Practica Notes: 10th May 2011, Radlett

We did a number of exercises at Tuesday's practica in Radlett. Here's a list of them, to use as aides-memoire for you.

Exercise 1: Reverse roles

In practice hold, women leading, men following, and women leading.

Benefits:

  • Learn what it's like from the other side of the fence; hopefully allows some more empathy with your partner when it goes horribly wrong :)
  • If you know some following, you'll improve your leading, and vice versa.

Exercise 2: No hands!

In close embrace, leaders and followers have chest-only contact (arms held either by your sides or behind your back).

Benefits:

  • Forces the lead to lead with the centre / chest, as that's the only point of contact.
  • Forces the follower to keep her own balance, rather than using the arms for stability / support.

Variation: place a sheet of paper between you. If the paper drops to the floor, you've lost the game.

Exercise 3: No touching!

No hold at all - simply visual lead-and-follow.

Benefits:

  • Forces the leader to focus on, and communicate well with, his partner.
  • Forces the follower to be on axis all the time, with no support from her partner.

Exercise 4: Solo ochos

Forward and backward ochos, by yourself, slowly and in control.

Benefits:

  • Forces you to power all these movements by yourself, rather than use your partner for support or energy.
  • Helps work on dissociation and control.

Exercise 5: Floorcraft

Everyone in close embrace, all dancing in a very small area.

Benefits:

  • Forces you to use small, controlled movements.
  • Makes you much more aware of other couples.