compression

In an earlier drill, we worked on finishing movement into compression. You learned to find the natural release point for compression, rather than bouncing out of compression because “that’s what the pattern does.” Now it’s time to put that technique into more complicated movements. The Drill: With a partner, practice doing a left side tuck … Read more

Have you watched how great dancers can change direction with incredible speed? Most beginners try to replicate that effect by throwing themselves through the move, but they end up off balance. Actually, the key to direction changes is to finish the previous movement. This drill will help you finish movement by settling into the connection … Read more

Have you ever danced a push break that truly felt connected? In a great push break, the movement of the follower into and away from the leader feels like an actual cause-and-effect action instead of two people holding hands and stepping. This drill will help develop that feeling by playing with the connection during the … Read more

We’ve all had that one dance: the one that felt so connected that it was just magical. But, it’s not magic—it’s the skill of connection. How can you develop that skill so you feel the magic more often? Aside from situations in which you are deliberately changing the connection (like when a leader accelerates a … Read more