The blind leading the blind...is a good thing?


Hugh1a is counting the days...

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Hi Folks,

Just thought I'd share with you something I have recently tried that has really helped my salsa.

I went to the Mo Flex thang in Mullingar recently:   I was tired, cranky and not up for much, but hey, thats probably an accurate description of me on a good day anyway

Ok one red bull later, I'm feeling a little better, so I decide  the advanced class:  tricky, but really slinky if you pulled it off.   I wasnt getting it.   Correction I was one step away from a mortal hazard.   So frustrating.

Then Mo, did something a little different.   He asked the guys to close their eyes, I know its been done before, most noteably in Cork, but I was on the ball on that occasion       The object of the voluntary blinding was to improve the mans lead, but I noticed a distinct by-product:   When I had my eyes open, I wasn't really thinking, I was reacting.   Once my eyes were closed, it was all thinking - there was nothing to react to, except the ladys hands of course.   

Once my eyes were opened: boom.   Move understood, and, memorised!    So I started thinking - why the heck dont instructors do this at the end of every class?  It would only take a minute - and the value to the students in terms of move retention could be huge.   I've done quite a few classes now, and own the move in practice, only to find, two weeks later, that I forget part X or part Y of the sequence, or that I dont recall the move well enough to transform it into something else, especially if its complex.   You have two options there, either cajole your partner, friend, or loved one to practise with you until the move sinks in mechanically or...

I tried eyes closed yesterday at the end of a dance routine for some bachata yesterday, again boom - its in my head and not going anywhere in the near future.   Muscle memory is no substitute for mind memory

One side note:   Men with eyes closed : ok.    Women with eyes closed: ok.   BOTH with eyes closed: receipe for trouble, accidents and possibly injury.   Tried it once - never again ( maybe I should change the subject title? )

Anywho, just thought I'd mention it.  Let me know what you think 

/H.

Hugh1a posted a new topic on 05/10/2010 @ 09:58

This is what I found out : HOW TO CHEAT AT BEING BLINDFOLDED

Tell the lovely lady that if you leave one hand go and turn her, that if she puts her ahands together afterwards, then i'll know where they are.( in the center ).  also the cuban/meringue technique of never letting her hands go will mean you always know where she is.

I love blindfold events at it's the Teachers fault when both are blindfolded. I believe that this technique removes the stress of looking out for careless dancers beside you and leaves you to focus on the simple things ya need to do. Always two thumbs up when asked to do this... great fun .

leixliplearner replied on 09/10/2010 @ 17:07

Hmmm....provided the move requires a hand hold at all times that might work, but you've got quite a lot of room for error here if you include handshines, shoulder or waist turns, shouder checks or even leg shines

Uh uh... double blind == suicide imo.   From that one occasion : one guy I know tried it and got an accidental knee in the lower midsection area.  One guy accidentially misjudged the ladies shoulder position with darkly comic results ( darkly as the lady was very annoyed, comic as given they were both blind as bats she shouldnt have been ). 

Then of course there was the usual get it wrong stuff, skewered feet ( my poor feet ) etc.    And that was night full of good dancers!    Nope the double blindfold may be a fun idea, but it doesnt work in my opinion.  The single blindfold however, thats got serious potential!

It cant be the intructors fault.  Firstly because he cant look at 20 couples simultaneously, second, because you as the leader, should have the cop on to CHOOSE what must be done in the best interests of the lady in front of you, regardless of what the instructor says.  Speaking for myself, my common sense from now on dictates that either she should be able to see me , or I her or both.

For blindfold dancers never the twain shall meet.

MTC/H.

Hugh1a replied on 11/10/2010 @ 13:19
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