Hmm. Not sure I'd do this: I don't want to give any impression that
leaning backwards in a swing is ok—I really want folks upright. When
I'm doing a full workshop (not just taking a minute to show something
during a dance), I get folks in allemande position (I don't call it
that yet, because we're doing something else for the time being), and
then have them go around fast—fast enough they have to give weight—
and tell them to pay attention to what it feels like in their hands
and arms. I then have them do it again starting out fast but then
slowing waaay down but keeping the same sensation in their hands &
arms. I tell them that's called "giving weight" and that we do it all
the time in contra dancing, pretty much anywhere you can (anywhere
but the wrist-grip star). I generally end up doing the swing after
several other things, 'cause by then they've really got giving weight
down pat. I always teach both walking and buzzstep swing, emphasizing
that both are perfectly correct. I make a point of saying that the
pointy hand in ballroom position is decorative, not part of giving
weight. I also bring up safety/comfort in a few places—keeping your
thumb against your other fingers in allemande position makes it
easier to get out of a deathgrip (I don't call it that), not bending
your wrist in allemande position and how to signal the other person
not to, not whacking nearby dancers with your pointy hands in a
swing . . . . Specific things, but also explicitly teaching it gets
across the idea of keeping it in mind.
Oh, and after showing giving weight in a circle-four, explaining why
grapevine is bad, even though they'll see other dancers doing it. I
hate grapevine in contra.
--Read Weaver
(new to the list, fearing I've repeated what's been said many times)
On Sep 1, 2011, at 3:02 PM, Hanny Budnick wrote:
I ask the couple to stand opposite each other, cross hands and then
FALL BACK without moving their feet. So their feet are close
together, their butts further apart - and their heads furthest
apart. To an outsider it would look like a cone.
I emphasize that this can be done despite height and/or weight
difference between the
