Fellow Dancers,

Anybody ever attended any of Skippy's intensive workshops ? If so, what did you think ?

I have read her articles on the swingworld site and thought it was excellent. Two topics that i really enjoyed were on "Centering" and "3-Toe Base".
Although most of her material references West Coast Swing, i am fairly certain that it would apply to most if not all
ballroom dances.... do you agree ? I think i understand enough of the "3 Toe Base" topic that i could practice
and try to apply it, but the Centering topic is a bit more complex. Instead of concentrating on moving your feet,
she suggests to work on moving your center first, then your feet. Easier said than done, especially if you are
new to the idea. At a recent West Coast Swing workshop that i attended, a suggestion was made by the instructor to keep
your left hand on your center so as to emphasize your center rather than your feet. This is a very good tip, but i don't know exactly how to determine when i am doing it right, i.e. how do i practice it and make sure i am practicing
the correct thing ? Of course, when you are "off center" you will be "off balance" as described by Skippy's "4 inch" example. I know that i have balance issues and would like to work on improving my balance. Any other excercises that you have done to improve balance that is not necessarily dance related ? Maybe something like roller blading or ice skating ?
Anybody has any thoughts on these two topics ?

follower:

It "is " complex, but it becomes more down to earth if you actually take her classes.

You can understand why she counts like she does - pulsing the upbeats and downbeats - and centering. Take one of her Intensive classes, regardless of what level you are, and remember it. If you don't get it right away, it coms back to you when you need it.

I didn't grasp her counting system until this past year, and now I count (WCS) in eights (same as the music), not sixes, which is the way we are taught!

I forgot to include:

www.swingworld.com for Skippy Blair!

Vince A

Vince,

That is what i figured. I mean that the whole thing is too complex to type in a few words in e-mail. I was hoping that you had something for me to think about......
Skippy has a workshop in Atlanta in May.. over the long weekend.

Follower:

That I'd answer you about Skippy Blair from your original . . .

Her counting method is vert intense and too in depth to go over here. Her videos are available everywhere. I would recommend, finding out what event she will be at next, and plan on attending the event and her long classes.

Tip . . . find someone who can properly show you how to "get grounded" and "getting into the floor." Both are just about the same, so at the next lesson you take, ask the Pro or instructor. If they can't answer you, find another instructor. It gets lengthy to go over here, plus you need to be shown. Some instuctors give you exercises!