Standard Lesson with Ikaika 7/18/2011

I had three lessons with Ikaika this two weeks in California. We looked at Waltz and Foxtrot.

Waltz.
1. We looked at a small amalgamation:

Foxtrot
1. The frontal plane is non negotiable: Keep both side toward partner, especially in the rotational steps, since there is always a tendency to peel off one side.

2. Feather step: when Damien told me to step side to cut off partner. He was trying to make sure that my right side doesn't peel off.

3. Feather finish:
a. feel like anchoring on the left foot at the end of the first step.
b. step straight forward on the second step, turn at the end. (there is room for style differences on this)
c. Make sure that when the left foot passed the right foot on the last step, the right foot heel is down already. There is not foot rise in Foxtrot, so all the passing steps has TH TH.
'4. On the back lowering steps (Eg, last step of feather), don't try to bend the hip excessively out of context. ( This is consistant with what Ieva was saying that I was sitting back)

Standard Lesson with Anna 7/1/2011 II

In this second lesson we mostly worked on Tango.

1. Position: In tango, the shoulders are at an an angle. instead of parallel as in the other dances. This results in a strong connection.
2. How to get into position: Girl walk up and get into the position described above. Stand on the right foot.
3. In tango, foot and leg moves before the body, in all directions. Especially need to practice this on close promenade step. Try to practice it slowly.
4. Close Promenade: Close to the guy. When closing the foot, both toes are turned in (very much). This is one of the steps that is an aquired taste. As time goes, you will start to appreciate it.
5. Fall away reverse slip pivot:, V cross, Spanish drag:
a. fall away: just step backwards for 3 steps.
b. then the slip pivot step: don't think about turn, just follow the amount of the turn lead by the guy, then the forward step also, just find the step size and space to fit in. Basically this is a passive step here.
c. V cross: start with an upperbody underturned position. (Remember that this steps follows a reverse turn)
d. V cross: steps side back with a wide base, on the right foot.
e. Anna talked to Charles a little bit about the different choice of shaping here.
6. Promenade position:
a. still need to maintain vertical. Do not exaggeratedly held head way out back there behind the foot.
b. roll around partner's hip.
7. On all the reverse turns, due to centrafrical force, the internal twist in the body is felt more exaggerated than it actually is. In other words, try to exaggerate the internal twist, (i.e. shoulder keeps a left side lead shape, but turn the leg for the turn), you will end up with the right look.

Standard Lesson with Anna 7/1/2011

1. Center is the center line from head to toe. It's a line, not a point. Project the center to partner from bot side: right side aim directly at partner's center; Left side aim diagonally toward partner's right side (indirect center), creating almost a hugging feeling.

2. Project the upper body forward and upward. The upward is created by extend arms out, turn arms upward (think of turning the inside of the elbow up toward ceiling, this pull the shoulder bides down and out) and the head is turned up at the same time. Next bend the elbow and keep the left wrist straight and keep the energy expanding outward extending inside partner's frame.

3. The frontal(&back) plane.
Chest+knee -- align with ball of foot.
Head+ hip -- align with hell.
Shaping is not moving the head back, but rather project the neckline forward. (Although in our discussion of the basics in foxtrot (feather, reverse, feather finish, three step) there isn't much a a shaping figure, it was mostly about movement).

4. Think rotation of the shoulder, movement (forward/backward) of the hip.

5. Movement: pull back with the hip. The person moving back is the engine. Three aspects of movement
a. forward & backward
b. Swing: Wing the hip upward as soon as the down finishes.
c. rotation: feather step is curved to the left (for the lady) so there is a slight curvature to let the partner pass (not completely straight).

6. Movement:
a. pull back (hip really really back)
b. upswing: (hip, especially helps with heelturn).
c. knee forward (use the standing leg to drive back)
d. chest forward (really stretch)
e. head back

7 foot readiness
a. the back(next) step is ready to be placed but not really placed yet.

8. Connect: It is not just glued together, but rather a smooth connection through rotation.

9. Practice slow.

10 reverse turn slow.