Level 2 July - August 2017

For reading:

How to practice without a partner - for leaders
How to practice without a partner - for followers

Week 4: starting August 7

We continued to refine the Medialuna, and then improvise it's entry from Backward Ochos: whenever the follower is pivoting on the leader's left side he can lead the entry to the Medialuna.

To make this work the leader needs to know the follower's moves - which are:

Step 1: Right leg - Back circular step (cross step) to leader's right

Step 2: Left leg - Side step (aka Open step) to leader's right

Step 3: Right leg - Forward circular step (cross step) to leader's right

Step 4: Left leg - Forward circular step (cross step) to leader's left.

Followers: Instead of memorising the steps for this move (as that doesn't help you to become a better follower) focus on following the leader's torso / frame lead and adhering to the circular ('Giro') code of walking - which is every second step is a Side (Open) step and every alternate step is a forward or back step. If you enter the side step with a forward step you'll exit the side step with a back step and vice versa.

Forward and back steps in satellite moves like Giros and Medialunas are always cross steps (not to be confused with the figure of the Parallel Cross). A cross step is defined as a step whereby you can't open your legs without turning your back to your partner.

Week 3: starting July 31

We reviewed moves from Week 2 and introduced the concept of circular walking. New move introduced was the Medialuna from Back Ocho (with optional Parada):

Week 2: starting July 24

We added the Forward Ocho to the Parallel Cross - they fit together well ('poetry of moves')

Week 1: starting July 17

We continued refining the Sandwich with third Parada (from Level 1 term).

We introduced the Parallel Cross:

Leader's steps for the Parallel Cross:

Step 1 Left Leg

Direction: Side step to the left.
Dynamic: normal.
Torso: angled to your right for 'blocking step' - called 'disassociation because upper and lower body are angled differently.
Intention: that your follower slightly under-steps you.

Step 2 Right Leg

Direction: Forward step (outside of the follower but not far from her).
Dynamic: less dynamic - half the size of a normal step.
Torso: maintain same angle as at end of Step 1 - disassociation continued.
Intention: don't cross follower's centre line.

Step 3 Left Leg

Direction: Forward step (outside of follower but not far from her).
Dynamic: more dynamic - strong push off.
Torso: maintain same angle as at end of Step 1 - disassociation continued.
Intention: that follower steps dynamically and has room in front of her to cross.

Step 4 Right Leg

Direction: Collect to meet left leg or slightly to the right (if necessary to be in front of follower if she has stepped too much to your right - this is why I call this step the 'adjustment step').
Torso: As you collect your right leg to the left your torso straightens up - ending with no disassociation.
Intention: Follower crosses in the space between you and her as you change weight to the right leg. Your hips, torso and feet face each other. At the end of this step your weight is on your right leg and her weight is on the same side of the body as yours.

I have deliberately not included the follower's steps as followers need to avoid memorisation to become good followers! To become a good leader a leader needs to know both his steps and that of the follower.

Here's a video of the improvised display Ian and I did at the end of class: