I think I mentioned before that it was pointed out to me, by a respected senior caller, that the two hand, and especially crossed hand, way of teaching the sensation of counterweight in swing gave new dancers the wrong impression that the way to accomplish it was to tilt their upper back out. While we most definitely feel the counter weight in the hands at the upper back, it is the centrifugal force putting it there, and perhaps a sitting down over our feet in part. It isn't a lean, per se, nor are we pulling the other person in. I had used that method previously, but having heard that, then carefully observed it's veracity, I have been searching for an equally quick alternative. So far, the gallop while in an allemande R has come closest. It certainly creates the necessity for counterweight, and gets the feet doing the right thing. I have yet to decide whether it is of concern that the wrong hand is carrying the weight, or that incorrect allemande grips could cause pain. Perhaps if I used the MWSD hold with hands on forearms, I could avoid the latter. The ideas in this thread have already informed my teaching, and I appreciate the passion people bring to the discussion. Thanks! Andrea
Sent from my iPhone On Sep 5, 2011, at 6:19 AM, Hanny Budnick <[email protected]> wrote: > I have yet to meet the person who does not understand the principle of > sharing the weight in the swing when I practice this sequence with them > individually: > with your partner: stand facing each other, hold crossed hands and then FALL > BACK. Don't move your feet apart! Feel the sensation of counterbalancing each > other! Neither weight nor height of your partner matter, the adjustment is in > the degree of lean - and it's different with each partner with whom one tries. > THEN - while keeping awareness of this feeling of mutual counterbalancing > intact, shorten the stretch between your arms until they are close enough for > the assumption of ballroom position. Then - bellybuttons smiling at each > other - > pretend you're on a scooter: keep outside of right feet together - DON'T LOOK > AT FEET - and push off with left feet for your buzz swing. > The preliminary exercise of cross hand hold and leaning back are just to > learn the sensation of mutual counterbalancing, they are NOT part of the real > swing. > I bet most of your learners have childhood memories of that buzz swing with > crossed hands and stretched-out arms... > > Hanny, Danzmeestersche > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
