Hi Kat,
Yes, I thought you meant something like you show in your photo. When
you mentioned Jeff's photo I did wonder, as it is what I call a Foreshortened
Hold in my video and brings you closer together rather than further apart.
I picked up the Foreshortened Hold from the cover of Zesty Contras and
love it. I was surprised when I analysed the 600 dancers at a contra dance at
The Flurry and realised that nobody else was using it!
We tried your Modified Ballroom Hold Swing and didn't feel that it
really worked. With my right arm underneath there didn't seem to be enough
connection to have a really good swing unless Karen gripped my arm. I felt
that my hand might slide down. With my right arm on top Karen felt that it was
pulling on her shoulder even though I wasn't gripping - it was just awkward.
So, sorry, but I won't be using that one.
Re all the references to sore arms/hands/wrists/etc. The biggest
problem is that people are told to "give weight". I don't want your weight!
People misunderstand and lean back or sideways. If people control their own
weight then all the connection has to do is counter centrifugal force and that
it not a lot inless you spin really fast.
I always start a Swing lesson by getting the dancers to Buzz on the
spot BY THEMSELVES. Then when they connect they keep their own balance and
weight.
I have had major operations on both my shoulders (too much Repetitive
Strain Injury from another style of dance that is taught badly, and then lots
of Aerials: https://youtu.be/CJnL_Y63AnY?si=RqKHSw5MQmhiuIFT - maybe I
shouldn't have started doing those in my fifties!). Anyway, I can't afford to
let people damage my shoulders. With a good partner I can Swing at high speeds
with no problem. Whenever someone leans back or sideways I just slow the Swing
down and lessen my connection so that they have to take their own weight or
fall over.
Anyway, if you can get everyone to keep their own weight you will find
it is much less strain on your arm/hand/wrist.
The standard Quebecois Swing has the feet interleaved. They seem to do
it without any problem. It is just a different feel and takes some getting
used to.
Someone mentioned the challenges with being too close in a Ceilidh
Swing (http://contrafusion.co.uk/SwingWorkshop.html#Ceilidh ) - you could
always try the Forearm Swing instead
(http://contrafusion.co.uk/SwingWorkshop.html#Linked ) - same principle, but
further apart so no bodily contact.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362 & 07802 940
574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
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