SO Im back for more...!

SO Im back again..! It seems like an age since I did any swing & I feel as though what I did learn (which seems like hardly anything at all.. has all been lost in my gappy memory..).

What am I learning (for those that don't want to scroll through my other posts..)

Lindy Hop

 (Granddaddy of Swing)

 Lindy Hop brings back the lively, entertaining, and energetic Swing of the ‘30s and ‘40s. It mixes 6-count with 8-count moves and tandem Charleston steps.

 So this class is a repeat and a blend of the other two beginners classes that I've learnt before, so instead of going over that again I'm going to talking about learning the Occupation. 

Today this was taken place in a Dance studio, at OUSA recreation centre. The main safety concerns are where the fire exists are.. otherwise in regards to learning Lindy Hop.. other safety and risks include stepping on toes (hard to avoid for some..!!) and the other main concern is to do with hands and their positioning, when to hold, release.. esp when doing particular turns.. as no one wants a dislocated or wrenched shoulder, broken fingers.. or bruises on display..! These are such things as: making sure the follow doesn't monkey claw on the lead's shoulder, no holding hands with the thumbs, being careful not to wrench hands for moves or spins, and when doing the invisible chair, ensuring that you give the right amount of tension.. otherwise one might hit the floor..
As I have been to several different lessons now, our teacher J, cautions us about the risk of particular holds as we go along, to ensure that no one during our next five lessons will be making visits to the emergency department & question their choice of pursuing this occupation pursuit.. Our Teacher J is very enthusiastic & even if I am hearing her recount a story I have heard for the third time now, her enthusiasm for learning Swing comes through in her story telling. The story is about her being so keen after first lesson that she wanted to triple step all the way home.. which would have been quite a sight to see! Also about her mum's reaction to her learning Swing, & getting it mixed with Swingers.. hehe.. quite a different occupation altogether!!!

The Other main things one needs to really learn in regards to Lindy Hop can be found here: The Fundamental Moves of Lindy Hop if you are wishing to view video clips etc otherwise the list below is the stuff that I think are the things you really need to know:

•  Basic Hand Positions in closed (men/lead, on the left, with hand on the girls back, & girl with hand flat on below leads/mans shoulder, with elbows connecting. This results in a three-point connection with the elbow connection being the most important ) & open -holding hands.
• 8 Count music & where the triple steps fits into this
• The importance of Pulse. They really stressed it this time, as the core to dancing. Pulsing is bobbing up and down to the music. Click on this blog post for more: Pulse in Lindy.
• Basic Dance etiquette (thus establishing the cultural environment). Introducing yourself and thanking each partner as you go. We currently rotate around partners, this is good as each person has their own distinct style and stops you getting used to only one. Also some leads give more direction (& pulse) which makes it easier to follow them.

One thing that we started to learn, that is different from the other classes is this..
The SHIM SHAM...