Small spinning revelation

[Lockstep]

Hey people,

practicing my spinning in front of my mirrors, I discovered something that now seems to let me do 3-4 stable spins instead of my usual 2-3, and in general makes me much more stable..figured id share

previously, while spotting, i used to 'spot' to one point even before initiating the first turn.

now, i discovered that when i 'lock on' to a point after having completed the first turn I end up with a much stabler sense of balance.

My theory for this is that in the first time Im still accelerating and that artificially keeping my head locked on one point, without it being really necessary due to the low speed, its simply counterproductive.

Anyway, whatever the reason, simply 'locking on' by somewhat beginning to looking over my right shoulder (when turning clockwise), allowing to lock on effectively after a quarter or half of a turn in fact, made me much more stable. I'm still locking on/spotting to a point in front of me (i.e. my partner, although I havent dared to practice my hardcore spinning on the dancefloor yet)

Perhaps this is common knowledge. Perhaps this is just specific to my idiosyncracies. Perhaps it is of some use to other beginning spinners.

Lemme know

 

[sac76]

Hey people,

practicing my spinning in front of my mirrors, I discovered something that now seems to let me do 3-4 stable spins instead of my usual 2-3, and in general makes me much more stable..figured id share

previously, while spotting, i used to 'spot' to one point even before initiating the first turn.

now, i discovered that when i 'lock on' to a point after having completed the first turn I end up with a much stabler sense of balance.

My theory for this is that in the first time Im still accelerating and that artificially keeping my head locked on one point, without it being really necessary due to the low speed, its simply counterproductive.

Anyway, whatever the reason, simply 'locking on' by somewhat beginning to looking over my right shoulder (when turning clockwise), allowing to lock on effectively after a quarter or half of a turn in fact, made me much more stable. I'm still locking on/spotting to a point in front of me (i.e. my partner, although I havent dared to practice my hardcore spinning on the dancefloor yet)

Perhaps this is common knowledge. Perhaps this is just specific to my idiosyncracies. Perhaps it is of some use to other beginning spinners.

Lemme know

thanks lockstep thats a valuable piece of information for beginners like me....have been practising my spins but im not comfortable with the way i look when im spinning.....also, when i do 2 spins, i lose my balance no matterwhat....also, for hookturns, do u guys slide ur right leg behind ur left leg or just place it behind and spin?whats the correct technique for hook turns?
thanks

 

[sac76]

Hey people,

practicing my spinning in front of my mirrors, I discovered something that now seems to let me do 3-4 stable spins instead of my usual 2-3, and in general makes me much more stable..figured id share

previously, while spotting, i used to 'spot' to one point even before initiating the first turn.

now, i discovered that when i 'lock on' to a point after having completed the first turn I end up with a much stabler sense of balance.

My theory for this is that in the first time Im still accelerating and that artificially keeping my head locked on one point, without it being really necessary due to the low speed, its simply counterproductive.

Anyway, whatever the reason, simply 'locking on' by somewhat beginning to looking over my right shoulder (when turning clockwise), allowing to lock on effectively after a quarter or half of a turn in fact, made me much more stable. I'm still locking on/spotting to a point in front of me (i.e. my partner, although I havent dared to practice my hardcore spinning on the dancefloor yet)

Perhaps this is common knowledge. Perhaps this is just specific to my idiosyncracies. Perhaps it is of some use to other beginning spinners.

Lemme know

thanks lockstep thats a valuable piece of information for beginners like me....have been practising my spins but im not comfortable with the way i look when im spinning.....also, when i do 2 spins, i lose my balance no matterwhat....also, for hookturns, do u guys slide ur right leg behind ur left leg or just place it behind and spin?whats the correct technique for hook turns?
thanks

 

[lolita]

thats a good piece lockstep..
will do that right now infront of the mirror..

 

[Meryl]

Lockstep, I will be working your angle more. I have noticed lately in practicing that if I start a spin by looking a quarter-turn in that direction before I start the spin, that I have a MUCH more stable spin. In trying 2, though, I find I lose concentration and my spot goes anywhere and everywhere. In reading your post, I'm still not sure how/when to return my spot to my lead.

Why does spinning have to be so daxxed HARD! I practice until I can't eat (good diet method, btw) and progress is painfully slow. Is it possible that I'm beyond the age of learning spins (balance issues)? :-(

 

[BugBear]

I know a girl who can't spin because she has a problem with her vesribular aparatus.

 

[Lockstep]

I know a girl who can't spin because she has a problem with her vesribular aparatus.

with her what?

 

[BugBear]

okay...... Well that's what happens when you're not a native speaker and think you know it all I mean that thing in your ear that helps you balance

 

[Lockstep]

oh. that. sounded scary. was afraid i had it too guess its a good thing i do, then?

merry xmas

 

[BugBear]

You should be very glad that you have it

 

[desconocida]

What BB means is the thing in between your ears that assures your orientation and equilibrium sense....
If you've a problem with it (so do I, for example) you may get sick in cars, busses, planes or even carrousels. Or you may have some difficulties with the spins.

 

[BugBear]

Exactly...

 

[Josh]

also, for hookturns, do u guys slide ur right leg behind ur left leg or just place it behind and spin?whats the correct technique for hook turns?
thanks

sac,

see my post in this thread, the third one from the top... I didn't reread it to make sure I still do it this way, but it's definitely a valid way to do a hook turn.

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=9920

The thing about turns is that there are a few core principles that 90% of the time hold true (like nose over center over feet, body in alignment; momentum generated from shoulders; etc) but otherwise turns should be done in the way that's easiest for you. There's no "right way" to do a hook turn, as I've seen it done different ways that all look great when done properly. And besides that, there are a gazillion different types of turns and spins, so you have many to choose from!

Note: one thing I did not put in my hook turn post above was, now I realize, a crucial step that we often forget when prepping for a turn... RELAX. You "wind up," get ready to go, and when you release, it's like CP3O trying to spin instead of a person because we're so tense... so, once you get in position, relax, and then calmly (but w/ force if desired) generate the momentum with the shoulders and execute the turn.

 

[sac76]

thanks josh