Lesson number 6 - Sally

November 17, 2005

1,2,3,5,6,7 standard cross body lead with leader hook turn with L-R going over leader’s head and switch to R-R hold in open position (I found this version of hook turn with L-R high a little difficult and ended up letting go the connection fairly early, which in turn led to preparation for double turn rushed if R-R connection was fumbled – it may simply need getting used to)
1,2,3,5,6,7 prepare and lead follower to a stationary double clockwise turn
1,2,3 give follower a R-R hat with R hand going to follower’s shoulder and L-L connection is made as leader initiate cross body lead
5,6,7 lead follower into a traveling full counterclockwise turn as is done in lasso and with R-R connection re-made by 5/6 and thus ending in a wrap (L-L goes over follower’s head) – leader ends up to right of follower (or follower should be to the left of leader)
1,2,3 lead with R-R to move follower backwards with L-L going up to clear room for follower’s head moving backwards on 1, then rotate around each other while always facing the same direction as 8/1 on 2,3 with R-R going over leader’s head during this time with leader moving to follower’s left into an open cross body lead position by 3/4 (L-L is positioned behind leader’s R waist and is about to be disconnected)
5,6,7 lead follower into a traveling full counterclockwise turn as is done in lasso again but only using R-R only
1,2,3 same body/feet rotating movement as in previous 1,2,3 but this time with R-R disconnected and follower’s R hand temporarily trapped between leaders L arm and body and leader’s R hand is placed in front of follower’s R waist by 3/4
5,6,7 use R hand on follower’s R waist to lead follower into a 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn and end with both hands on follower’s hips by 1
1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead with free 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn for the follower led with both hands on follower’s hips during 1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead ending with open hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break on 1, get into reverse cross body lead position on 2,3 and lead follower to half turn clockwise with both hand connections intact on 5,6,7
1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead followed by full counterclockwise traveling turn for the follower with both hands ending on follower’s shoulder
1,2,3,5,6,7 in place on 1,2,3 and lead follower to a stationary 1 1/2 clockwise turn to get back into open position

dip
1,2,3,5,6,7 standard cross body lead with 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn for the follower with leader following closely on 5,6,7 and ending almost on top of the follower in a variation of closed position – leader’s R hand reaches down from follower’s L shoulder on 7/8
1,2,3 “lunge” forward on 1 with follower arching backwards – probably should bring follower back up starting on 3 to be able to do a proper 5,6,7
5,6,7 turn half turn clockwise as a unit and do back basic
[note: I think I would be extremely reluctant to try this dip except with followers who know this dip and even then I am not sure if I will feel completely comfortable. One my bigger concern is that R hand reaching down from follower’s L shoulder position is going to be next to useless in keeping the follower upright if the follower loses balance and fall backwards.]

My form seemed a little off compared to last night. Then again, I was keeping things simpler much of last night while dancing with more experienced followers.

I will be missing Sally’s class for next 3 weeks as I’ll be in the USA for a little over 16 days starting next Wednesday. I guess after tomorrow’s lesson, I’ll be missing Johnny & Serap’s class for 3 weeks as well. I will almost certainly be doing some reporting of Salsa scene in the Washington D.C. area.