Eliminating the "triangle of light"

[pygmalion]

Okay, ballroom dancers. I was watching myself on video the other day, and I looked great. There was one small (or not so small) problem. My legs looks one mile apart. Are there any special things you do to train your legs to execute that brushing action, and eliminate the "triangle of light" i.e. that big old space between the legs.

[msc]

Try to keep the pressure on your foot limited to the inner half of the foot, maybe even the inner 4th. Doing so will require a constant isometric contraction of the inner thigh muscles. This will also help your balance.

[SDsalsaguy]

Trace, trace, and TRACE! Whenever you are practicing, make sure that you are bringing your moving foot under your torso and brushing your ankles as you move the active leg. Also try to keep that whole "clench a quarter... :oops: " action engaged throughout as well.

Actually, on the tracing issue, it reminds me of a national finalist, and she was one of the most technically sound and precise dancers you could hope to see, who's inside ankle bones were permanently black and blue from the force with which she continuously slammed her ankles together and past each other as she danced.... :shock:

[pygmalion]

Yes! My (soon to be former :cry: ) coach told me a similar story about a workshop he attended with a top level pro. She did rumba walks solo on the dance floor, and in the silence, you could hear her legs BANGING into each other with every step. No triangle of light there!

[SDsalsaguy]

Exactly so... :!: