27 Jun
2013
27 Jun
'13
1:37 a.m.
As for the no-thumb allemande: Years ago, I started having a problem with
my left thumb aching for days after a dance, from the allemande lefts.
This started almost 30 years ago, so I can't blame that problem on
advancing age. As far as I'm concerned, doing an allemande without locking
thumbs is an improvement which has been made necessary by the modern
tendency to do an allemande all the way around in four beats instead of six
or eight. I'm always delighted when I run into another dancer who gives me
a no-thumb allemande. Anything that prevents injury is a good thing.
Jacob Bloom
jandnbloom(a)gmail.com
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:03:40 -0700
From: Erik Hoffman <erik(a)erikhoffman.com>
To: jean francis <catherineaura(a)yahoo.com>om>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject:
Re: [Callers] First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
Message-ID: <51CA924C.8060601(a)erikhoffman.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
[1] An aside: many people call this the "wrist grip" form. I encourage
us all to remove the word "grip" from out teaching lexicon, as gripping
has led to griping, and that (IMHO) horrid no-thumb allemande... The
connection is through hooks and surfaces to lean on, not through
gripping. And, although I don't like the no thumb allemande, when do I
teach this form of star, I encourage all five fingers, thumb included,
going over the top of the wrist in front - no grip.
erik hoffman
~oakland, ca
27 Jun
27 Jun
3:07 a.m.
New subject: First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
Here Here, Jacob! I'm a no thumb sort of gal. Arthritis and general grip and grab
lends to self-protection. I can give considerate and dance worthy weight and connection
with no thumb. I have had bruises from the tight finger clench. I've been hurt with
the twists and turns...
Erik, I also concur with the change of language on wrist "grip". I tell new
folks (not helping with the "regulars", sigh) to be conscious of weight in the
"wrist style" star. I demonstrate how connection is not shown when the hand
hold stars are all over the place, and I show how the "weight" of the wrist
style (I've heard wagon wheel?) is hurtful or counter productive to
"connection". I also point out height challenges and how to be considerate
towards them. Again, not helpful to the "regular" dancer that ignores all
this.
Also, I have talked with many who have developed, as I have, a shoulder/ neck problem.
This seems to come from inexperienced dancers or assertive regular dancers (not terribly
good dancers) when they FORCE a turn, especially at an incorrect time.
I'd love to hear from someone how to describe to a dancer who wants to twirl what the
correct timing is - can someone give me a good way to put this out there?
Laurie
West Michigan
________________________________
From: Jacob Bloom <jandnbloom(a)gmail.com>
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
As for the no-thumb allemande: Years ago, I started having a problem with
my left thumb aching for days after a dance, from the allemande lefts.
This started almost 30 years ago, so I can't blame that problem on
advancing age. As far as I'm concerned, doing an allemande without locking
thumbs is an improvement which has been made necessary by the modern
tendency to do an allemande all the way around in four beats instead of six
or eight. I'm always delighted when I run into another dancer who gives me
a no-thumb allemande. Anything that prevents injury is a good thing.
Jacob Bloom
jandnbloom(a)gmail.com
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:03:40 -0700
From: Erik Hoffman <erik(a)erikhoffman.com>
To: jean francis <catherineaura(a)yahoo.com>om>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject:
Re: [Callers] First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
Message-ID: <51CA924C.8060601(a)erikhoffman.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
[1] An aside: many people call this the "wrist grip" form. I encourage
us all to remove the word "grip" from out teaching lexicon, as gripping
has led to griping, and that (IMHO) horrid no-thumb allemande... The
connection is through hooks and surfaces to lean on, not through
gripping. And, although I don't like the no thumb allemande, when do I
teach this form of star, I encourage all five fingers, thumb included,
going over the top of the wrist in front - no grip.
erik hoffman
~oakland, ca
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1 Jul
1 Jul
12:48 a.m.
New subject: First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
Yeah, I don't understand the problem with no thumbs--I go out of my way to teach the
no-thumb hold to beginners, mostly to avoid twisted thumbs from the person who doesn't
let go in time. Is there some thought that it leads to the bent-wrist hold?
On Jun 26, 2013, at 9:37 PM, Jacob Bloom wrote:
As for the no-thumb allemande: Years ago, I started
having a problem with
my left thumb aching for days after a dance, from the allemande lefts.
This started almost 30 years ago, so I can't blame that problem on
advancing age. As far as I'm concerned, doing an allemande without locking
thumbs is an improvement which has been made necessary by the modern
tendency to do an allemande all the way around in four beats instead of six
or eight. I'm always delighted when I run into another dancer who gives me
a no-thumb allemande. Anything that prevents injury is a good thing.
Jacob Bloom
jandnbloom(a)gmail.com
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:03:40 -0700
> From: Erik Hoffman <erik(a)erikhoffman.com>
> To: jean francis <catherineaura(a)yahoo.com>om>, Caller's discussion list
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject:
>
> Re: [Callers] First-time Contra Dancers and similar figures
>
> [1] An aside: many people call this the "wrist grip" form. I encourage
> us all to remove the word "grip" from out teaching lexicon, as gripping
> has led to griping, and that (IMHO) horrid no-thumb allemande... The
> connection is through hooks and surfaces to lean on, not through
> gripping. And, although I don't like the no thumb allemande, when do I
> teach this form of star, I encourage all five fingers, thumb included,
> going over the top of the wrist in front - no grip.
>
> erik hoffman
> ~oakland, ca
4317
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