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Flaming Hot International Style Tango by Mirko & Alessia

Dr Matt's Dance Class — Foxtrot Week Eleven

Here are the notes for each week's Foxtrot Lessons:
1     2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    pics

Greetings Everyone:

The Learning Curve continues to kick our butts! We progress two steps forward, only to fall one step back. It takes the first hour of class just to return to where we left off the previous week. Again, if you can reinforce what you're learning with personal practice sessions, your dancing ability will not regress from week to week.

Double Reverse Spins: A Tad Too Tough!

We discovered that the Double Reverse Spin is a tad too tough at this point in our progression; yet, it doesn't hurt to be introduced to something that is beyond your dancing ability. Now, you have a general idea of what doing a Double Reverse Spin entails, and that's a start.

Instead of tackling this tough-to-do step, we will learn an easier step that is essentially the first half of the Double Reverse Spin--it's called the Telemark. Here's Marcus and Karen Hilton dancing both the Telemark (which remains in Closed Position) and the Open Telemark (which opens to Promenade from Closed Position). Click "Pause" at 0:22 seconds and 0:33 seconds and you can see how the Karen Hilton does her Heel Turns, nice and neat!

The Open Telemark is the step we will be adding to our Foxtrot Choreography. It is a step that is the complementary opposite of the Open Impetus. In the Open Telemark, the Girls will do essentially the SAME footwork that the Guys have been doing in the Open Impetus--except Guys step backward LEFT foot to a Heel Turn, commencing a Right Turn, versus Girls stepping backward RIGHT foot to a Heel Turn, commencing a Left Turn.

Here's some Telemark Turns you can look at and learn from: Chris Hawkins and Hazel Newberry (World Champions from 2002 to 2004) dance a Foxtrot to "Somewhere in Time." You've seen this video before, but NOW you can re-visit it AFTER futile attempts to do a Double Reverse Spin--which means you should have more educated eyes to see this step with new insight and appreciation.

See a Double Reverse Spin at 0:42 seconds (Heel Turn at :42 & Viennese Cross at :43). Another Double Reverse Spin is danced at 1:05 and at 1:12 thru 1:14 -- this last one is done nice and slow.
Telemark (staying in Closed Position) at 1:59 seconds.
A fast DRS starting at 2:07
Finally, an elegant Underarm Turn at 2:55

Here's Chris and Hazel dancing the Foxtrot to "Memories"--you've viewed this video before as well.
          Telemark at 1:45
          Two consecutive Double Reverse Spins beginning at 2:39
          More Telemark Turns at 3:01 and then 3:21.

The Telemark Turns and the Double Reverse Spin are also steps danced in the Tango, the Waltz, and the Paso Doble. Here's Chris and Hazel doing a Smokin' Hot International Style Tango. You will see the Telemark (that stays in Closed Position) at 0:06 seconds, followed by a Double Reverse Spin at 0:09 seconds.

Notice how the Top Line stays perfectly still; floating on top of very active footwork below--no flailing of miscellaneous body parts. Of course the same smooth technique applies to the Foxtrot.

Revised Foxtrot Choreography (sans Double Reverse Spin):

Diagonal Center = Walk - 4 ct., **Weave - 6 ct.
Diagonal Wall = Walk - 4 ct., Weave - 6 ct.
Forward Against LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Rock Turn to Flip Flop x 4 (moving LOD)
360 Guy Flip, 360 Girl Flop, 180 to Closed Position (Lady to step Outside Partner)
Backing LOD = Open Impetus Turn - 3 ct. (Guys Heel Turn), Grapevine - 5 ct.,
Pivot - 6 ct., Grapevine - 8 ct., Hesitation - 8 ct. (Turning Right to Face New LOD)

New LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Zig Zag x 4, Open Telemark - 3 ct. (Girls Heel Turn),
Promenade Cross Step to Closed Position, Rock Turn to Throw Out:
Walk - 4 ct. (Against LOD), Rock to UnderArm Turn 8 ct.,
Walk - 4 ct. (LOD), Rock to Left Side Pass 8 ct.,
Walk - 4 ct. (Against LOD), Rock to Left Side Pass w/Man's Walk Under
Rock to Closed Position, Pivot - 6 ct., (New LOD, Diagonal Center).

Promenade Cross Step to Closed Position, **Weave 6 ct. — Repeat Choreography

Take time to do some personal practice so the Learning Curve will NOT kick your Butt before next Tuesday!

Happy Dancing!
 :o)
Matt

Notes for Dr Matt's Ballroom Dance Class — Week Twelve

Hey Dance Fans, . . . have you read my review of the
most-watched television show of the summer,
So You Think You Can Dance ?

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"Changing Your Stripes" presents principles for getting out of
the ditch in which you've been dumped (the difficulties of which you are victim),
and the ditch in which you've jumped (the difficulties for which you volunteer).

"Mastering a challenging situation
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mastering yourself!"
- Matt Moody 

"Changing Your Stripes," teaches you the principles that lead to lasting change,
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If these ideas resonate and ring true,
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Social Psychologist & Personal Advisor

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