my theory: if you don't dance both roles, and don't have experience dancing with someone of a similar size differential (e.g., men who dance as ladies with a taller person dancing as a gent or women dancing as gents with a shorter person dancing as a lady), then you shouldn't be telling someone what to do when dancing the same role as you.
you can tell your dance partner what feels best for you, but you can't speak to what works for others, particularly when you've never been in their shoes. Les On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 8:52 AM, Linda Leslie <[email protected]>wrote: > As a dancer who often role switches, I have noted that "leaning" can have > some dramatic consequences for my right arm when I dance the gent's role. I > tend to avoid using this word, but do like "relax", "connection", and other > concepts that might get to a better swing experience. I would love to hear > about other words that seem to work for dancers/callers. > Linda > > > On Feb 19, 2014, at 10:25 AM, George Mercer wrote: > > The "Where to place the gent's hand for a swing" is a curious problem for >> me. I've generally been told I have a good swing, but every once in a >> while I'll be dancing with someone who insists/demands I move my hand >> further up on the back or much lower. I do what I'm asked to do. I >> hesitate to suggest to anyone that swinging involves "leaning back." As >> for body tension/giving weight, I suggest they use the guide that one uses >> for gardening and even child rearing -- firm but gentle. Tension but not >> stiff or rigid. You can do both. I also find myself when dancing with >> new >> dancers telling them to relax, body rigidity or stiffness is not the >> answer >> and it doesn't help them or the person their dancing with at that moment. >> Relax. Firm but gentle. Let me know you're there, Thanks. >> >> >> On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 9:33 AM, Harold E. Watson <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> Sometimes we'll hold a quick swing teach during a break. I've always >>> taught the gents to place their right hands between the ladies shoulder >>> blades. This provides support for the ladies' backs so they can lean >>> back >>> into it to balance with swing and it doesn't hurt their back. (We have >>> some gents that insist on swinging at around 90 RPM.) One of the more >>> difficult thing I've had to teach beginner ladies is get used to leaning >>> into that hand. They have a tendency to tightly grip my right shoulder >>> rather than relax. It can be a difficult concept for a newbie. >>> >>> Harold >>> >> > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
