On2 workout week 2

March 7, 2007

Tonight's session lasted from shortly after 7 to 10. There were some doubts as to whether tonight's On2 session would proceed in part because of some last minute news.

The session started with timing exercise followed by reworking of how to step and press into the ground (I'm hopelessly bad at this). Some turning (as opposed to spinning) exercises (3 o'clock, 12 o'clock, "9" o'clock, broken left, hook (normal and other variations), right axle, left axle) too. Also done were Cha Cha steps, shines (with Sergio's usual annoying habit of switching to something different immediately after getting the previous one right for the first time). I am leaving out a lot of details in large part because I don't fully understand them. Also, I am running short on free time.

A little under an hour at the end was used for leading technique - done almost exclusively On1. Things like CBL into crucifix, CBL with inside turn, CBL into wrap, etc. These were simple stuff but done with a lot of adjustments. I took a smaller role in this one. The general philosophy might be described as assume that the follower is competent (in terms of tension of course but also in things like follower not needing a nudge forward on 5 when leader is in CBL position) and avoid unnecessary and potentially destabilizing movements in leading. I suppose another underlying approach used here is to build things from ground up (basic components such as timing, walking, turning, maybe spinning in the future, tension, leading and following are covered first while learning moves take a back seat - at least initially).

I am told that things I would want to work on most is stepping and staying in balance.