Matching the Resistance in Dance Frame

Tonight was a a true test in my ability to follow. The most difficult
skill I have finally been able to master. You see, one of my favorite
dancers has a elbow injury to his left arm. And as a true dancer, I
know that you will understand, you can only stay away from dancing
for so long. 

This is where my ability to follow, with him just
leading with his right hand comes in to play. If done correctly, a
leader is able to lead a follower around the dance floor with just
that connection. To my amazement, I passed the test!

To create that "connection" with your partner in the closed ballroom
position, it is important for the lower part of the follower's left
shoulder blade to "match the resistance" into the leader's right
hand. The follower can accomplish this by pulling her left shoulder
back and down, pressing into the leader's hand. If the follower
does not match the resistance, the leader finds it much more
difficult to lead. Without any connection with the shoulder blade,
dancing would be nearly impossible.

"Matching the resistance", is also known as The Law of Opposition.
It tells us that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. A
push meets with a push. A pull meets with a pull. In dance, the
resistance is NOT actually pushing or pulling. It is a matching
"reaction" to the "action" of the lead. The natural tendency to
"yield" to a "lead" rather than to match the natural resistance is
a real problem for many dancers.

Once you have master this connection, you will be able to dance
beautifully with anyone that has mastered the art of leading.

Please share your experiences with our other members in our blog
discussion area:
www.learntoballroomdanceonline.com

Happy Dancing,

Michele@learntoballroomdanceonline.com

Dancing, a contact sport?

Well, I always say that dance is a contact sport, and I was
speaking from my own experiences. You see, I live in Boise, Idaho.

While we do have "organized" dance associations that are great,
much of our dancing is in country honky tonks.

Picture this, me in ballroom dance shoes, on the floor with
dancing cowboy boots. Yes, scary, and I have lost a toenail or
two, dancing the Country Two Step, and had a few bruises along the
way, but I sure felt a bit better after watching Dancing with the
Stars tonight.

You see, even Gold Medalist, Misty Trainer, was injured while
dancing. Meaning I am not the only one getting beaten up on the
dance floor. It was a horrible injury and I felt so bad for her.
They were also showing injuries sustained by the pros. But once
again you hear someone say the worst part of the injury was that
she had to stop dancing.

So remember, while dancing is a contact sport, not all of the
contact is painful!

Happy Dancing,

Michele@learntoballroomdanceonline.com