But women SHOULD have some ability to control the action as well as the men. Some time ago an older lady cornered me in the parking lot - recognized me from having previously led in the lesson a week prior - and said that many of the guys swung her too fast and asked me how she can get guys to swing her more slowly. I said that you could ask, but that doesn't always get you where you want. I asked a more experienced caller, and she said that one who wanted to slow the action could just let her body go limp, thereby forcing a slower swing. Women should have the option to decline to be flourished if they don't like. I teach ways to decline a flourish. All this in an effort to make contra dancing easy and approachable for new people who are just getting their feet wet in this wonderful form of dance.
And yes, there are a few couples moves in contra where lead/follow can come into play (the courtesy turn and the swing), but most moves have no leader or follower. Perry ________________________________ From: Brian Hamshar <bhams...@yahoo.com> To: "call...@sharedweight.net" <call...@sharedweight.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 1:15 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Alternate Role Terms In response to Perry's query about how "leading" comes into play: I've always thought that the concept of lead/follow comes in by the very existence of the courtesy turn, as well as by the traditional closed position that is used for swinging in which it is far easier to direct the motion from the gent's role than the lady's. I speak from plenty of experience in both roles. Having your arms under your partner's so that your hand is on his/her mid back makes a huge difference. It means a superior ability to lead flourishes as well as to control speed and ending time/orientation of the swing. As a follow I usually find that I can support my own weight through my partner's shoulder but can do little else to direct the action. Brian Hamshar Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
