Connection rediscovered. October 12, 2008.

I had a very important lesson with my teacher today. I think he found the solution to my posture problem as well as my missing the leads.
He had already started me awhile ago on being more centered. In dancing with him it would translate in my leaning more to the open side of the embrace, getting information from that side. In all movements, I have to counter balance by providing resistance to the direction opposite to the movement. Sometimes it is tricky, as the direction changes, and I have to switch quickly.
Today the teacher made me move to his lead, trying to match exactly the movement of my free leg with the power provided by his leg pushing off the floor. At the same time, I had to glide the moving foot on the surface of the floor as long as possible. I tend to cut my steps short, which made landings abrupt.
Already, as I tried in the lesson, the connection felt so much stronger. I was more balanced, and both my leader and I felt more in control. It felt like I had plenty of time, even though we were moving much faster. The pivots and changes of directions were just happening without me hesitating or thinking one bit.
In "carousseles" and such I still, for one, have to follow with both sides, and secondly, match my free foot with the pushing power of the leader's movement. I discovered, even when my free foot was embellishing, I was pretty capable of doing that.
So, in practice to come, I will be concentrating on those three concepts.
I am happy, and looking forward to further dancing and practicing. Just when I had thought for the last few weeks that I was plateauing !
I am very excited.

Update: Interestingly, I find these old notes from the lessons very useful for me, both as a student, and as someone helping others to improve their dancing.