Keeping Up. Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

It's been a while since I updated this blog. I have been practicing a lot, dancing at milongas a little bit, enjoying my newly acquired skills. All in all, I think I learned to maintain a better balance, better connection to the partner, and use the floor more. I should keep working on all that, plus the foot placement, and releasing the free leg in figures as boleos, ganchos, volcadas, and such. I think I got to schedule a private lesson soon to confirm my being on the right track in my learning process, and get more insights as well as a new push in the right direction.

For self practice, that workshop on turns I attended gave me great exercises. First of all-- walk forward and backward, paying attention to the posture, making parallel tracks, and leg extension. Then modify the walk into the backward and forward ochos, concentrating on pushing off the ground and twisting the body. And, finally, take it to the overturned ochos, remembering to twist even more. From where, I can foresee the follower's sacadas coming up nicely. How fun.

On Sunday, I had a private lesson with my second partner. Unfortunately, it was shorter than usual, but the teacher gave several valuable corrections. In no particular order: a side step in molinetes has to be longer, but not away from the partner. Swing the free leg more doing an engancho. Pay attention to the music. In general, don't try to place the free foot, just follow the lead with your chest, and release the hip. The foot will place itself where it belongs, as a result.

For milongas, I constantly have to remind myself about the rules. Over the weekend, I repeatedly got upset over a leader or two still not asking me to a dance. Since I believe my skills have been growing, I guess I wish to be rewarded for my hard work. That results in setting up expectations. But it is unreasonable to expect anything. Instead, I should concentrate on the positive, be nice to people, and just keep working and learning.

I will try to make it to the last part of the workshop on turns this week. As for milongas, it will probably be one or two small local things. Networking is useful, but with moderation.

And oh, I've got to hit the gym the sooner the better. The holidays approach, and I don't want to carry spare weight for starters.