Chris Stratton
New Member
This is an attempt to find a place for technical thoughts prompted by (but perhaps not helpful in) the what to do when dancing is dead/broken/no fun any more thread.
Here's one we got today: One partner places their finger tips on their sternum so their elbows project nicely off their shoulder lines, just a little in front of the body. Their partner then uses a normal arm position on the joined side, and holds the other elbow in their hand. This accomplishes two things - first, it makes it much less likely for the partner in the drill position to get an elbow behind their back - it's sort of a like an improvised frame brace gizmo. Second, it spaces you apart enough that you won't try to create body contact - this means you learn to rely on the information provided in the frame. The goal is to make a habit of the feeling of a frame held in front of your body and capable of being used for connection, which will persist when you return to a normal arm position, perhaps even if you then move the bodies closer together.
Here's one we got today: One partner places their finger tips on their sternum so their elbows project nicely off their shoulder lines, just a little in front of the body. Their partner then uses a normal arm position on the joined side, and holds the other elbow in their hand. This accomplishes two things - first, it makes it much less likely for the partner in the drill position to get an elbow behind their back - it's sort of a like an improvised frame brace gizmo. Second, it spaces you apart enough that you won't try to create body contact - this means you learn to rely on the information provided in the frame. The goal is to make a habit of the feeling of a frame held in front of your body and capable of being used for connection, which will persist when you return to a normal arm position, perhaps even if you then move the bodies closer together.