the lean according to the size of the step you want to take - bigger lean, bigger step, smaller lean, smaller step.
Ladies will learn to recognize this instinctively, and respond appropriately to your leads.
CAUTION: DO NOT LEAN TOO FAR; YOU DON'T WANT TO FALL OVER :)
http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com
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