Next up - maybe something new

July 9, 2007

Not quite one hour was spent on isolation exercises. I was able to use the mirror more effectively to examine what I was doing this time. Maybe it's a sign of improvement or maybe not. Some of the exercises feel a little less awkward. Repetitions can only help. I thought I was able to get that "thing" about pressing my feet gradually into the ground, but Sergio seemed to quash that idea.

We tried a different speaker system Sergio brought in - more precisely it's Liam's speakers. I guess it sounds better than the one in the Pye room. Sergio and I initially in agreement with timing to Oyelo (Johnny Colon) but no longer by about half-way point - it's still better than last week.

Looking back at previous notes, I see that some of the basic footwork exercises were omitted or could use additional detail. These are my interpretations (arbitrary and liable to be wrong of course).

Right axle (follower's timing)
1 R foot in place
2 L foot prepare (slightly forward and slight twist to left - use hips and/or shoulder as appropriate)
3 start turning full to right (clockwise) as L knee is brought in together with R
4 still turning with weight on R foot
5 land L foot

Left axle (follower's timing)
5 L foot in place
6 R foot prepare (slightly forward slight twist to right - use hips and/or shoulder as appropriate)
7 start turning full left (counterclockwise) as R knee is brought in together with L
8 still turning with weight on L foot
1 land R foot

Follower's (right) turn
1,2,3 forward basic
5 L foot back slightly
6 R foot in place
7 L foot prepare
8/1 start turning right
2 land L foot (paddle for double turn - in which case L foot presumably next would need to land on 5)

Some additional exercises done this evening included the following - Right axle followed by left axle, follower's right turn followed by broken left turn, crossovers, body movements with some basic.

Spot turn, Leader's turn (optionally followed by follower's turn) and leading a right turn (optionally double turn) for follower was covered for partner work session. So we're now pretty close to catching up with the sessions in March.

Sergio claimed that he can teach girls much faster than guys. Hmm. I have some doubt about it - does he mean he can teach follower's part much faster than leader's part? Maybe I should make it a challenge for him.

Oh. The title of this post is somewhat misleading especially given that limiting today's material was in part because of my own suggestion - and there were some new things for me too especially for isolations and with some of the footwork.

Club Salsa afterwards was quiet once again although less so than last Monday.

On a side note, Vishal sounded like he was giving a serious consideration to having an On2 class started - at least on trial basis. The prospective teacher is someone no one has heard of (as far as I know) but has made one appearance last Thursday.