Illuminations and ruminations

February 9, 2006

Ivan & Sally Intermediate

basic with L-R hold
1,2,3 This was the most difficult part. I’m not quite sure about the footwork – in specific, do I turn with my weight on my R foot or on my L foot? leader goes forward right with toe pointing L on 1, then turn full turn stationary counterclockwise on 2,3 while keeping tension so that the follower turns around 1/2 while traveling as is done somewhat like cross body lead (except done in half the time) – L-R is in front of leader’s waist
5,6,7 leader’s R foot cross over in front of L foot on 5 to make room for follower to do what is essentially the second half of cross body lead once again – leader closes the line by stepping back into original position to get back into open hold
[note: This is the second time this maneuver was attempted this year by Ivan. I still find this difficult although I might be doing it marginally better than last time.]
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break, close in and suzy Q shine for 5,6,7
1,2,3,5,6,7 Enchufe-like – open break (?) and bring follower in around like enchufe (half turn counterclockwise for follower) with L-R high and R-L low to bring follower into a wrap on 2,3, and walk around clockwise on 5,6,7
1,2,3,5,6,7 bring follower out of the wrap by leading a stationary double clockwise turn ending with R-L behind follower’s R waist (probably the best way to lead this is to start initiating turn with both with L-R disconnected early and R-L coming up high then going down fairly sharply after the completion of the first turn by the follower)
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader does pivot turn with double hand switch (R-L to L-L and back to R-L) on 1,2,3 and bring follower forward (like reverse cross body?) and into 1 1/2 or even 2 1/2 traveling counterclockwise turn with R-L coming up high after the completion of the first 1/2 turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 basic and back to open hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and close in with L-R tucked onto leader’s L collarbone and 1,2,3 and hook turn on 5,6,7
1,2,3,5,6,7 toss R-L underneath L-R and reconnect R-L above L-R
1,2,3,5,6,7 turn follower around 1/2 and bring R-L down to her waist and lead follower into a traveling 1 1/2 clockwise turn with R-L coming up only after completion of first 1/2 turn by follower (otherwise, I think it’s uncomfortable for her)

Second hour left me with a choice between improvers and complete beginners. There was a surplus of men for improvers while there was a huge surplus of women for complete beginners. I decided to do beginners again – but this time with some intent to work on some body isolation exercises on the side. Interestingly, I found that there were technical issues I still could work on even at the complete beginner level, including how and how not to lead and transition from various basic steps and keeping finger/arm/shoulder positions in optimal position during leader’s pivot turn, etc (former took a little prodding from Sally). It goes to show that need for fine adjustments for doing even the simplest things can be found even after getting to a level where many people might consider “advanced”.

Rest of the time was spent on dancing (surprisingly many times and often with illuminating results - a small record was broken), practicing and getting some feedback about the Tony & Claudia workshops. Maybe I should ask a few more people and perhaps print out a survey form for the workshop articipants. Based upon what I was able to find out from a quick search on the internet, I would guess that Tony was talking about returning sometime during the last week of April, just prior to the London 5 Star Congress organized by Mambo City.

So many things to think about and to digest…