How are your practices going?

I went to Standard Comp Rounds last evening, and summer Practice Partner joined me. I Lead, she Followed. It went pretty much as I expected, given that we’ve only practiced twice, and hadn’t had the chance to practice all the dances to music. Nevertheless, we dived into Rounds.

So, the first Round or two, I was just trying to make sure that I was navigating around the fixed poles in the room, so that I didn’t bang Practice Partner into them (yep, a lot different scooting around them when I dance solo, versus with a partner!). So, I know that I didn’t keep my edges/sides “present” enough, especially when we got into traffic. In the later Rounds, there were some song selections that I couldn’t handle – there was at least one Waltz, one Tango, and one Quickstep with tempos that were so slow, that I could not manage the required balance/control, with a partner, that was needed to stay on time. We actually exited the floor during a Foxtrot where I simply could not for the life of me find the beat/rhythm – that’s pretty unusual for me. In Quickstep generally, I don’t know what happened to me – we weren’t getting enough floor coverage, so I was winding up in alignments that didn’t work, and I was trying to fill in with basic Bronze figures and got totally lost.

And all of that meant that I was getting more mentally fatigued than usual. But I’d expected that would happen. Still, I was a bit disappointed in myself that I couldn’t give a better Lead for Practice Partner to work with. Still, that’s what Rounds are for, right?

On the bright side – the other Rounders are a great bunch of people and were very welcoming to Practice Partner. Practice Partner said she had fun – AND she said she’s looking forward to our next practices, and the next Rounds sessions. So, she hasn’t given up on me.
 
I'm back after a bit of a break!
I had a 2 hour practice with my collegiate team (1 hr of waltz and 1 hr of cha cha)
I kept tripping over my own feet in the first 15 minutes and cut the top of my foot lol?? But otherwise, it was fine.
There was a lot of partner switching so that kept me on my toes a lot, and there were a couple of more advanced follows so they were a great reference!
For waltz, I focused a lot on footwork and making sure my feet come together at the proper steps(which is surprisingly hard? I didn't realize how much my feet don't meet when they have to)
During cha cha, arms were a big focus for me, as well as making sure that I don't pick up my feet unnecessarily.

And!! The other people at the practice were super nice and willing to practice with different people. Now I'm more excited about joining the team next semester :)
 
After lessons today, Summer Practice Partner and I spent about 2 hours practicing. We focused primarily on the Tango and Foxtrot figures that we’d just worked on in our joint lesson earlier, and when we had a chance to run through them to music, we could sense some improvement. Some Quickstep music came on and we ran through a couple of sides – the Running Right Turn was quite glitchy and SPP was taking way too long to complete the heel turn, so it felt like I was leaving her behind. But once we sorted that out, it seemed to work much better. And in Waltz, we had to test out the different timings in the Reverse Fallaway/Slip Pivot, and while that figure remains a bit bumpy, at least we know WHY and what to do to fix it. But after four hours on the floor, I ran out of energy, so we’ll have to re-visit that at our next practice.
 
Cal said:
After lessons today, Summer Practice Partner and I spent about 2 hours practicing. We focused primarily on the Tango and Foxtrot figures that we’d just worked on in our joint lesson earlier, and when we had a chance to run through them to music, we could sense some improvement. Some Quickstep music came on and we ran through a couple of sides – the Running Right Turn was quite glitchy and SPP was taking way too long to complete the heel turn, so it felt like I was leaving her behind. But once we sorted that out, it seemed to work much better. And in Waltz, we had to test out the different timings in the Reverse Fallaway/Slip Pivot, and while that figure remains a bit bumpy, at least we know WHY and what to do to fix it. But after four hours on the floor, I ran out of energy, so we’ll have to re-visit that at our next practice.
Click to expand...
Fallaway reverse slip pivot: been working on that for 4-5 years.
Running right turn: worked on that for 3-4 years

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger!
 
I’m Absolutely in despair. I checked in at the Y today, changed my clothes, and was just reaching out to open the door to the exercise room to start my practice. And the instructor whose class had just finished, looked at me, gasped, and said “Oh, Cal! Didn’t anybody tell you?” There’s another class that’s been scheduled in this time slot. Didn’t you know?”
And the “other class” is the martial arts guy running his FOR PROFIT business at the Y.
I guess I always knew that they’d keep squeezing me out - it was just a matter of time. And I’d tried to look for a Plan B for when this time came. But I couldn’t find anything.
I have no idea what I’m going to do.
 
The search for a new practice space is not going well. I went to a different Y location, and reserved a Racquetball Court. Reservations are only 45 minutes long, though it seems that the courts are rarely used, so double-time reservations and over-staying wouldn’t seem to be a problem. But, size is obviously not ideal; no air/fans, no mirrors – all those things I could probably deal with. But the long-term dealbreaker is the floor – heavily varnished wood over concrete.

Sigh.
 
Meltdown at the Y.

Two days ago I reserved a racquetball court for a time slot today for a bit of practice (until I can find something better). When I got to the court, there were a pair of fencers using the court for a fencing lesson.

And the other courts were reserved. So I went back to reception to get some help in sorting things out. And was told that the fencing teacher rents the space! I practically spluttered. How the hell does a regular member get use of the Y facilities if they give priority to “renters”? Do they expect members to pay rent, too?

They did tell the fencers to leave the court, as they hadn’t reserved the space. But I’m sure they’ll book up all the slots next time.

And all that cut into my practice time.

NOT a happy camper; not at all.
 
Cal said:
And the other courts were reserved. So I went back to reception to get some help in sorting things out. And was told that the fencing teacher rents the space! I practically spluttered. How the hell does a regular member get use of the Y facilities if they give priority to “renters”? Do they expect members to pay rent, too?

They did tell the fencers to leave the court, as they hadn’t reserved the space. But I’m sure they’ll book up all the slots next time.
Click to expand...

ARRGGHHHHHHHHH

Ok so I know you are venting, and not looking for unsolicited advice/observations here, but here goes some boundary stomping.

First, I am actually (pleasantly, if I can say that) surprised that the Y enforced your reservation. Soapbox issue here, but I feel like this has become a huge problem with society, is lack of enforcement of rules or courtesy (so much for "rule of law"). No one is willing to do that anymore it seems, not wanting a confrontation or fearing violence, and then rude rulebreakers get their way and it becomes the norm. That's why we have all these people walking around in public with their phones and iPads on speakerphone or blaring videos without headphones. And why so many people on planes keep having to fight for the seats they paid for and reserved if they don't get there first.

Strategically... how far in advance can you reserve a space, and what is the cancellation policy? Maybe you can beat them to it (though frankly, it is more "right" for them to be making a reservation rather than just squatting in an unused space). Also, I wouldn't blame you either way, but did they refuse to relocate until staff said something, or did you (understandably so) go straight to the staff to avoid what was probably not going to be a polite conversation?
 
IndyLady said:
Strategically... how far in advance can you reserve a space, and what is the cancellation policy? Maybe you can beat them to it (though frankly, it is more "right" for them to be making a reservation rather than just squatting in an unused space). Also, I wouldn't blame you either way, but did they refuse to relocate until staff said something, or did you (understandably so) go straight to the staff to avoid what was probably not going to be a polite conversation?
Click to expand...
They can be reserved up to 7 days in advance. To cancel, as far as I can tell, they just "ask" that you just click a cancel button. They don't appear to impose any kind of penalty for failing to cancel if you don't use the reservation.

When I saw my reserved court in use by someone else, I went straight to staff to address it, for two reasons: (i) I figured if no one ever reports those things to staff, they don't know there might be a problem to fix, and (ii) the two guys were wearing helmets and swinging around fencing foils.:coldfeet:

To be fair, they did immediately vacate the court when staff asked them to. But I don't know if the fencing teacher will complain to the staff about being kicked off a court even though he pays "rent" for it.
 
Cal said:
They can be reserved up to 7 days in advance. To cancel, as far as I can tell, they just "ask" that you just click a cancel button. They don't appear to impose any kind of penalty for failing to cancel if you don't use the reservation.

When I saw my reserved court in use by someone else, I went straight to staff to address it, for two reasons: (i) I figured if no one ever reports those things to staff, they don't know there might be a problem to fix, and (ii) the two guys were wearing helmets and swinging around fencing foils.:coldfeet:

To be fair, they did immediately vacate the court when staff asked them to. But I don't know if the fencing teacher will complain to the staff about being kicked off a court even though he pays "rent" for it.
Click to expand...
Good call about reporting to staff so they know there is a problem. Also now that you've given me the visual, that seems obvious :D. And that said (while I'm on a roll complaining about society)... I seriously eyeroll at the people who are like "whatever happened to just being an adult and talking directly to someone about a problem" that spawned the whole line of Karen insults... umm, yeah, IME most people you would be talking to directly are not receptive to the notion that they might need to alter their behavior (in fact they are likely offended that you even had the gall to ask, or tell you off in return) so you might as well skip the middleman and go straight to the authorities.
 
@Cal, I feel you. For-profit fencing classes and practices not on the regular schedule are why I quit my Y. And they had a great dance studio: Beautiful sprung wood floor, barres, mirrors, sound system. Fencers. There were 30 of them and one of me, and no reservation system.

Feh.
 
j_alexandra said:
@Cal, I feel you. For-profit fencing classes and practices not on the regular schedule are why I quit my Y. And they had a great dance studio: Beautiful sprung wood floor, barres, mirrors, sound system. Fencers. There were 30 of them and one of me, and no reservation system.

Feh.
Click to expand...
Is the studio big enough to share?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top