C'mon people, it's a suggested exercize. If you dont like a different approach to a common problem, dont do it and move on to something else. Owen

Exercises that create distored positions are dangerous. They can be usefull tools, but must only be used by those who understand the danger.

Very good point, Anon!!!!

Jerry

Anonymous, I agree with what you said here.1. the elbows and body made a slight curve forward.( they are not in same plane ) 2. lady should stop for a while to get the next signal for further connection.
3. treat elbows and body lines fixed throughout the dance . the rotation occurred around the spine. ( for me, it is not easy to maitain in feather step, step 3 . I have to very concentrate to avoid deforming )
Last night , my teacher asked me to response a transient slight relaxation on my right shoulder to create an interesting effect in Spanish drag ( in Tango.) ,I noted I need more exercises about my shoulder movement although I did it at that time.
I hope I can do better forward and backward movemnt over the region near my sternal angle level.( like in back check ) . What do you advise me ?
Thanks.
ylchen

To keep the shoulders down, practice putting you body in the position you want to achieve, and then letting the shoulders feel heavy. Relax and really feel where the strain is, breathe, try to let the tension flow out of you - the physical tensions and the emotional tension too. You don't have to be anywhere near a dancefloor to do this - it can be waiting for the bus or whatever, subtly with your arms hanging at your sides you can still practice letting your shoulders relax down.

Plus when you get good at it, it's good for letting go of stress while waiting for the music to start in the competition.

Hi Suomynona
Very good points you made. Think about relaxing the shoulders in everyday activities.
I've had terrible trouble over the years with hunching my shoulders. Still liable to do it. I spoke with my physio about it abut 6 months ago and she gave me some fabulous advice which has improved things for me greatly in a short time. Pull your rib cage up and away from the hips. that's it. Doing this seems to increase my height a great deal and makes it almost impossible to hunch my shoulders. Try it. The Abdominal muscles are working hard to do it, but don't think of them, think of ribs and hips and pulling them apart. Everything else moves into place.

Lift up from the spine, let the shoulders hang down.

Good points, and split( extend the elbow outward)

Phil,
pul up rib cage from the hip is really helpful to create and maintain beautiful body lines ;long and flat contacted surface with the partner and correct level of elbows.
Physio 's fabulous advice based on the knowledge of human body. How smart they are.

...Pull the ribcage up from the hips.

I am not following, but could use an exercise like this. Could you explain it a little bit more?