Life is a Dance

Since last post: Two practices with Samantha, each two hours. Two practices with Jacqueline, total of five hours. We are learning Swing, which is the most labor intensive of all the dances so far.  Tons of frenetic footwork and I'd say the most difficult of the dances we've done so far. Our Swing Routine: Basic (in closed hold) Lady's Underarm Turn Left Lady's Underarm Turn Right Basic (single hand connection) American Spin Basic (open two hand hold) Sweetheart Basic (single hand connection) Right Side Pass (to closed hold) repeat from top W 217.6

Sunday practice, the studio was closed so we just called it off.  We're under orders to take it easy this week anyway. W 216.5

I worked with Samantha on swing basics for an hour, then Jacqueline arrived and we practiced various items for two hours.  We got some basic swing moves down. Most of that time we had the room to ourselves and we had several breakthroughs.  My rumba walks are improving and my foot movements are looking more like latin prowling rather than a leaden golem clomping around. Jacqueline has been practicing her rumba walks for many weeks now and her movements are very elegant and curved. We do our original routines without thinking too much about it-- muscle memory.  Doing them under the pressure of public performance makes them cement harder in the mind. The last hour was... harmonious.  A timeless space.  Movement as art.  Beginner's mind. W 218.2

We took it easy with only two lessons this week, each an hour long (Tuesday and Thursday).  Getting started on Swing and dropping waltz.  It's that stage where I just don't get it. Have you ever pointed at something for a dog?  And the dog just looks at your finger because he can't make the connection?  That's how I feel when Samantha is teaching me something new.  I just can't wrap my head around it.  That's why Samantha is such a great teacher.  She works around things with exercises for the intractably lame individual (such as myself).  For a while she had her fore-arms on my shoulders and just sort of scooted me around like a chair. W 218.4

Not even slightly nervous. My predominant feeling is one of accomplishment.  I set out to learn dance as my self-improvement goal this year and I'm nailing it.  In eight weeks I went from knowing nothing to participating in a local tournament, losing fifteen pounds and adding tone and muscle up top.  I explored a new world. And not done yet.  It's on to Vegas in six weeks. Samantha (instructor, left) and Jacqueline (partner, right) Jacqueline and I arrived together at 9am.  My nine-year-old daughter Willow came along.  The place was crowded with a line almost out the door.  There were a lot of last minute entries, which is great news for the studio, but put everything an hour behind schedule.  All told perhaps eighty souls in the building, all done up in outfits and practicing here and there. Jacqueline had her make-up already done and I could see the stress lines of concern behind her eyes.  It is important to her to do well, a...

I went and got the elements for my waltz outfit-- black pants (which I got a little tighter so it would show off my sweet sweet man-ass), black shirt (could also be white), and a black vest.  I was helped by an old tailor names Roberto who whisked me around the shop to find just the right items. I had to go back for suspenders. One last two hour practice: going over entrance and exit from the dance floor, arm movements and so forth.  The owner of the studio, an energetic man with a thick accent (Martin) was setting up all the decorations.  Martin is a fine host and is a powerhouse of accomplishment behind the scenes.  Jacqueline is a bundle of nerves, but smiling with excitement.  Our routines are becoming second nature, but still could use a lot of polishing.  I routinely forget elements, but we are doing last minute practice on just powering through.