If I'm teaching a beginning couple, they make faster progress if the gentleman learns the basic "hold" in a private lesson before the couple begins working together. I can feel when he is relaxing his arms and when that happens, the lady can get stepped on.
The gentleman, as the leader, is responsible for maintaining the correct connection between him and his partner. His leads must be immediately recognized by the lady. If the proper Hold is not held throughout the dance, the couple has no way of maintaining their distance from one another, they step on each other, get discouraged and probably never try dancing again.
Beginners have enough to work on with balance, sway, posture, footwork and timing, so the hold needs to become the first part of their muscle memory.
The video below will explain the basic hold for American and International category.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is so much to think about dancing, no wonder I haven't mastered it...to much brainwork!
ReplyDeletePoke the rock
DeleteIt's the man who has to do the thinking. The lady just goes along for the ride.
I learned about the hold while watching the movie Dirty Dancing. There's a type of dancing that I wish I could do!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favourite movies, just for the dance scenes.
River
DeleteI still love to watch that movie. Did you know Patrick Swayze's mother was a dance teacher?
Yes, I did. I read Patrick's bio somewhere sometime.
DeleteThe American way allows more leeway in movement! I see now!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Old Kitty
DeleteBecause in American dance, the couples can break, it may look more difficult, the International is more challenging because of technique.
Have to hold and lead, sounds like a marriage.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Deletenyuk, nyuk, nyuk
I am with Poke The Rock. No wonder I don't dance, I have a hard time walking down the street, let alone thinking about what I have to do next.
ReplyDeleteHave a GREAT day Manzi. Love to you!
Terry
DeleteSince I've been using the mag. oil I sleep later, not walking around like a zombie, either.
As I said to Poke, it's the gentleman who has to do the thinking. :)
Love to you
Wow! I loved this post. I could see how couples dance through life - different levels of intensity, speed and closeness - a trip can bring people unexpectedly closer.
ReplyDeleteElaine
DeleteThank you for stopping and the comment.
Just trip the light fantastic throughout life. Hahaha
This is sooo interesting and fun! Agree with River...Dirty Dancing!!! love that movie.
ReplyDeleteturquoisemoon
DeleteMe too. I wonder how Swayze's mother ever got him to practice ballroom when he started so young.
This is great! I really like your post, your writing, your topic . . I like knowing American Style has more freedom (isn't that just like us?) Of course, this is way different that the way we danced as teenagers . . (I'm silvery) - and, i suspect - IF I had taken lessons with anyone i know today - we would have gotten into a slap fight - and made you - laugh.
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z!!!
-g-
Maggid
DeleteWe did a lot of dancing as teenagers and the only thing we lacked was style. All the boys danced too. We called the swing type dances jitterbug back then but we mostly danced the smooth dances. Loved those guys, they were always ready to dance.
Thanks for stopping. It's my pleasure to meet you.
Well I think I could get the holding part down, as long as I didn't have to move.
ReplyDeleteYaaaay Pat
DeleteI think you've got it!!!!!!
LOL
Although I can't dance for nuts, I like to see people dancing. Loved your blogpost!!
ReplyDeleteKaren
ReplyDeleteI'm with you
You can't be so bold
If you ain't got that hold.
Sunday
ReplyDeleteDance for nuts..... I like that expression.
Thanks for stopping by
Spin around and side by side. The Husband and I must practice that. We are spinning crazies. :-)
ReplyDeleteSu-sieeeI
DeleteI remember, you like to spin in the kitchen...LOL
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We have a community college close-by. Next semester, I am dragging hubby to an evening class, no question.
ReplyDeleteIt also has a newly built Planetarium, so we'll stop by there as well.
Susan
DeleteThat sounds interesting. Back to school. What will you and hubby be taking, astronomy?
I never knew that arms were so important to avoid being stepped on. I seriously thought it was the feet (and I'm not being a wiseguy. Astonishing, but true).
ReplyDeleteAl
DeleteThe gal is walking backwards and you want to begin dancing. If you stick your foot forward ...... she can't see it and you will kick or step on her. But, if you both have very strong and wide open arms with a lot of energy, You lean slightly forward with your whole torso and the strong connection of the arms will be felt by her and she also moves back. You literally push (gently, of course) her back and out of your way. Then you take another step forward, etc. Dancing.... Yay
I guess the man feels a bit of pressure, especially at first! I tried to get my husband to take a ballroom dance class a few years ago, I thought it would be good exercise...but I have to be honest, I think we'd do better at square dancing! lol
ReplyDeleteThe Brown Recluse
DeleteI'll also be honest..... No one can learn to dance in a 6 week group course at the Y. It's a start but the teacher usually does not have time to give any individual instruction or teach this important hold. Those beginner courses prob. scare away more wanna-be-dancers. The best thing is to take a few privates from a good teacher, get the basics and then decide if you want to continue. If you begin dancing with the wrong hold, wrong foot pattern, wrong body position, it takes forever to drop the bad habits and learn the right way.
Well, now I'll be able to recognize American/International dancing! It seems like such a minor thing, and yet it is everything.
ReplyDeleteBish, you will rarely ever see any social dancers doing International in the US
DeleteThat was extremely informative. I had no idea that was what separated the two styles from one another. International is far more restrictive. I can see why points would be deducted if you broke hold doing an International Dance!!!
ReplyDeleteRobin
DeleteYou also dance a lot closer and when I competed the 2 bodies had to be touching slightly all the time. Try that and take those long gliding steps. The 2 partners have to be so much in sync. We used to practice closing our eyes and just breathing together so we could feel each others breath. It's not sexy like so many people think. It's just plain hard work. And in the Latin, when it looks so sexy, all an act. They are prob. screaming at each other just before they go on, do a sexy dance, go off and continue screaming at each other. Not always but often. LOL
Loooove dance! I could have danced all life, but alas, my husband never liked to dance. End of dance.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
DeleteGet a dance partner. I never once danced with my husband. Believe me, it works better than way.
Do you mean there is a difference between "Hold" and "Bear hug"?
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Bear
ReplyDeleteNope... same same. Bear hugs mean hold. You are so smart, bear, now why didn't I think of that?
I so suck at dance...my daughter loves to...she goes out waltzing and line dancing and whatever is offered at the local 20-something hangouts....not sure she's my kid!
ReplyDeleteM
DeleteOften we just need a little instruction as it helps in any sport. I was really sucky in golf until I took some lessons and after a year of practice I took home some little trophies.
Congrats to your daughter on her love of dancing.
Thank you for visiting.
I can't dance to save my life but neither can my husband so we even out. lol
ReplyDeleteDark Thoughts Blog
Mary
DeleteThere's life besides dancing. I used to like to go out and do a different dance once in a while. (I know, mine is still dancing, though) like perhaps going to a polka fest, or a salsa dance.