5 Sep
2011
5 Sep
'11
10:17 a.m.
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 <kyrmyt(a)cavtel.net> 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
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