My personal preference is to show them the dance that I am most uncomfortable with, and asking for help with that dance. Pro and I discuss this and agree in advance of the lesson. I usually get a lot of valuable insights and ideas that can be applied to other dances.
As it happened, this is exactly what we did. Pro & I talked ahead of time & he wanted us to work on foxtrot with Coach. So at her visit, the 3 of us first talked for several minutes, then Pro & I danced some foxtrot steps for about 90 seconds, until she stopped us & said, “ok - I know exactly what we’re going to focus on.”
In ballroom dance, the most basic of skills are often the most ignored <snip> A visiting teacher is often a good objective third pair of eyes that can tell you what fundamental skills you need to be strengthen. <snip>
For a beginner thru intermediate dancer, I would recommend examining 2-4 figures that incorporate as many of these core skills. <snip> Working on core skills still surprises me how much it can improve one's dancing.
Sure enough, the lesson flew by, and we covered only 2 things. But they were important things, both of which will apply across all Smooth styles: CBM and movement of the free arm on the open figures.
I recorded parts of the lesson and transcribed some of the discussion:
(Pro) “If something arises we immediately address it. We’re very dancesport orientated, we’re not much social, kind of...she’s really interested in competition – in that direction….we like techniques, we like footwork, not so much on learning new steps.”
(Pro) “I gave her a gliding/balancing exercise
[take long back step, then stop with front foot balanced on heel, back foot balanced on ball/toe] yesterday - “
(me) “- and I’m going to practice it 2000 times a day - “
(Pro) “- and she will, too.”
(Coach) “This is stuff…trust me …you’ve been dancing only a couple months? I usually give it to people a little bit later on, but because he told me how your brain works, I want you to know it and practice it.”
[She was talking about CBM: turn L hip towards the back as R leg begins long backwards step; turn R hip towards the back as L leg begins long backwards step. This seemingly tiny thing made so many visible improvements to the basic step: a more appealing line of the whole body, better angle of back foot (not turned out at all), easier connection with partner, better balance.]
(Coach) “I can teach you to do pretty things with your arms, and we WILL get to that later, but this is more important – this is like building a house. It’s the foundation.”
(Pro) “That’s exactly what I tell her...but I mean look – it’s not everybody is doing the same, you see – and some people, unfortunately, yes they need arms more, because they can’t – physically they cannot do more – “
(Coach) “But you can. I saw you move…it’s just, to me – you’re not moving enough for your abilities. That’s why I’m breaking it down so you can understand the mechanics.”
(Coach) (to me) “Did you feel that?” (to Pro) “That was different, right?”
(Pro) “Yes! the better connection, the movement…just better overall.”
(Coach) “After only a few minutes. So bravo. I’m not worried. It will come – it’s already there.”
(Coach) “I think you’re also visual. As soon as I’m showing you, you’re seeing it. So let me show you this.”
[demonstrated UAT and related steps with lovely, graceful arm styling... #Icouldwatchherforhours]
As always, I’m a tad skeptical about believing compliments from someone I’m paying; but it’s still nice to receive them (and I do accept some of what she said as probably true).
Conclusion: I see why you guys like outside coaching sessions so much. It was
much more helpful than I expected from a 40-minute lesson with a total stranger.
