I took a private lesson with my first teacher today.
I plan to do it more regularly from now on.
I believe he is the one who teaches me the best how to follow, and how to connect with my partner.
I will take lessons from other instructors occasionally, so they can teach me other things, or rather, same things under a different angle.
The refrain of the lesson was a familiar one: "slow down".
First I have to move my torso as a reaction to the lead. Then goes the foot, where the leader is sending it. And then, shift my weight, as much as he wants me to. A lot of delay. Keep my weight on a standing foot longer. Oftentimes I keep shifting my weight too soon.
I have to watch for those repetitive movement. Keep connection through them. When they cease, the point of connection often shifts. Also, the point of connection shifts throughout the movement, and as the leader makes transitions from steps to steps. I have to find it, and keep my weight forward and in the middle of that point.
The position of my hips plays a role.
Also, turn the foot more outward.
On forward steps, keep the foot behind, and let the leader pull it "from the hip".
Use more contra-body motion.
In fact, the teacher didn't say explicitly, but I figured out, I have to move my torso more, turning and twisting it here and there. And also, release the close side of the embrace when the connection point shifts more toward the open side of the embrace. When the leader lets me go, I got to do the same.
We will also work on my musicality in the future. I need to figure out how to follow the lead, and move to music at the same time. So far the teacher said that when I follow the lead comfortably, I will be able to add my own, since I am listening to the music as well.
2010 update. Some questions I was asking then seem so strange to me now. For example, "follow the lead, and move to music at the same time". What did I mean? Why in the world was that a problem?? :)
I guess the two years (precisely 2, wow) that have passed since did not go to waste after all.
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