I definitely noticed that she kept her heels very close to the floor during the whole dance. I think this is important for us to keep in mind. I think it is a very important follower technique for avoiding high heel caused injury.
Thanks!
To whoever it was that asked me what the female teacher taught me about using my heels, this is pretty much what she said.... having the heel, and bottom of foot, pointed down (not back) when reaching back - no stretching through the top of the foot a la ballet, especially if you aren't turned out. Aim for stretch through the back of the knee rather than the top of the foot to create a nice reaching and "extending" line.
Note: all instruction given in a private lesson
should be to correct an
individual's specific problems. Therefore, what is said may not apply globally. So things like "stretch in the the back of the knee" may not be useful or even applicable to everyone.
However, the general technique she was teaching to all followers (AFAIK) involved NOT dancing on the toes and NOT lifting the heels much off the floor when reaching, and consequently, no "plonk" and no pulling away from the leader when settling down on the heel. (also, not as much chance of stabbing someone.)
As someone who got
"point your toes!" drilled into me (even as a skater, despite the fact, that you can't really point your toes in skates) I find that it takes effort and concentration to train myself out of it and not use every opportunity to stretch in the top of my foot. (what's really ironic about that is that even when my toes ARE pointed, I don't have those lovely high arched feet, so it doesn't actually look much different than when I
don't point hard!)
