Why is it the *moment* this man steps on the ice, I immediately stand taller. Never tall enough for him, I fear, but I snap to it--happens like clockwork.
My third lesson with this new dance coach, as each of the previous two have been, was full of detail unlike anything I have experienced.
Each lesson begins with dance stroking, followed by progressive and progressive run work. Many corrections each time, though these moves are improving.
After that, we focused entirely, and only, on what I call the "middle portion" of the Fiesta Tango. This is after the first two steps, and just prior to the mohawk. I absolutely love the technical detail this instructor gives. As well as the direct manner in which he assesses one's current skill level. He does not mince any words.
I understood this pattern, and was able to skate it reasonably well, after he stood there with his arms crossed and said "you will go around me on the progressive" --- and I did. And it set me up perfectly for the cross behind almost at center ice, which in turn set me up for the change edge swingroll. He also got me to get my feet touching on the cross behind, which was scary but fun. I had a very open stroke there......so this was quite a switch. Loved every moment. I could have screamed, just feeling so much better to actually understand what I'm working for with this dance!
The funniest part of the lesson was when he first asked me to show him what I knew of the Fiesta Tango, beginning with four introductory strokes, and he called out "STOP!". He asked me "What were those steps?! Where was the dance stroking we just worked on, and that you did very well?! Again, WITH stroking...." And, yes, I did it this time. He said it looked like a completely different dance, and it started with the stroking. I even got a "good job" from him, something I hadn't heard yet (not that I expected to).
Now, on to the dreaded Mohawk at the beginning of the Fiesta Tango end pattern. That will be Wednesday after next......
Janet wrote to rec.sport.skating.ice.recreational on Fri, 18 Mar 2005:
Now, on to the dreaded Mohawk at the beginning of the Fiesta Tango end>pattern. That will be Wednesday after next......>
It is far from the worst step of the dance, I hate to tell you - the step to the RFI edge just before the restart is that. I can NOT do it without wide-stepping and lurching forward, sticking my bum out, not matter who I'm dancing with, or even when I'm doing it solo. The mohawk, by comparison, is a breeze (which admittedly I didn't think four-five years ago, when I started working on that dance!). -- "Mrs Redboots" mailto:annabel@amsmyth.demon.co.uk http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 4 March 2005 with a new photo
Actually that step-forward is easier for me than the neat and tight little mohawk, which I seem thus far completely incapable of executing. Of course, the only reason the step forward seems easier is that I am not on as much of a curve, with the proper lean, as I should be yet.........
