Hi Rick,

              I find that the cross-hand hold doesn’t provide good connection, takes up too much space and encourages leaning back.  I always teach the Forearm Swing for this type of group – see https://contrafusion.co.uk/SwingWorkshop.html#Linked – that is very quick to teach and works really well.  It also flows very nicely into a Promenade Hold by just sliding the right hands down the arms.

              There are lots of great dances for this type of group in the top half of https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLITfllSO9aV0DNCtcgAQdCDctl2rn6OZg – they all have instructions – contact me if you need more.

              Easy Contras:

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/CheekboneCity.html

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/DixieDoo-Dah.html (change men/ladies to first/second corners in any dance)

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/Duck.html

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/FindingYourBalance.html

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/LifeisButAMelancholyFlower.html (a little harder)

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/SlithyDance.html (do B2 as Grand Petronellas for the whole set)

https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TrainingWheels.html

              There are more at https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances.html if you don’t mind Ladies’ Chains.

            Happy dancing,

                   John                      

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent