My instructor has me dancing competitive routines by myself during most of my lesson time, I have been a student of his for almost 9 years. This way of teaching started about 2-3 years ago. Dancing by myself during lesson time has continued to increase to the point that for most lessons we never go in hold or partnership. Is this a new way of training, and does anyone else train in this manner. I understand the reasoning for dancing alone, I have learned better balance, and become more familiar with routines. However, I have lost my partnership with this instructor, when in partnership his lead has become so light or soft that there isn't a lead there at all. I feel as though I am going backwards in my dancing instead of forwards. Would appreciate any view points or suggestions.

You have a lot of time invested with this man and he's getting lazy. The same thing happened to me, and finally I walked off the floor and said we were done. I am willing to learn my routines on my own time but not during a lesson and not when I should be dancing with him. That's what you are paying him for. If there is no lead and follow, what happens when he has to change the routine?