Last week we talked about the language of connection. This week we’ll delve into the physics of connection. (And you thought ballroom dance was simple!)
As Einstein once said (or might have had he been a ballroom dancer): Connection is energy in opposition. What does this mean?
If the leader “leans” forward with his body weight, then the follower also should “lean” forward. This creates a forward, or “push,” connection.
If the leader’s body weight hangs backward, hers also should hang back to create a back, or “pull,” connection.
Dance instructors often refer to these positions as forward or backward poise. “Poise” refers to where a dancer carries her body weight over her feet.
In forward poise, the weight is usually over the front of the foot such as the ball or toes. In a backward connection, the weight is – yes, you guessed it! – usually over the heel.
Say a couple is dancing a two-step or a waltz. The leader takes a forward step. His partner responds by taking a backwards step.
Simple, right? Ah, but there’s a wrinkle.
Even though the woman is moving backward, she must maintain forward connection through forward poise. In other words, she has to stay forward to move backward.
Only by keeping her weight poised toward the man can she feel his movement and respond accurately. If she falls back and fails to keep her forward connection, the leader will feel as though she is “running away from him” and pulling him forward instead of responding to him.
Likewise, the man should maintain a consistent forward poise to guide his partner effectively.
One more tip for followers: Ladies should not pull their elbows behind their shoulders. A follower should carry her arms slightly in front of her body, with tone, to insure that her partner can always feel her body poise.
Get these concepts, and you’ll win a Noble (Dancer) Prize.
