Keeping the frame
- Thread starter brujo
- Start date
Vince A
Active Member
I'm not much help here, but I used to use a wall for compression practice and the refrigerator door handle for compression and the "rubber band" stretch! It worked for me!
You can also use a rubber band in your connection with your practice partner . . . and of course exchange the rubber band for a nickel placed between your fingertips. You must keep your frame to keep the nickel in place, yet the nickel is light enough to practice having a light touch connection - which I am an advocate of, but others on this forum are not. It's just a matter of personal choice . . . nothing to argue over!
You can also use a rubber band in your connection with your practice partner . . . and of course exchange the rubber band for a nickel placed between your fingertips. You must keep your frame to keep the nickel in place, yet the nickel is light enough to practice having a light touch connection - which I am an advocate of, but others on this forum are not. It's just a matter of personal choice . . . nothing to argue over!
SwinginBoo
New Member
I'm not sure if this holds true for salsa, so if not, just tell me to be quiet. But when I think of connection I think of a rubber band that stretches and bounces back lightly. You don't want to be yanking your partner, but you must have a good connection in order to communicate.
Make sure you are engaging your lats. If you aren't using your arms correctly, you could start feeling pain in your shoulder area.
Make sure you are engaging your lats. If you aren't using your arms correctly, you could start feeling pain in your shoulder area.
SDsalsaguy
Administrator
Hell yes! Not every style has it but, to my way of thinking, elasticity is the name of the game for a dynamic connection.
As far as the frame question, one trick is to think of pointing your elbows out to the sides rathe then just holding them up. Note: do not actually dance with your elbows pointed to the sides! :lol:
Thinking "out," however, helps achieve the activation of the lats SwinginBoo mentions.
As far as the frame question, one trick is to think of pointing your elbows out to the sides rathe then just holding them up. Note: do not actually dance with your elbows pointed to the sides! :lol:
Thinking "out," however, helps achieve the activation of the lats SwinginBoo mentions.
SDsalsaguy
Administrator
No sweat Vince...now if only I could remember to do it all the time myself!
Black Sheep
New Member
Constant Resistance (CR)
Brujo,
Constant Resistance (CR) between partners is what you are really talking about when you talk about a strong frame. The term strong frame is not descriptive of the technique. SF can mean any sundry conditions and does not go directly to the crux of the problem. Teachers invent abstract terms that sound good but only complicate the learning process.
Now I will give you the best exercise, I have come across in over 50 years of teaching, to develop CR when you are dancing. Please keep in mind what this will do for you is give you a solid foundation for CR and when you mentioned, 'my elbow goes limp' that gave me the key to your problem. Let me preface this exercise by admitting I got onto it by observing an Asian American couple giving a lesson at Lance's 'Lindy Groove', I believer his name was Bernie and I'm sorry I can't recall the lady's name, but here is the exercise, and I'll bet you a dollar to a donut someone will negate this exercise by saying it's been around for years and they have better ways to develop CR, but don't be dissuaded, try this for 15 minutes, and if it doesn't work for you I'll give you your money back. Within 15 minutes of this exercise your 'limp elbow' will be history. This is the Magic Pill for your problem. But there's a catch! You do need a partner to practice with.
Magic Pill, Constant Resistance (CR):
1) Get in the Push Position, palms of hands to palms;
2) Test each other by gently pushing and pulling away, Resisting in equilibrium to each others pushes and pulls; the arms always in a bent 'obtuse angle' which is maintained THROUGHOUT this exercise with slightly flexible adjusting: (about a 100 to 120 degrees; NO straight stiff arms)
3) Now slowly go into squats together leaning slightly away from each other and supporting each other to avoid falling backwards;
4) Now rise slowly leaning inward pushing in equilibrium gently toward each other in a balanced posture with slight body tilt inward keeping hips tucked in normal posture;
5) Now go into same squat, but leaning gently but firmly toward each other:
6) Now rise with a slight but firm lean way from each other.
Repeat these six steps without relenting with your constant pressure to or tension from each other BETWEEN rises and squats. There are other techniques of leading and following which I have described in previous Commentaries under the thread, 'Teaching Technique's.
Black Sheep, I'm free but expensive.
Brujo,
Constant Resistance (CR) between partners is what you are really talking about when you talk about a strong frame. The term strong frame is not descriptive of the technique. SF can mean any sundry conditions and does not go directly to the crux of the problem. Teachers invent abstract terms that sound good but only complicate the learning process.
Now I will give you the best exercise, I have come across in over 50 years of teaching, to develop CR when you are dancing. Please keep in mind what this will do for you is give you a solid foundation for CR and when you mentioned, 'my elbow goes limp' that gave me the key to your problem. Let me preface this exercise by admitting I got onto it by observing an Asian American couple giving a lesson at Lance's 'Lindy Groove', I believer his name was Bernie and I'm sorry I can't recall the lady's name, but here is the exercise, and I'll bet you a dollar to a donut someone will negate this exercise by saying it's been around for years and they have better ways to develop CR, but don't be dissuaded, try this for 15 minutes, and if it doesn't work for you I'll give you your money back. Within 15 minutes of this exercise your 'limp elbow' will be history. This is the Magic Pill for your problem. But there's a catch! You do need a partner to practice with.
Magic Pill, Constant Resistance (CR):
1) Get in the Push Position, palms of hands to palms;
2) Test each other by gently pushing and pulling away, Resisting in equilibrium to each others pushes and pulls; the arms always in a bent 'obtuse angle' which is maintained THROUGHOUT this exercise with slightly flexible adjusting: (about a 100 to 120 degrees; NO straight stiff arms)
3) Now slowly go into squats together leaning slightly away from each other and supporting each other to avoid falling backwards;
4) Now rise slowly leaning inward pushing in equilibrium gently toward each other in a balanced posture with slight body tilt inward keeping hips tucked in normal posture;
5) Now go into same squat, but leaning gently but firmly toward each other:
6) Now rise with a slight but firm lean way from each other.
Repeat these six steps without relenting with your constant pressure to or tension from each other BETWEEN rises and squats. There are other techniques of leading and following which I have described in previous Commentaries under the thread, 'Teaching Technique's.
Black Sheep, I'm free but expensive.
Swing Kitten
New Member
compression... the engaged frame. (rubberband) not limp but flexible never rigid... people get hurt that way.
DanceMentor
Administrator
I think it is also important to note that the "pressure" you feel from the frame is a result of forward poise, not a tightening of the arms.