Last Week's Lesson: Fighting to Come Back

Well as this week's lesson looms before me I must tell you about the last, it was vastly better than my last report!

The lesson began with the question that is almost always asked of me: "How many this week?" to which I could honestly answer...

"Two."

"Good knocking them down one and two at a time!" RT cheered, followed by a high five (the studio is big on high fives...don't know why).

"If you remember" I retort, "it was supposed to be five."

"I know, but two is great you'll get there one at a time."

What was that! No disappointment? Pure support? That seriously wasn't what I was expecting. Why do I build stuff up in my head like that? I was ready for a knock down drag out war with him about how insane it is to drop five pounds in one week... Although, I have to admit I was very pleased to have the two pounds to report!

We opened with Salsa, becoming a very very strong presence in my lessons. Thankfully because I had worked so hard the past week, I wasn't nearly out of breath by the end of the spins, double spins, sombreros and whatever else RT was leading. I must have been doing fairly well because there were some new leads in there too, RT tried a lead for me into an outside turn (left) by using his body... THAT was interesting the first time I had no idea what he was doing, and wouldn't have had a clue unless he told me that's what it was. Then there is some really crazy and not very comfortable things RT was doing with his, and therefore my, arms. That I don't care for very much, and told him as much.

Then it was breaking down the kinetic and potential energy that goes into a cross body lead. This is where the frustration of the lesson presented itself. Apparently I don't use my upper body in my dancing enough. I'm creating too much leverage here, not resisting enough there. It took a lot of cross body leads for me to show improvement. Then there is the use of my upper back muscles... or actually the lack of use. I was surprised RT could feel the difference... Turns out I'm using mostly my upper arms and shoulders to create the tension, whereas I should be using the muscles behind my shoulder blades. So we did it again and again and I tried to focus my thoughts on using those back muscles. I think I showed improvement... RT then gave me an exersize to practice at home using said muscles... I am to hang on to a door frame no farther from the door than my forearms will allow and create resistance by slightly leaning forward and back and controlling the movement with my upper back. Well I can do the motion well enough, but engaging those muscles is proving to be a challenge.

I have a life long habit of not using the proper muscle groups for activities. I used to have poor knees so I lift with my back, my power comes from my legs so I use those to push and pull things, and I won't even get into the things my body will do to NOT engage my ab muscles. (The last being a constant irritant because that's EXACTLY where I'm trying to drop the weight. I guess my upper back is now added to the things I have to work on. Truly it makes sense because I even hold my frame with my upper arms and shoulders, with the support coming from above my topline, where as I should be using those same back muscles as my primary support so it comes from under the top of the frame... So I guess I'll be hanging off some door frames and cubical walls for a while.

Moving on, RT asked about Bolero and I flat out denied him. I had worked my knees so hard over the last few days that Bolero would have killed them! There was no way I was going to be able to hold anything that resembled a Bolero step because the knees are never really supposed to be straight. I could do a rise and fall for Waltz because that was short and I could do Samba because that was fast. So Samba it was.

My Samba is tragic... but improving! Slowly but surely I think. While RT has never said anything about my hanging on him, I think I'm hanging on him less. So we worked on Samba for a bit, while I normally have little trouble with the timing, I was having some issue with it. Then my tendancy to pull my leg back in quickly was corrected...you're supoosed to leave your leg out there, show it off a bit, and then pull it back for the next part of the basic... that is going to be tough to get down good... I don't like it when either of my legs are out from under me for too long. Ah well, something new to work on! I didn't get any compliments, but I didn't get any negative remarks either. So I was reasonably pleased...and still not out of breath!

Cha Cha was next on the lesson plan. GOOD! Time for redemption after last week's dismal display. This Cha Cha was not technically great, better than most, but not great. My following however was dead on! We did a few good Cha Chas and a lot of spins (no doubles, I still can't pull them off independently) when we ended the last one RT said "Great, now I can lead you into spins from almost anywhere." Yippee! Although I can't imagine were else a spin could be lead from we did them everywhere!

Then RT looks at me "Rumba time, we always do Rumba."

HA! Rumba we did, and I worked on my hips some more, and the spiral at the end of the Cuban walks... RT spent forever trying to get the way he wanted it to finish to me... we broke it down, we practiced. I had always done it where the Spiral comes all the way around to face my partner and then finish the basic, but no... RT wants me to now do the spiral, end facing away from him, and then wait for his lead to whip me around. It took SO long for me to get that from what he was describing. When I finally got it, I told him... "Why didn't you just say that?"

"I was trying to." He stated.

I think I'm going to have to pay attention more closely and work with RT on using less words. For a quiet guy, he really can use a lot of unnecessary words to explain stuff!

Last few minutes of the lesson and RT said "How about Fox Trot we haven't done that in a long time."

"Fox Trot... hmmm... I don't even think I remember how that one goes." I joked, but I was concerned... it had been a LONG time since we'd done a Fox Trot!

Off we went... at first it was a little rough, but I found my stride, and we did a nice basic Fox Trot around the floor, and then RT whispers while leading me into a turn (which are slow and graceful in this dance) "Double." Well...ok then... so I sped my first turn up a bit, and managed to get a second one in before it was time to close frame. Neat! I'd never done that before. It's always nice to end the lesson on a high like that. Well, in all actuality it wasn't that impressive, but in my head it was! I'll have to ask for a little more smooth over the next few lessons I think.

Wow! That felt better that last week that's for damn sure! It's just what I needed to continue stepping up my game and do away with those lessons that just drag me and my instructor down!

Saturday Social: One Heck of a Salsa Party!

I hate it when life gets in the way… I'm more than a week behind! So, this Saturday outing was actually the last Saturday in April.

Captain and I decided to head out for a new-to-me studio for a party that was actually being held by a dance company renting the space. Unfortunately I neglected to get this group's information at the time…but I'll keep an eye out because this group was a lot of fun! They put on one heck of a Latin party. I was certainly hoping for a good night, after my last lesson my confidence was a bit shot.

We arrived at the posted time, but as it turned out the party actually didn't start for an hour, (some kind of web snafu) so we made ourselves busy at the restaurant across the street, and dilly dallied in the studio while they set up. The space was nice, very much an urban loft style and for a studio had the fewest mirrors I'd ever seen! It was a warm and inviting atmosphere with rope lights around the pillars giving off a very candle like glow. As the Salsa music was going strong we took our spots on the edge of the dance floor.

The both of us were asked to dance early on, and we both realized this was predominantly not a style of Salsa that we're used to. First, most of the leads, as kind and cute as they were, would lead Salsa On2 (meaning that first step doesn't happen until the second beat of the measure, something I have yet to figure out). Captain being a much stronger follow than myself can dance On2, but prefers On1…whereas my whole world begins on the first beat. Thankfully the members of this Dance company understood and obliged our On1 preference. Second, these leads were pulling spins and direction changes from places I didn't know existed! By the end of my second dance I knew I was in way over my head, and tried to make an effort to study what I was seeing and attempt to shut off my brain and follow. That produced mixed results (I later learned that this troupe dances almost exclusively choreographed dances which lends itself to being hard to follow...that makes me feel better).

I did get asked to Cha Cha a few times as well, the first with one of the lead members of this dance company, I tell you Social Cha Cha is NOT Ballroom Cha Cha! This lead included Shines, and steps that are generally reserved for Salsa, difficult to follow for sure. Second was a lead that admitted up front that his Cha Cha wasn't his strongest dance, but his basic was strong! He said to me at one point "If there's something you want to do just back lead me into it!" Which was very kind of him to say...first time a lead has ever said that to me, but of course my mind went blank on how to start anything!!! This basic did allow me to use more of the Ballroom style, like checking (putting one foot directly behind the other) for forward and back and I even felt ok with a little arm styling... which those that have seen me dance know I typically lack. Sure the principals are the same for the social Cha but the music doesn't let you get a good "Cha Cha Cha"! If you ask me the "Cha Cha Cha" is the best part of the basic in this dance, how can you not allow time for it!

There were some salseros, and social dancers that were good leads and some of the pairings were just fantastic to watch! One lead in particular had me going for two full songs…fast ones… he was thankfully an On1 with familiar technique..but still...I just about died before the end (these were some of the longest salsas EVER they must have averaged five full minutes!)

We danced a lot more than at most parties we attend, but there were two gents on the floor that had a lot more lasting power than did the Captain or myself. They just kept dancing! It was quite an inspiration for me. Here I am nearing 30 years old and these two, easily twice my age, were burning the floor with nearly every dance! That's the kind of thing that stays with me. I hope to have half that energy as I age.

It was a great night, we left with the definite intention of returning! Whew! Just what I needed!

Last Week's Lesson... Just Trying to Keep Up.

Well in the spirit of my last post, my last lesson wasn't the greatest. It was a study in all that I've lost in my fitness by having a sluggish winter.

We opened with Salsa, I was having trouble almost immediately with the timing on my spins… I was coming around too fast and losing the beat. I think it ended up being ok, but I was getting winded very quickly! By the end I was doing better, but could already feel my face getting red, and I really didn't like the way this was going.

Next up was East Coast Swing, which I thought started out good, but I got that quiet plea of "Come on Kat" from RT, his ever so polite way of telling me I'm lagging. I tried to rally, but it just wasn't working out well… In the end it ended up being a fair Swing, but I wasn't happy at all with my performance. To make matters worse, the next dance was Cha Cha!

"Next blog post is going to be 'The lesson where RT kicks my butt!'" I joke with RT while trying to catch my breath.
"What's going on? How much did you lose this week?" RT inquires.
"Nothing…but now that the weather is nicer I'm working out more but that only started two days ago, I just haven't seen the results yet."
"Why is that? What did you do last week?" (RT was away at a competition last week, so I had no lesson)
"Because, nothing I do at home is as intense as actually dancing." I reply, hoping that could end the conversation.
But no, RT simply states "You know, there are no excuses with me."

Well crap! I hate it when he calls me out like that! I know I need it, but it makes me look like a failure.

"Come on… you said Cha Cha pick a song!" I tell him, still trying to change the subject
"Ok Cha Cha" he replies, "Next week I want you to loose five pounds do you think you can do that?"
"Maybe, if I actually get the full week, seriously I'm starting up again, but five pounds is a lot, and not really healthy." I inform him as we take up our dance frame.
"Five pounds, no excuses." And we begin our Cha Cha…which probably due to my over exhausted state felt really weird.

After that dismal display we moved on to Rumba, which was better I think.. well it felt like it was better.

We ended the lesson reviewing that RT wants me to pick up the pace again and start reporting some weight loss. He’s totally right… I’m WAY overdue.

The ride home was filled with thoughts of improvements and RT’s quietly insistent voice “There are no excuses with me Kat.”

Angel on the Right, Devil on the Left... Let the Battle Begin!

I have an inherent trait of laziness... I never thought I was lazy. I'd been told by a few that I was... but somehow it never really sunk in. As Spring arrives, I've come to realize how much of a bear I've been over the winter, by that I mean that I've just been lazy like a Grizzly Bear- with the sleeping and the eating and doing the absolute minimum to keep from putting on weight. Now, as I look at what I was doing last year at this time, compared to what I'm currently doing it becomes painfully obvious. I've allowed myself to get lazy again. UGH!

As I come to grips with the fact that I am, by nature, a lazy person when it comes to doing things I don't particularly enjoy. I first get irritated that this is even a conversation that I have to have with myself, I then begin to plot out my plan for the next several months to improve.

It feels like I have two people in my head... One (the Angel) that desperately wants to continue to improve and continue to shed the weight and become the best person she can. The second (Lazy Devil) that is EQUALLY as strong just wants to do enough so I can make it through my dancing without looking totally winded. The Lazy Devil plays dirty too, she uses things like reminding me that I won't be able to financially handle dance lessons anywhere for much longer, so what's the point? The Angel, reminds me of all I've done and how sad I would be if I lost everything I've worked for. If I put them together into the total me I'd say I have good arguments both ways, if I can't dance anymore why bother trying? However if I consider the mass amount of financial and physical resources, and all the wonderful things I've gained because of this passion of mine I would be devastated to a terrifying degree to end it all, that's one thing both sides agree on... Ending dancing would not be good for either side.

So, what's the solution? Well, I don't have one yet... but both parties are working on one, I've put the Angel in charge. I have a lot of things working against me here, and a lot working for me too. My life outside of dancing has been changing as well, creating some unexpected stress in ALL aspects of my life, but I will persevere, it's just a matter of how.

I am very glad that Spring is here, it's another opportunity for me to kick start the hardcore plans of last year and start getting some big weight loss numbers. It's also much easier for Angel me to win the argument for working out. I still remember what it felt like to post those numbers, and to suddenly HAVE to buy something to wear because nothing I owned fit (in a good way).

Until I do have a solution that will keep my bills paid, and my feet on the dance floor I'm taking it one day and one thing at a time. I'll keep you posted... Wish me luck!

Saturday Social Part II

Immediately after leaving Dance Connection, Capitan and I drove to a favorite studio party of ours, Latin Rhythms. As we arrived the party was already in full swing! It's amazing, each time we go to a party here we are surrounded my new and different people! Captain and I found a nice place to stand, and immediately Captain was asked to dance, that is definitely a good sign! I personally have only been asked to dance at this venue a few times, sometimes even making it without being asked once in a night. I was certainly hoping this would be a night of dancing!



After a bit of waiting, and trying to decide if I was actually going to be confident enough to ask someone to dance, I was pulled to the floor for a nice Salsa. All I could think during the whole dance was Don't think just follow...don't think just follow... over and over, I have to because there are a lot of patterns that I can follow, but have never actually done before... but I can only follow them if I let my body do what it now knows to do, and get my brain to just sit back and enjoy. I'm pleased to say that it must have worked because when the dance was over my lead asked if I would stay on the floor and dance another Salsa! We did, and it went much better! He even walked me through a combo I was having a little trouble with.

When the second dance was over, I made a point to thank him for the dances and I met up with Capitan on the sidelines. I would have been ecstatic with another dance for the evening, but even if it didn't happen I was SO happy I got two dances with the same leader. It's REALLY hard to break into new dance crowds... it's similar to starting a new school, you have to keep showing up and making your presence known, making the most out of each interaction, until eventually you will become accepted and start receiving more invitations to dance.

Then this studio had their show for the night, which was an awesome dance troupe that did an amazing Salsa! This studio produces some amazing things! I'm really glad I've had the opportunity to get to know some of the folks involved in it.

After the show, another friend and fellow student from our studio joined us, it's so great when we can meet up for a dance event! It wasn't long before our friend made the observation "This is so different than what we do at our studio!" It certainly is! The studio we all take lessons at teaches primarily American style competitive ballroom, which is vastly different from what is done out socially. I actually prefer the look of what we do at our studio to that of the look of the social dancing, but I enjoy actually dancing both styles equally! The one thing that's absolutely in common is the basic rules, Lead, follow, music, basic steps.... Captain and I reminded our friend that she just has to follow and everything will work out. (Our friend has quite a strong ability to follow, so she looked really good out there!) My friends were on and off the floor for the next hour or so, as predicted I wasn't asked to dance again... but as the night wore on I was getting to tired to make the most of any dance I would have been asked to do anyway.

Captain and I headed for home, and while this was not an ideal dance evening... for me it was better than most, and I absolutely plan to hit these studio parties again!

Saturday Social Part I

This past Saturday Capitan and I had a full social schedule! First, we ventured out to Dance Connection for their Salsa Party. This is the same studio that Capitan and I worked on Rueda all those months ago. I'm pleased to say that I've been able to keep in touch with Alex (the primary instructor/owner) over the months and I was very excited to finally be able to make it to one of the parties.

What I love about this studio is the atmosphere. It always has a very inviting laid back homey feel, it's almost as if you've come into someone's home for a get-together and they've pushed all the furniture aside so we can dance! Capitan and I received a very warm welcome and were introduced to some of the students as they came in. Alex and crew put out a very nice snack spread of home made nachos, brought in chicken, and several gallons of lemonade along with the always available coffee and water. I noticed that some students had brought some libations of their own choosing to enjoy. It really felt like a neighborhood social event!



Shortly after the party started a couple sitting very near the edge of the dance floor got up and danced some Salsa, they looked like they were having a blast! Then, students of one of the more advanced Rueda classes got out there and danced some fantastic Rueda! What fun it would be to know some of those calls! Capitan and I hung back for most of the party, as happens when we show up as new faces to an already established group. We were happy to catch up with Alex and see what had been happening with him and the studio in our absence.

A little later in the party I was asked to dance Salsa by an older gentleman, it wasn't bad... he was a very good lead! I only had some trouble following because I'm not at all familiar with some of the purely social Salsa figures, something I will have to adapt to. Captain was asked to dance Tango by a student that was just picking up Salsa, but was more well versed in smooth, once he found out Capitan liked Tango... he felt compelled to ask her for a dance. After that Alex took his turns with us, leading Capitan in a West Coast Swing and me in a super fast Salsa! It's a major coup that we get asked to dance when it's our first time out somewhere!

Towards the end of the evening Alex had a surprise for us, one of the young dance troupes that rents his space for practice was on hand to give us a show. This group was high school age kids that put on a show of some traditional Latin dances. It was well done for such young people! After that Alex asked one of his students to help him show us a Viennese Waltz. It was beautiful and for a studio that concentrates primarily in Latin style dances a very pleasant surprise! I knew Alex had been trained in all manners of Ballroom and Latin dances but it was very nice to see it in action!

After the show, Captain and I decided to head off to our next location for the night, but I have a feeling we'll be making some more appearances at these parties. We bid Alex farewell with a promise to keep in touch.

I Want To Hear From You!

Hey Everyone!

'Tis the Season here in the US for everyone to get ready and let their opinion be known by casting a VOTE! (Well it's not until November, but with all the hoopla you'd think it was tomorrow)

Your opinion counts here too!

Above on the right is a new poll. I want to hear from you! Simply click on which topic you'd like to read more about! I write more for my readers than I do for myself so now is your chance to anonymously let me know what you're thinking! Polling ends on April 30th 2008 11:59pm CST.

Thanks!!
Kat

SALSA PARTY!

I know, two posts back to back...but hey I have to write when I can!

Last Friday, April 11th there was a very special event. It was a Salsa Party at the Fred Astaire in South Barrington. Let me tell you, dance wise they pulled out all the stops on this one! They brought in a LIVE Salsa Band and had not only Buffalo Grove (my home studio), but South Barrington, Mount Prospect and Vernon Hills Fred Astaire Studios were there too! This was GREAT! A room full of students and instructors that are all learning the same style!

The band they hired was very good, and great sports about working with the ballroom crowd. They are Rica Obsession! A local band to the Chicago area... if you are looking for a Latin band, check them out!

I walked in very nervous, because of the whole timing situation of my last lesson. I knew my Salsa would be ok...but I was scared if anyone would ask me to Rumba, would I be able to do it?
I met up with some of my dance friends and we chatted about this and that... I ran into some students from some other studio's that I normally only see at events like competitions. It was GREAT to see them at an event where we all had more time to chat!

Party started with a nice paced Salsa and TNG grabbed me right away... MAN can he dance now! He's so much fun! I've gotten the biggest kick out of watching him progress over the last few months. He's definitely a great addition to our studio! (Yes, I'm aware that TNG isn't really "The New Guy" anymore...So we'll say TNG stands for "The Nice Guy" now!)

Unfortunately the floor condition at this studio is a little different then at my dancing home, and my shoes were sticking! I know that everyone was pretty much sliding around, but you have to remember, I dance in flat jazz shoes with rubber soles..so where a ballroom shoe may slip, I will likely get tripped up from sticking! It took a few dances for me to warm up to the floor, and for me to figure out how much power was going to be needed for my spins... but I held my own until I warmed up.

At one point a teacher from my home studio asked me to dance, he's a bit of a show off, but a very good leader... He decided to open the Salsa frame to pull out some moves... I, for the first time ever at a studio event, pulled out some of the shines that RT's group class had taught me! That was a great feeling! This instructor even complemented me on the fact that I didn't just stand there like I used to! (Wow, he noticed!)

There were some rather advanced lead students there too... really gave me a run for my Salsa money...but I kept up! The first set ended just as RT grabbed me for a dance, and I so wanted to show off and play a little with him instead of being more formal like usual. Just as we started my ankle got a good kick from someone behind me... I wasn't mad.. it happens... but instead of following RT's lead for an independent spin I kept to my basic step making sure my ankle was ok... it was... I did the spin... and the song and set ended... :-(

Between sets, a few of the couples competing at the upcoming Fred Astaire Nationals in Las Vegas showed their stuff. Including Jackie Josephs and Jesse DeSoto, currently the most recognizable faces in ballroom in the area and very well known on the national circuit (although if Jesse doesn't watch out.. his brother is hot on his heels!) I love to see the pros do their thing... I know they work so hard at it...but they make it look so effortless!

Second set started and I some how spent most of the time on the floor! Whoo hoo! I had a few students ask me to dance more than once...which generally doesn't happen unless I know them personally...what a confidence BOOST that was! You know what this means...this means I can actually DANCE! (Salsa and Cha Cha anyway) With about 100 students in attendance...it's tough to find the same partner for more than one dance...and doubly hard to dance with an instructor more than once! My favorite instructor from Mount Prospect picked me up twice, as did one from Vernon Hills I'd never met before! Fortunately I danced with so many guys that I can't remember them all...(Oh, a girl should have such problems all the time!) but a few singular dances did stick out...

Jesse DeSoto was out on the floor dancing with students...it's pretty rare when this happens, and I know EVERY gal wants him to pick her up for a dance...I've been fortunate to dance with him before, so I wasn't going to pout if he didn't ask me to dance... but he did! He lead me in a Cha Cha of sorts... he said he liked to play within the music, and if I didn't always follow it wasn't my fault... well I'm pleased to tell you that I followed nearly everything the lead! Woo Hoo!!! (So happy about that, cuz the last time I danced with him, my following was pretty terrible.) He really kept me on my toes with a mix of Salsa stuff I'd never done to a Cha Cha beat, and some steps I'd just never linked together before... I followed nearly all of it, and what I didn't, I recovered from fast enough that it didn't ruin the dance!

Then I danced with an instructor from the Barrington Studio, I remember when he started just about a year ago...over that time the few times I've danced with him have been a blast! This time, was no exception... he picked me up for a Cha Cha, although he said he was hoping to get a Salsa. Hey, in a social setting, my Cha Cha is nearly as good as my Salsa...so I was happy dancing either. This dance stands out in my mind because we started kind of kidding round, and then he started leading some stuff that told me as a follow that he wasn't playing around with this Cha Cha...so I did what I call "turning it on" which I don't do often.... I don't even do it with RT very much because I can't learn when I do it... I can only follow...and only really in fast Latin Dances... The problem is that my face and my eyes mostly go into that total Rumba intense sexy kind of thing. I have to be careful because I've had some guys misinterpret this if you catch my drift... and it has caused me some problems... that is NOT what that look means for me! I just want to get the most out of the dance! This instructor had NO IDEA I could do that... I think I surprised the heck out of him...Something he did told me to bring my following up to that level..the highest one I've got so far... True to form he brought his gaze up to par and the Cha Cha was GREAT! At the end I made sure to break that intensity and gave him a big hug and thanked him.... He said I was very light on my feet... YAY!!! I love that compliment! I wish I could dance like that more often... He also said he was proud of me... AWWW... how sweet is that! An instructor that only knows me in passing, is proud of me!!! That is the best thing anyone said to me all night!

Towards the end I really wanted to try and get one more dance in with RT, I almost had it too... it was the VERY last dance of the night and he was headed for me... oh if we could have danced after the way my previous dances were going he would have been so proud of me! Just as I thought RT was going to grab my hand another instructor from Mount Prospect grabbed me, and I will not turn anyone down for a dance... besides I can't be sure RT was going to ask me anyway. This was fun because I had heard of this instructor, and I'd seen him dance with his students... what I love is that he was very surprised by my following... I don't know if he had spent most of the night dancing with newer students, or if he does that all the time... it seemed like he was genuinely surprised... I love it when I can surprise my lead with good following... it makes everything worth it.

I really hope there are more cross studio events in the future... I know everyone there had a good time. There's nothing like a whole evening of dancing with people you know, and that know how to dance! I really hope I can take some of the confidence this all built up and carry it with me into my practicing and future dance events... I'll be sure to let you know!

Last Week's Lesson... We Try for Double and Timing sticks out

Last week's lesson was a mixed bag... I think I started off on the "wrong foot" so-to-speak. RT and I usually try and warm up with something quick, Hustle, Salsa, something like that... and we tried to, but were interrupted by another instructor to show an example of two dances for his new students on their first lesson. This happens every now and again, it's commonly referred to in my group as the "Rumba/Waltz thing."

This is what happens... an instructor has brand new student(s) and at one point while explaining the differences in the dances, said instructor will ask a more advanced student/teacher couple on the floor to stop by asking if we can show them the difference between a Rumba and a Waltz. The reason for this is because the actual basic steps for American Rhythm Rumba and American Smooth Waltz are the same... for the follow it's back with the right, side step with the left, and then bring the right foot to close the gap (leads are opposite starting with the left going forward). However, the WAY these three steps are done and the way the overall dances are performed is COMPLETELY different! I love it when RT and I are asked to do this... I usually end up playing with the other instructor or I'll ask RT "I don't know...did you show me how to do that?" Sometimes I have to be careful though because the new students have been known to believe me, and sometimes the other instructor doesn't know my humor and thinks I'm upset with stopping my lesson... this is NOT the case at all! So, two seconds into my lesson, before I've gotten my "dance legs" I'm giving an example... my Waltz was completely off, but I think I recovered after some joking around. I think the Rumba was better, RT and I decided to show off a bit and pulled out one of the steps that are a tad more advanced than usually used for the examples.

That over, we tried to warm up again, and were then asked to show an example of an under-arm turn in Waltz for another instructor trying to explain it for his students. All I kept hearing RT whisper to me was "close your legs slower" UGH! My Waltz will never be right! I'm really glad I can at least follow it to a degree, but also glad that I don't spend a lot of time on it... it's the MOST frustrating dance to me EVER! At that point we gave up on a "warm up" and moved into some East Coast Swing.

Ah... East Coast... my first love... although I don't work on it much anymore so I think it's not as good as it used to be. I will say that it's because of East Coast that my spins are rocking in all my dances! As we're working on bringing my basic up to the next level, RT tells me mid-dance "Let's try for a double spin." By double spin... he doesn't mean two consecutive spins...which we've proven I can do (as long as my lead has my arm above my head, I can find my center that way for some reason). No, RT means two spins within the same measure! That's REALLY FAST! I say "Ok..." and before I can even think his arm is up and I'm around and back so fast I didn't even know what happened! I lost my balance a little... I looked at him with a completely shocked look and said "Holy Crap! I don't even know...was that it??"

"Yes, that was good, but instead of pushing your arm all the way up, just put it up there." He tells me...

Well, I didn't really understand what he meant... but we tried it again...and again I went so fast I couldn't even tell if it was two spins or not!

"Was that better?"

"No, that was the same... just put your and up, out pressure there but don't extend it all the way." RT follows that by showing me an example with his own arms.

"Oh! Ok! I think I get it, but would now be a good time to tell you that when I spin, I really only know about 3/4 of what I'm doing...the rest is done on a hope and a prayer." I tell him... He always thinks I'm crazy when I tell him I don't actually know what I'm doing, even though I may get something right... but it's true!

Well we stopped double spins for the moment... but I was just happy that I made it around that FAST and didn't land on the floor!

Next dance up was Samba, oh lordy I'm trying to get better at this... RT's approach today was to talk me through what I should be feeling and or acting out as I'm trying to do the rise and fall action (Samba is counted as 1 a2, 3 a4 and there is a little popup that happens along with all the hip work). Sometimes RT uses a LOT of words to describe something, and sometimes I have to tell him to stop using all the words and walk me through it... This time it ALL made sense... I just wasn't sure how I was going to apply it. He said, "Pretend there is a spring under your one foot, then pop up using the resistance, then pretend like the spring has moved to under the other foot and you're trying to push it down... use that to help you define the steps." - I know some of you are going to read that and go "Huh??" but trust me it makes sense... applying it to practice is a whole other thing, but I think I got it.... for some of the time... I have no consistency in this dance yet. We worked on Samba for a long time... and just about the time I was about to start getting angry we changed up.

Hip action was the name of the game... oh CRAP... my hip action is terrible and I know it! Not only did he want to work on my hip action, but he wanted to bring it up to Cha Cha timing... HA! So he put a Cha Cha song on, but we didn't actually do the dance... instead we stood facing each other doing Cha Cha basic in place with RT trying to make me get my hips going. It worked... kind of... at one point he said "Oh, come on Kat, my hip action is bigger than yours!" to which I could only respond...

"Hello, you're a professional dancer!"

"Hello Kat..." I get in the same sarcastic tone "You should be able to do this!"

Fine! I think to myself...and I give it another go... there is something about my Cha Cha...when I practice at home, actually moving within the basic pattern... side to side or forward and back, I have hip action! The way my muscles feel when I'm done tells me I do! Where does it go when I'm working in place? I have no idea... BUT.. when RT decides to start moving side to side in the Cha Cha way I practice... PRESTO... the hips made an appearance! Then...they disappeared again. *Sigh* consistency... I need more consistency in my dancing! We worked on it for a while, and when RT and I were pleased that my hips were agreeing to show up and work we put it aside...and I was assigned hips for homework.

"How about a Rumba... you love to work on Rumba!" RT says...thinking this is exactly what I wanted to hear.

I tell him "It wouldn't be a lesson without Rumba, and I like to work on it because it's so important to the other dances... Ok... Rumba."

It was TRAGIC! I was trying to follow along, I wasn't even paying attention to the music...my fault... and RT tells me at the end of the song "Finally the last few boxes were on time." I wanted to grab him and shake him!

But I didn't, instead I pleaded... "Hey, look, when I dance with guys out socially, I often run into guys that only dance whatever is in their heads, not to the music playing, I'm sorry I just tuned out the music."

For which I received a brief lecture on how the music is my FIRST leader....and I should always deffer to that... well ok... I was still CRUSHED that my Rumba...after how hard I've worked on it... was off time... it was even off time when I paid attention to the next song! I now have decided that I will ONLY practice my Rumba box with music on... I'll even do it with songs that aren't Rumba, so I can just work on playing with the rhythm. I hang on to all my dance confidence with such a thin thread... finding out I wasn't able to keep time was simply devastating! Second assignment... practice timing in Rumba... check.

Finally we wrapped up with Salsa... my new true love... RT says "We work on Rumba every time, but we work on Salsa too!" thinking that would make me feel better.

I wasn't going to let him know that it does make me feel better... so I just said "Yes, we do...neither of which is actually my choice." (But I do LOVE working on Salsa, and Rumba... sometimes it's better that my instructor doesn't know these things.) <---I can say that here because RT doesn't read my blog much anymore.. he he... :-)

So, after a good Salsa with some good consecutive turns we called it a lesson... Man! I love showing the examples to the new folks, but let me get my warm up in... it feels like the lesson just went down hill from there... and boy! Do I have a lot of homework until my next lesson!

Last Week's Lesson: Who Knew 2 Tiny Words Would Make me Lose my Mind?

Last week's lesson was nothing but laughs! Well, that's not entirely true... I learned stuff too... but there was a lot of laughing!

We started with Salsa, RT's new trend is to throw some Cumbia basic in it... it's nice to practice that in an actual dance scenario. After that warm up it was on to Rumba, where I learned my basic box (yes, it's a box when you learn American Rhythm....) is actually not bad...those were his words "not bad"...which I love because they're honest. However I seem to be having trouble as soon as we get out of that box into...just about anything else. So we spent some time working on making sure I lock my knee on which ever is the leg getting my weight. I don't normally lock my knees... my knees actually over extend a little and when they're locked my legs aren't actually straight. So I just never really lock them... well guess what...now I'm locking them! Doing that little thing, that one small thing... really helped with the whole hip motion too... which I'm sure was the goal. Once we'd established that new thing for me to work on in Rumba (I swear I'll never in life run out of things to work on in Rumba!) we moved on to what would be the hysterics in my lesson.

RT wanted to West Coast... which I'm all about working on that... I feel like I make the most progression or improvement in this dance in one lesson.... then it starts all over again at square one next time we work on it. I do have to say that while I definitely have to work on taking a bigger step backwards (either that or RT's arms have gotten longer) in the Sugar Push I have absolutely very nearly eliminated my "popping up" problem for the Coaster/Triple step! So we're doing a West Coast...I'm focusing on not popping up and making sure I'm as close to on time as I can get... when RT leads me into a passing move. I think it's one I already know so I'm quickly analyzing the few possibilities I have when I feel I'm being lead past him. Then out of nowhere for some unexplained reason it feels like he lets go. RT has NEVER let go of me during West Coast! So what does my brilliant self do? (Keep in mind I am absolutely terrible at following something I've never done before) I feel a light push on my back, but not enough to tell me where to go...so I keep going...right past RT for a good step maybe two...then I stop... I just freeze.

Hold one sec for a brief explanation break:

West Coast is difficult to explain if you haven't done it, but I have some international readers that aren't familiar so for them, and for any others who haven't learned West Coast Swing... It's a slot dance...which means a lot of back and forth for the follows (between 3 and 9 if we're dancing across the center of a clock) the leads pretty much stay in the center of the clock and face 12 or 6 depending on which direction and rail they are on as the follow is lead past... That's not an exact description...but it's close enough for these purposes.... I hope that helps.

So right after I pass... RT would be in the center of the clock facing twelve, and I'd be way out by the three standing on it and facing the outside edge...which is WAY beyond where I should be.

....and we're back!

I have no thoughts, I'm trying to figure out what the heck just happened.. I slowly turn to RT, with what must have been one of my classic shocked faces... only to discover he's laughing just about as hard as I've ever seen!
"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!?!" I shout.
"We've done that before." RT says in between laughs
"Oh no we haven't, you have NEVER let go of me during West Coast!" I declare...in a slightly softer tone.

RT insists that we have, but slowly walks me through this step anyway...It starts where I do pass him, he moves his one hand to bring it to my back and kind of pushes me as I pivot to face the opposite direction (for those keeping track of the clock, he's still at the same spot, I'm right next to/just in front of him, now facing the 9) and then I think I take a step forward, somehow we reconnect in frame (that part is fuzzy) and the move ends the same way a whip does (clock watchers: I go from facing 9 to being in frame with him (he's facing somewhere between 12 and 2 , so I'm facing him), then I think the whip ending has us rotate around and facing 3 and 9 respectively in frame when it's complete. Anyway... so we both got a good laugh out of my reaction to that step. I can't wait to see what happens if we try it again... I fully expect to make a fool of myself while trying to remember what the heck happens, after the pivot I'm totally lost.

That was funny and I'm glad we got a good laugh in, we don't do that nearly enough it seems...but it's NOTHING like what RT and I had in store for Bolero. Why is it the funniest things happen when no one intends on anything funny being there?(and why is it only one of us found all of this hysterical??) Ok..so Bolero... We worked on basic a little... I'm getting used to the concept of pushing my unweighted foot forward or back instead of stepping on it. Then RT says we're going to work on a step that is done a lot, I think it's called "Romantica" or something similar.

To catch you up real quick, Bolero is what I call the Waltz of Rhythm because it's slow, really slow, has huge rise and fall action big graceful arm sweeps and is very romantic... oh and I feel completely out of place when I'm doing it... it's not a dance I'm designed for, but I'm trying to get better at it.

Ok back to the action... so RT decides he can add a step to my basic... and he explains it to me as we're doing it: "We're going to rock back and forth, then when I tell you you're going to do a ____." I was following the back and forth part, but I didn't understand the last bit.

Something I don't think I've mentioned for those that have never met RT, he has what I would call a slight to moderate accent, as one who speaks 4 languages might...and I don't usually have trouble with accents at all... I've never had a problem with his...but whatever that was at the end of what he just said... I wasn't catching it... at all.

"You want me to do a what?" I ask, completely puzzled.

"____." he states... as though I should know what "____" is.

"Sorry try that again I have no idea what the last bit is supposed to be." I tell him.

At this point I'm growing very frustrated with myself for not following what he's stating. I'm thinking it's some grand dance term in some foreign language that I'm about to learn for the first time ever...

"Ok, it's a L-E-G C-R-A-W-L" he is kind enough to spell for me... ACK!!! how dumb to I feel??

Wait..it gets better...

"A 'leg crawl'??? What the heck is that?? I get the words... 'leg crawl'.. but I don't have any idea what that means!" I'm clearly frustrated that I'm not understanding. I really hate not understanding.

Yep that's right folks... I couldn't understand the words 'leg' and 'crawl'... I can really be an idiot sometimes... but then when I did get it... I had no idea what it means STILL... how the heck was my leg supposed to crawl?? After a few other ramblings by me and my frustration, RT kind of rolls his eyes and asks one of the gal instructors to help him show me what the heck I'm supposed to be doing...

So he leads the move.... rock back and forth...ok..got it that part... then the gal puts her leg on his hip it's there for a beat and then she puts her leg down and finishes the step. As soon as I saw that my head was screaming- Why didn't you just say..."Kat, put your leg on my hip"!

I refrained from blurting that out, instead I politely thanked my assistant teacher of the moment and tried to not to be frustrated anymore by 'leg crawl'. Then it was my turn to follow RT's lead... rock back and forth...leg on hip... ok... then what?... Just then was the moment that I just start absolutely laughing my head off! There we are standing on the floor with my left leg on his hip and my forehead collapsed on his shoulder because I can't stop laughing! - Oh what a picture we must have made!

Here's where it gets funnier, for me anyway, I suddenly realize... RT must think I'm laughing because I'm uncomfortable putting my leg on his hip... I have a big long history of not liking anything that involves hips or that could be interpreted as "suggestive." There are steps I've insisted he not teach me because of what my insecurities used to be.... What RT doesn't know is that I'm pretty much over all that silliness... with the dancers and students at this studio anyway... If he wants my leg on his hip...I'll put it there... he just has to SAY that... and not disguise the request with fancy words like... leg...and... crawl... HA!

To try and dissuade him from thinking I've lost my mind with laughter because I'm uncomfortable with the position I'm now standing in...(I'm pretty sure I put my leg down at some point...but I don't remember exactly when) I say into his shoulder "Two years man, it's been nearly two years and I have had no problems with your accent, and today the words leg and crawl turn into a big production!" I don't think he heard me... but I'm pretty sure he found at least part of my hysterics funny, at least I hope he did... after laughing settled I was worried about the possibility of just having put my makeup all over his shoulder....thankfully I didn't see any there.

Due to the fact that we...ahem...well... I... wasted so much time with my cracking myself up... I didn't bother to tell him just say 'put your leg on my hip'. I figured I'd just shut up and learn the end of the move...which involves me putting my leg back down after he's slightly moved and or rotated a little.... and then.... my mind is blank but somehow we end up doing the basic again I think... we did successfully get the rocking back and forth with the leg on hip thing accomplished a few times... next time I'll have to make sure and point my foot, because that's just prettier.

I have absolutely no idea what dance we ended on... we could have finished with more Salsa... I know we ended talking about being busy etc...and I know I have a lesson scheduled... but I'm still cracking up about cracking up... How has RT lasted dancing with me for so long? I fully expect the nice men with the straight jackets to be at the ready for my next lesson, another crack up like that and RT is likely to have me committed!

Dance Night with the Girls

Recently Capitan, Jem and I decided to try our hand at some more social dancing. We ventured pretty close to home this time to a studio in Palatine called Studio Viva! They were celebrating their first anniversary with a party. All signs pointed to a good night. Captain and I arrived first for the hour long lesson before the party began. As has been the trend at most social Latin parties the lesson was Bachata. For most of us Bachata is not our favorite dance, I love a social Bachata it's cute and playful, and the music is some of the easiest to follow. Some of the "club style" Bachata is only for those that know each other well, it's VERY close and very sensual in nature, I am not at the point, nor do I think I will ever be that I could dance like that with someone I don't already know. Thankfully the lesson was in the social style, I know Captain isn't a huge fan of this dance, but she was a great sport and per her usual style followed everyone really well. I, having Bachata experience mostly dancing on my own took a moment to follow in frame. We covered basic steps, side to side, front to back, we covered a cuddle hold, ladies spins and a spin for the gents. It was a pretty good time, definately a nice way to warm up to the people in attendance.

That over, the party warmed up with some Salsa. Jem arrived and we were off to our usual people watching from the sidelines while we waited for invitations to dance. Capitan was asked to dance almost immediately, and Jem was asked shortly there after. I did receive an invitation by a gentleman very new to Salsa. As much as I love to dance at my own level, I do get a kick out of the "newbies" too. Everyone has to start somewhere, and as much as I try not to help because I know as a follow that's not what I'm dancing for, there are some times when a kind word here or there can make the dance better for everyone involved. I thanked my lead for the dance and returned to our station on the sidelines.

The crowd was small, but very entertaining. There was a lady there seemingly alone, well and truly older than my group, she was a hoot to watch! She wasn't what I'd call an exceptional dancer by any means it's what she was wearing that drew nearly every eye in the place to her. She was decked out in an outfit that I wouldn't see on many women 20 years her junior and when she would spin the whole room would be witness to entirely too much information about the state of her figure. :-) There was another couple there Captain and I had seen in our dancing travels that dance very well together, clearly they were exclusive to each other... huh... must be nice to have a dedicated dance partner. One thing these social outings always provide is great people watching. It's amazing to see what people want to wear or how they dance. At one point a very fit woman about 10 years our senior approached Captain and asked if she was a professional dancer. Then, without indication crouched down and grabbed Captain's foot to inspect her Latin Shoes. There was a bit of conversation that this woman dances jazz and was very interested in the Latin dances. She seemed VERY familiar to me, reminded me of a jazz instructor I'd had more than a decade ago. If I could remember her name I would have asked. Anyway, I thought it very flattering for my friend that another dancer thought she was a pro.

It was becoming apparent to those running the party that not everyone was up and dancing, which tends to happen a lot. So an older gentleman grabbed the mic and suggested a group activity to drum up some random dance partners. The ladies all got in a circle and held hands, while the gents, who numbered a bit less, were instructed to circle around us. Then with the two circles rotating against each other we were told to stop randomly 4 times, when the ladies turned that would be their dance partner. I thought this was a great way to "force" some partnerships. I was lucky enough to be aligned with a partner 3 of the 4 stops. My first two leads were quite proficient, one was a very strong lead and very sure of where he wanted me to go, thankfully I followed nearly everything without error, my only disappointment was that he wasn't leading anything but simple turns and cross body leads. Next was a guy who told me up front "This is my second hour of Salsa." OK... so we'll see what he can do. You know what? For only having had very minimal instruction he had the basic, side basic, and the concept of open breaks...which was one of those things I couldn't help but to advise on... he seemed like a very quick study! Lastly was a gentleman who was either very new to Salsa or had only learned to dance in big group classes where no individual attention is provided. He could do some basic stuff roughly and some turns, his lead for cross body was so faint I didn't even feel it. My favorite part about this dance was I really couldn't mess up his leads because he would call them out right before he would do them. "And turn..." followed by a lead for a spin. "Side step" right before he would start a side basic... I was totally cracking up!

After a couple of hours, we noticed some gals dressed for belly dancing, which is another style this studio offers. It was at that point that the gals and I decided to call it an evening and head out for our customary post dancing snacks.

It wasn't a bad party, I would go again...maybe a little later next time...the party goes until 1am. I've checked out the studio's classes and they have a solid selection of offerings for their groups. May not be a bad way to get out and meet more folks in the dancing community.

RT's Group Class - Beginner Social Latin

A lot of you maybe know, and if you don't you should! RT teaches a group class on Monday nights at 8pm. It's a Latin class, but not really Ballroom/Rhythm Latin it's more of what you will find when you go out to a Latin club or a more social style Latin party. If you have taken Ballroom/Latin classes then go out to the Latin club or other social setting you may have the same shocked look that I did when I first went. Those are not the dances you've been learning! Well, the basic of Salsa and Mambo are similar enough that you can probably hold your own on the floor, but there are a few more Latin dances that most competitive style or formal style lessons won't teach you. That's what RT's class is for. I would be completely lost on a lot of what I see and do out socially if I hadn't learned from his class.

First you get to brush up on your Salsa, which most of the students at the studio I dance at don't work on... they work on Mambo... similar... but if you're like me...one small change can ruin the whole thing... this is good old On1 Salsa...you get to learn Shines, those playful little steps that happen when partners break frame during a Salsa. Which is great, I actually got to use one the other day and they make GREAT at home practice!

RT also covers Bachata which is gaining in popularity at a rapid pace here in Chicago, nearly any social Latin event you go to has a beginner class at the start, lately they're ALWAYS Bachata classes... RT's class is the opportunity to work on it in a much smaller, much more friendly environment. One or two of RT's classes and you can show the classes at the social events a thing or two about Bachata. Not to mention that a nice social Bachata is FUN!!! It's a lot more playful than even a Cha Cha, and if you get really good...watch out! You move your hips, get to spin, all the things everyone is always worried about doing well in public you can get the BEST foundation in this class!

Lastly, the dance I'm probably the most proud to have in my social Latin repertoire is Cumbia. RT doesn't cover it in every class, but if you request it he may be able to make the time. Cumbia is a Columbian dance, and is very similar to Salsa in attitude and has a similar up tempo. The basic (I describe as back-cross-side-tap... repeat) can be done as part of Salsa, but to make it official Cumbia you add a bounce on the 2 and the 4 beat. Which combined with the Cumbia music makes me think of a chicken bopping around the pen. That's just me though... you may listen to the music and think I'm crazy, in which case you'd be in good company.

Compared to the other two dances RT covers Cumbia takes a while to learn, it took me THREE full classes before I could even remember the basic (back-cross-side-tap....repeat) and a lot of practicing in my cube at work... now I can't get it out of my head... I really like it- bouncing and all! What I like the most is that it's like that one trick card you always want to have up your sleeve, because it's rare to find someone that can do it. I'm all about knowing something rare or unusual. I love it when I'm out and a Cumbia song comes on. The floor will likely clear out, or some couple will attempt a Salsa, very few actually know the Cumbia step, even fewer as exacting and attractive as RT teaches it. This is the ONE time I'll actually step on to the floor (albeit close to the edge) and start dancing Cumbia all by myself, or if my dance friends know it too so they'll join me. Sometimes I can remember some of the other steps that go with it there is one that scoots, and the turn is preceded and followed by 5th positions... I'll attempt those too...but really I'm all about the basic right now.

I began attending RT's group class when he started it maybe a year ago... then it got to the point where I pretty much knew everything he was teaching so I took a break. It is a beginner social Latin class after all so there is a point at which it all gets very repetitive, but I will pop in every now and again to keep my social skills in tune. If I'm having a bad day or coming off a rough weekend I'll use it as a great way to get in a good mood. I also love to see new people in there discovering dances they didn't know existed!

So, if you're looking to start picking up on some Social Latin, the kind of thing you'll see when you go to the Latin Clubs then jump into RT's Latin class... it will give you the foundation you need to really feel comfortable about your skills. The class is not cycled in eight week sections or anything, anyone can come at any time and it costs the same as a party. Definately dress comfortably and be prepared to get a bit of a work out in, the fun kind!

If I'm around and you're feeling stuck don't hesitate to ask me about the steps after class. RT can always help you too, but he unfortunately only has a minute before his next lesson, where as I am never usually in a rush and can always practice!

Lesson: Salsa, Rumba, Bolero and Samba

My last lesson was a real mix of what I know and am comfortable with and what is new and pretty much foreign to me. RT and I opened with Salsa and I immediately received the comment (or was it a compliment?) "Wow, you feel much lighter today!" I'm not quite sure how to take that really, but we'll go with it being a good thing. I think it means I was lighter on my feet than the last lesson, which is really good. I CAN be lighter on my feet, but by nature I'm really not. So I was pleased with that comment. We also did some lesser known elements, more social Latin like the Cumbia step (one of my favorites) and some little things you can do in Salsa, but don't generally see on the competition floor. Which I LOVE, mainly because I have become by definition a social dancer. After a nice warm up it was time to move on.

Rumba it was... it simply wouldn't be a lesson if we didn't do any Rumba at all...which is why I was perplexed when RT said "Wow, it doesn't feel like we've done Rumba in forever." My reply? "Yep it's been at least a week!"
"No, we haven't actually danced Rumba in a while." he states. Which come to think of it he's right, we kind of cruised over it the last few lessons because we needed to slow down, or just wanted to get my spiral right. RT also introduced me to a new lead where I turn 90 degrees after my second quick step and kind of side step into my slow. At least I think that's the timing of it...Anyway it was new to me and took some getting used to. THAT will look pretty cool once I get it. We worked on that, and the rest of my Rumba... it doesn't take me long to loose that fragile grasp I have on the Cuban motion if we don't work on it regularly, so I was glad for that. Cuban motion is vital to all things in Latin dances. I even did a very respectable spiral step at one point which I was very excited about!

The lesson continued as teacher's choice... I didn't really have any requests this week... so we worked on Bolero. What I affectionately call the Waltz of Rhythm dances... It totally is!! It's slower than Rumba, and has a LOT of knee work for rise and fall, it also has a lot of corresponding big arm movements that just makes it incredibly graceful. So you know I feel like a bull in a china shop when I'm doing it. I have a lot of trouble staying lowered on my knees... I've spent a good portion of my life doing things in such a way that keeps my knees from hurting because they've been bad most of my life. I'm happy to say that my knees are stronger then they have ever been, but the habits of protecting them, like popping up right after I've lowered myself to prevent the pain I anticipate really ruins what could be my Bolero. Also, because I am so new at this dance, I'm still working out what my feet are supposed to be doing so I don't use my arms...at all...
Another instructor saw us and said "Ok, Kat your arms are supposed to do this." which he followed by doing a big sweeping motion above his head. I just looked at him with a yeah right face.
RT responded for me and said "We're just working on the feet right now, and we work our way up."
The other teacher found that very amusing, I guess most people learn more elements at one time... me... I have to work on one, then add another, then blend them together. I never could do anything the conventional way.

RT even asked me if my knees were hurting, because he kept having to remind me to stay lowered, I told him they didn't hurt, but I was anticipating that they were going to, so I kept popping up. After a few more cycles reminding me I think it got a little better, but we did decide to rest Bolero for the remainder of the lesson. Back at the music machine, RT asked me the dreaded question... the one I fear during every lesson...

"Ok, how about Samba?"

Oh no! I think... every time he asks me about Samba I do a quick mental check of how many times I've turned him down in the past, (it's not nice to turn anyone down for a dance, it's terrible manners) and I do a really fast "systems check" mentally to see if my legs are up for it. After determining that I've turned him down too many times in a row, reminding myself that I really do want to learn this dance, and my legs reporting back that they are up for the challenge, I say "Sure, I feel like making a fool of myself today... let's do Samba." (I don't know why I said that exactly... anytime I get put in an even slightly uncomfortable position I have an open-mouth-insert-foot moment.)

Away on the dance floor we go and RT makes a very uncharacteristic statement "Ok, we're just going to work on the steps." Which I never believe, he's technical by nature so he naturally just has corrections for me even if we're just working on where my feet will be placed, not how they will be placed. It actually didn't go so badly... I don't think... I seemed to be getting parts of it really well... other parts, like the Samba walks were not going well at all. I also think I was hanging on him too much, I felt like I was hanging on him too much, which likely means I was... and I HATE doing that to any lead. He didn't say anything though, so I tried to correct myself where I could, and hung on for dear life where I couldn't. We worked on Samba for a while... and my legs held on like real troupers... I was very pleased with them. It seems my legs are getting exponentially stronger lately, my knees are still the weakest element within my legs, but they are catching up! Towards the end my calves were a little weary, but that's to be expected.

There also were a lot of people in the waiting area watching the floor, I think they may have been watching my failed attempts at the Samba walks... I think that because RT changes ever so slightly when someone is watching. I made an effort to not pay attention to onlookers because I change drastically if I know I'm being watched, and I didn't want to ruin whatever momentum I had going. We ended our Samba round with a brief review of how I can practice at home and really nail the finer points of the counts.

Then, I think because there were on lookers... I don't know for sure...just a guess... we went back to Salsa, which is now officially my strongest dance. I asked about a particular step I had learned from an instructor outside this studio and turns out RT knew it... so we worked on that, and just some fun Salsa stuff too. More Cumbia step, some turns, he probably threw a Coca-Cola in there as well, that's one I've almost got. What I like most about Salsa is that I'm at the point where I can follow and I'm not really thinking about the step...I'm just following the lead. Now, because I dance the VAST majority of the time with RT it's very easy for me to read what he's leading... which is just plain fun. I can even recover from a surprise lead faster than with a guy I'm less familiar with. We ended on a very high dance note and parted ways with my promising to work on my Samba.

Last Week's Lesson.. A Little Showing Off

Sorry for the delay gang, unfortunately life has been busy with non-dance related events. Which keeps me from updating you all as much as I'd like….I hope this post finds you all well… Lets get straight to business.

Last week's lesson was a blast! I had a guest come in and my lesson was right after hers, she really enjoyed dancing with TNG, and wanted to stay and see me dance… RT and I were only too happy to oblige! We started with a Cha Cha…one heck of a fast one too, then we slid right into a West Coast Swing, and then East Coast, back to West Coast, and another Cha Cha! Then we checked in with my guest… by this time my face must have been beat red as RT and I have not whipped around the floor that much in a LONG time! Then RT mentioned Salsa, so we placed ourselves where my guest had a prime view and I said "Ok, if we go out dancing, this is the kind of thing you'll see."

Off we went, it was so funny, I was trying much harder to actually dance like I do when I'm out socially, as opposed to making comments and laughing my way through it as my lessons normally go… every time I looked at RT when I was supposed to, per instructions he's always given me, he was either clearly thinking about what he wanted to lead me into next, or checking to make sure my guest was watching. It was the first time in a long time that I actually felt like we were dancing. That's a feeling a girl can get addicted to! At the end of that Salsa I was really tired…and I think only 15 minutes had passed, but my workouts at home are much lower impact than actually dancing… so RT asked me what I wanted to do next and I told him we should slow it down, I'd even let him pick something smooth!

Teacher's choice for smooth was Fox Trot… which after doing all that Rhythm made me feel like a fish out of water, but we managed to get something that resembled a Fox Trot out. Then I think we did another Cha Cha… and a East Coast that RT changed to West Coast half way through… some songs work out that way… and we slowed down for a Bolero, which I am VERY new at, but if I can muster the patience, would like to learn more of... Then I noticed my guest leaving, so we stopped real quick again so I could thank her for coming and say goodnight. Then it was off to some technique work for the last few minutes.

Technique lately has been all about pivot turns… specifically the Coca-Cola turn. Apparently I wasn't doing it at all… there was a session a bit ago where I spent the entire lesson trying to pivot to my left for a Coca-Cola and every one would end with my saying "Nope, that's not it." – "That's a little better." – "That wasn't it at all, lets do it again." And RT would fill in any gaps with "That was better, really." – "Come on Kat." - "Uh, no you should try that again."- "Yes! That was it!."

Well, we worked on it again... and I had tried to practice a little... but after hitting my head on my refrigerator because I lost control on a spin I've been practicing all of that a lot less aggressively lately. I am pleased that not only did the Coca-Cola feel a lot more solid, but I wasn't popping up either! (I have the habit of popping up to the balls of my feet when I pivot or spin, instead of allowing my knees to absorb the weight shift... I just pop up. Something I've been trying to break)

So it was 35 minutes of dancing and 5 minutes of technique, but actually that 5 minutes was probably the most improvement I've been able to display in one lesson in a long time!

Why Ballroom/Latin is PERFECT for Everyone!

Hi all! Recent discussions in my personal life have brought me to this post. Most of the people in my life have no issue staying in shape, and have had no real issue with working out or maintaining the motivation to stay healthy. I, am not one of these people.

Working out in the conventional sense of keeping my heart rate up to X number of beats per minute for a minimum of 30 minutes is less than thrilling to me. I find it boring, repetitive, sometimes painful, and the LAST thing I really want to do at any given point during the day. So, how is it you may ask that I've managed to do everything I've done over the last 20 months? I've said it before, I've been quoted, and I'm going to say it again... Ballroom/Latin Dancing is the inspiration behind every change I've made.

I know I'll never be one of those dancers you see on America's Ballroom Challenge, but I do so desperately want to be a good dancer! I find that in order to help myself achieve that goal, a healthy lifestyle has to be in place. So therefore I have that daily argument with myself over the icky kind of working out, and I have that internal battle every meal time over what to eat. Thankfully, it's more and more habitual than conscious battle. It wasn't easy to start, it's not going to be easy to continue, but it's a fight worth having every time.

A lot of people have questioned my choice to use dancing as my source of inspiration, and even more have questioned why I insist on singing the praise of my chosen inspiration everywhere I go. So to them, and for anyone else that may need it stated in plain English I'm going to tell you why Ballroom/Latin dance lessons are PERFECT for improving your life, that's right... not just to lose weight and get into shape, but for improving your life top to bottom, inside and out.

Ballroom dancing is ideal for those who have NEVER worked out a day in their lives because these people need to start slowly... Those first lessons when you begin your Rumba, and your Waltz move very slowly, and allow for the beginner to catch their breath and absorb the information. Private lessons are the best because each lesson moves at the student's pace, as the student progresses, the lessons progress and therefore get quicker and move at a faster rate. Simply by moving one is technically "working out," ah...but you're also dancing!

To me, working out is a very private thing... I don't belong to a health club, I don't generally go outside to work out. Many people are this way... dancing is the solution to this because when you go into the studio to dance...you do just that, you DANCE. You learn from your instructors, you get into the music, and you're NOT working out. It's even less of a "work out" in that icky "working out" way because you don't have to wear the oh-so-attractive gym clothes to do it. Simply wear clothes you can move in, and feel confident in... plus since when have dance shoes ever looked like shoes you'd wear to your local gym! In this respect, the most important thing is that no one has to know that you're dancing as part of your work out. It doesn't even have to be a discussion you and your instructors have. You're there to learn how to lead or follow and how to develop your relationship with your partner, the floor, and the music, anything else that ends up happening is icing on the cake.

Lets not forget that it's SOCIAL... oh my goodness if I could tell you about all the wonderful people I've met and had the opportunity to spend time with since I started dancing! People from ALL walks of life take Ballroom/Latin dance lessons. They have become my friends, my support, and my audience. Everything they've done for me I do in return, I am their friend, their support, and their fan. It's such a wonderful community! It's so cool when someone you don't really know asks you to dance, and you can lead them, or follow their lead! It's two people coming together and essentially working as a team for the duration of that dance. Thats one of the MOST social and confidence building things I've ever been a part of. In a world of e-mails, text messages, mp3 players and a host of other advancements that make us islands unto ourselves... Ballroom/Latin dancing brings us together and helps us realize we still need to be face to face connected with the world.

Oh, and the propriety of it all... this has to be the ONE thing that absolutely got me hooked before anything else! In the Ballroom world, the women get to be the ladies, and the men are the gentlemen. I have never felt so pretty or lady like as I did that first time I actually danced with RT. In my normal life I'm a very strong person, strong willed and strong body... generally, and I know it's odd to say, people don't view me as a feminine person. I'm rather genderless in most of my activities... I do things and have skills that most other women don't do, I have that because I have an insatiable need to know pretty much all there is to know about pretty much everything. I never thought of anything as "girls do this" and "boys do that"....I never realized I was missing that traditional role of being a lady...I still get to be everything that is me on the dance floor, only instead of being that strong person... I get to be that strong woman. (and sometimes even graceful!) I can only imagine it must be the same for the men... having the opportunity to take up that role and lead their ladies around the floor, to develop that confidence that they can decide the step, and develop floor craft to protect their follows, it's all very manly really.

My favorite thing to this day is the rule that all ladies must be escorted by their dance partners during a lesson. I loved that the first day when I was introduced to the concept, and love it still when RT makes sure he's with me no matter where we go on the floor.

So, you see... Ballroom/Latin dancing is ideal for improving your health, your confidence, your social graces and it can probably help things you didn't even know you had issues with! I know it did and continues to do all that for me!

I think that pretty much settles it... you don't have a reason not to dance... get out on that floor already!

Practice Party Friday March 07th!!!

Hi All! I know.... I know... not much notice... but if all of you that talk to me about starting dancing would get your butt into the studio already you'd be telling ME that there is a Practice Party on Friday...

Theme: Margaritaville! - do I see some Jimmy Buffet in my near future???

Time: 8-9:30pm CST

Cost for brand new students: $25...and that includes an introductory dance lesson too!

I haven't been to a practice party at my home studio in what feels like ages... so I can't wait to see you all there!

DIRECTIONS
Phone: 847-634-1100 for more questions.

I'll save a spot on my dance card for you!
no, we don't use actual dance cards... silly!

Lesson: Smooth Beginning to a Near Wipe Out, and Spinning In Between!

Greetings all! I had a second lesson last week that I just haven't had the chance to post about before now... This is a GOOD one too!

When we started this lesson there wasn't really a warm up, RT and I just took up frame. I could tell whatever we were going to do was smooth, so I thought Great! I'm going to get to maintain my smooth skills! Well, yes... we started dancing and I was just concentrating on following. My internal monologue for the first few measures went something like this:

We can't be, are we? Yes, oh...wait...maybe not...oh damn, yep he's making me Waltz!

Yes ladies and gentleman, RT wanted to Waltz. I can't even tell you the last time I actually worked on a Waltz as part of my lesson. Way back at the start of this adventure I had it as one of my majors, even had a coaching with Tony Dovolani on it more than a year ago. Sometime over the Summer I became so frustrated with my lack of progress in this dance that I insisted it be removed from my list of primary dances. I have NEVER felt completely solid or balanced when working on Waltz. I feel like a complete fish out of water. I thought it would only be for a moment that we would do this, maybe RT just wanted to see if I remembered it at all.... Well, we worked on a pretty basic Waltz for a bit, and I came out and asked point blank "Why are we working on Waltz?"
"Because you like it." RT responded.
"Oh, yes so much!" Was my reply, soaking in sarcasm.
He said with all seriousness,"Look, I'm hoping to change your mind."
I'm sure I came back at him with some biting remark, I don't recall what it was, but that didn't stop him! Come to think of it, I don't think a freight train, mack truck, or pack of wild horses can stop RT when he has his mind set on something. Lucky me, on this night Waltz was the something. We focused on fine tuning the rise and fall, and on that silly outside turn I ALWAYS have issues with. I do have to say that while it doesn't feel natural in the least, I think I may actually remember how to finish it now. Blissfully the Waltz portion of the evening was over, although I am glad we worked on some aspect of smooth, Waltz is not my cup of tea.

Next up RT suggests Bolero, to which I could only say "You just made me Waltz, and now you want to do to the 'Waltz of rhythm'?" It didn't make sense to me, why move from one excruciatingly slow dance to another? Don't get me wrong, I think if I ever get the Bolero basic down I could actually like it a lot, but I was not in the mood for that! Guess what? We worked on Bolero! Not for a long time, but we did. (RT's way of reminding me who actually dictates the lesson) I pretty much kept quiet during this particular study, I'm still trying to understand Bolero so I didn't want to muck it up with protests. I guess my face told the story though, because after a song or two RT suggested Mambo.



Well, I should say he suggested Mambo, but it ended up being Salsa. This is because I always like to clarify if it's going to be On1 or On2 because if it's On2 I really have to pay attention to follow, whereas On1 is easier for me to get closer to that feeling of actually dancing. So after I asked for clarification, RT said "Ok, Salsa then." I don't remember the beginning of the dance, I do remember getting that look though... the one and only look I can't read from RT. It's the one I get after I've done something, a spin or a pivot or a cross body lead...and when I see it I never know if he makes that face because I did it right and he's surprised, or if I've completely blown it when I should know better. Anyway... that look bugs the heck out of me, but in the end I figure if he didn't correct me then I must have done something at least passable if not right. Then for whatever reason RT decided it was time for a test...

We were working out the Salsa, having a grand old time and RT raises his and my arm for a spin, I complete the spin, and we're back to the basic. He then raises his arm again and I spin, only his arm doesn't come down, that's my signal to keep going... so I did. By the time his arm came down I had lost my spotting and was a tad dizzy, so we stopped for a second. RT asks "Have you done that before?"
To which I respond "I don't know, how many was that?" (I'm really serious when I say I don't count when I dance.)
"Kat, that was four." RT states.
"Oh, ummm... Nope, never done that before." I wasn't sure I could do it again either to be honest.
"How did you know what to do?" RT inquired, seeing as he's never lead me for that many consecutive turns... I understand the question.
So I reply "I just know I'm supposed to keep going until you bring your arm down, that's all."
RT had kind of a puzzled look on his face and we picked up with Salsa again, and again he leads me into a spin...so I do... again, and again, and again, and again! This time I actually spotted so I wasn't nearly as dizzy. Gotta be honest that was a blast! "That was four again?" I ask.
"Yes, your spotting was right on. You're becoming a pretty good spinner." RT replies.
I was all cool calm and collected on the outside... inside I was leaping for joy! YEA! I used to be able to spin with spotting when I took ballet/jazz about 17 years ago, I never thought I'd be able to get it back!

Then RT says "Ok, now try to do two on your own." Meaning he wanted me to spin twice in a row without having him hold my hand above my head like before. I knew it wasn't going to work, but I tried it anyway.... boy was I right! I over rotated something terrible, lost my balance to the point where I did that oh so attractive trying to catch myself by taking some giant awkward steps thing and for only the second time in 19 months of dancing I almost completely wiped out!

We decided to stop Salsa at that point, and I simply stated "It's a lot easier when you've got my hand above my head, I think I find my center better." I then put in a request to get a Cha Cha in before time was up, and my request was honored...

During the Cha Cha RT was going to take advantage of the recent spinning discovery and lead me into a single spin from a point I had not done before. Only he lead it...and I was in no way ready to spin! Both of us thinking it was me messing up on the footwork we tried it again. Nope, not a chance I was going to be able to spin from that lead! I would topple over every time, and I told RT as much. He stopped for a second, and I could see him counting it out and walking through it in his head. He then looked up at me and with a smile and a chuckle said "Oops, my fault I was leading you into that on the wrong count."
"Well, it doesn't happen often, but I knew it wasn't me that time!" I said, and we tried it again on the correct count. That made it so much easier!

With that the lesson ended. Between my surprise Waltz, and my successful completion of FOUR consecutive spins in Salsa. This lesson definitely goes into the history books as one of the most accomplished lessons ever!

This Week's Lesson... Swing, Cha Cha, Mambo, Tango, Fox Trot, Samba (and Rumba of course!)

Whew! It's amazing what you can cover in a single lesson!

We warmed up with a hustle... always good. We then moved to a nice paced East Coast... we worked on a new step for a second... if we don't work on it more I'll never follow the lead for it right. It's a little different than most of the steps I know, which means it will take me a second to get it. (I don't even remember it well enough to really explain it to you here.)

That over, we worked on Cha Cha, which I'm pleased to say worked out really well I think. RT informed me that it was good, but I need to work on getting my arms to match the rest of my body. I guess they look disjointed. THAT I have to work on because I really like the way my Cha Cha is shaping up over all. It's really becoming a favorite right up there with East Coast. I think teaching it that one time REALLY helped me get it. In fact, it had been so long since RT and I had done a Cha Cha that I almost started as if I was leading! Got a good Cha Cha in, I expressed some exasperation over some thing or other, and RT paid me a really nice compliment. He said "You know, you're better at dancing than you think you are." To which I kind of rolled my eyes, but definitely made note of the statement. I'm awful at taking compliments! However, RT only pays compliments when they're due, so I may react poorly, but I always take note!

We moved on to Mambo, which I always call Salsa... I didn't even pay attention if we were dancing On1 or On2, I just wanted to follow, which means we were likely On1... we worked on the box step, which I think I can follow. That finished, we went to the music machine and commenced in the great debate over what we should work on next. RT suggested Bolero, but I wanted to lean in a different direction, so I said that it had been a really long time since we'd worked on any smooth. RT picks Tango... well ok then way to get me back into smooth... pick one of the dances that I've always had issues with!

We really concentrated on my basic. Now I have to tell you, my footwork in smooth is AWFUL! Always has been, likely always will be... but I digress... We worked and drilled and it was nice to be the only ones on the floor for this. By the end of it, the Tango basic now feels completely different than what I thought it was before. More to work on at home... I'm back to the little steam engine that could... saying "I think I can, I think I can" until it actually happens. It's too bad that Tango takes so much space to practice, wait until the weather gets better, then I can have my outdoor space back... I don't know how long we worked on Tango, we definitely worked longer than any of the other dances tonight. It's terrible, I'm always very defiant when we drill like this, it's more out of habit than anything. I don't really mean it... and I end up taking a lot from those portions of my lessons. Then we worked on Fox Trot a little, again the last time I did this was for that lesson I taught, so my feet got confused for a second. I have to make sure we work on a touch of at LEAST Fox Trot in every lesson. I have to keep that up at least so I can follow it.

Then it was Samba, at RT's suggestion, of course. Once again, I REALLY need to work on this. Happily I think I remember the basic enough to practice at home now. So, yea! I'll get to use some of the Samba beats I have in my music collection.

Rumba time! I'm feeling pretty good about my Rumba, thank you very much! So we pretty much established that I can actually use my Cuban motion for good instead of evil. Now it's on to the shoulder blades...pushing the corresponding shoulder blade down with the appropriate hip etc... that has to be worked into the rest of it... This I think I may get before too long.

You know... after the Salsa Congress, teaching that one lesson, and my last few lessons with RT, I think I may actually be getting the hang of this whole dancing thing. Now I just have to hit my target weight and... yeah... life is going to be pretty dang good!

On Stands Now!

Hi All!

There it is! If you want to see or purchase a copy of the magazine that wrote about me this is what it looks like.

It is on stands today, and will continue to be there until 03-16/03-17!

(I'm on page 40-41!)

Let me know what you think!!!