Tuesday, June 26, 2007

British Posture

One of the tings about which I’m constantly talking to my students is the importance of correct posture. It’s the cornerstone of connection to your partner. Moving with physical integrity is difficult for most people to learn because most of us walk like the little man in the cross walk signal, bobbing as we go. In England I was struck by the crossing signs. Their little man walks upright with correct posture. Only the sign for elderly crossing shows people bent over their canes. Stereotypes die hard.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Dancing in England


I just returned form England where I had the pleasure of an English Country Garden Tour. In order to make the best use of my frequent flyer miles, I had to arrive 2 days early and stay an extra day. Fortunately for me, an old dance partner with whom I used to perform has since then gotten married, had two children, and bought a house. He was happy to arrange for a baby sitter for a night so we could go dancing. Having a family has made dancing a low priority for Peter and Lara, so they thought I'd know more people there than they would. That was almost true. I knew three. It was a balboa dance, one of my favorites. Bal is mostly danced in the Lindy community. It's a fast dance with complex footwork and I don't get to do it much at home. When a bal song comes on, it's hard to find a partner in time as we don't carry signs identifying which dances we do. Someone once had the idea to print tee shirts with a check list, but everyone refused to wear them. I loved the London Bal dance where everyone knew the dance and mostly danced it fairly well. A week later I got to attend the same dance again, finding my way there on the fabulous London underground before flying home the following morning. Everyone was suitable astonished to learn that I was in England for a reason having nothing to do with dance. It wouldn't have done to have come all this way and not danced at all however.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

I'm back!

I returned from my vacation to learn that my internet connection was not working and it took another two weeks to get it up and running, so I've been away from my blog for a while. Just a note to let you know I'm back and will be continuing my dancer comments soon.