October - Beginners Classes

Tuesday Night Samba

1. Basic (2x)
2. Box (2x)
3. Balancetes aka Wisk
   
4. Copas
5. Voltas
6. Reverse Turn (2x)
   

Thursday Night Hustle

1. Cross Body Lead (4x)
2. Send Out
3. Whip (2x)
4. Ladies Inside Underarm Turn
5. Man's Underarm Turn (under his right arm)
6. Ladies Inside Underarm Turn
7. Karate Chop (right hand to right wrist/up and over to shadow position)
8. Tuck Release (lady swivels left, then turns right/man lifts both arms)
9. Right Side Pass (man raises both arms up to give the lady an UA Turn passing his right side/ lady turns left)
10. ___________________(however you want to end it)

Group Class Videos

Hi Dancers,

If you are a member of the 6-week series classes and you want to review your patterns learned in between sessions now it's easier than ever! Go to "Group Class Videos" (click link) and you can view video clips of patterns learned in class to make practicing easier.

Enjoy!

The Dance Lounge Newsletter - Sept 09

You can view this directly on the website under "Group Class Videos" since this issue pertains to the West Coast Swing 6 week series.

September - Beginners Class

Rumba

1. Box
2. Underarm Turn
3. Box
   
4. 2nd Position Breaks
5. Box
6. 5th Position Breaks
7. Box
8. Promenade Swivels
9. Cross Body Lead
10. Cross Over Breaks & Walk Around Turn

Waltz

1. Box
2. Underarm Turn
3. Box
   
4. 5th Position Breaks
5. Box
6. 2 Rotating Boxes
7. 4 Progressive Basics
8. Twinkle
9. Promenade Hesitation & Develope
   

West Coast Swing - Intermediate (Jul -Aug)

Starter Step
Sugar Push
Inside Underarm Pass (man turns right)
Cuddle Whip w/ Free Spin Turn
Overhead & Hold
Right Side Pass to Hammerlock Tuck

West Coast Swing - Beginners (Jul -Aug)

Starter Step
Sugar Push
Underarm Pass
Sugar Tuck
Overhead Wrap
Whip
Whip w/ Outside Underarm Turn
Inside Underarm Pass
Whirly Sue
Right Side Pass w/ Tuck Turn

Beginners Class August

Cha Cha

1. Side Basic
2. Cross Over Breaks & Walk Around Turn
3. Open Break to Shoulder Check (3x) w/ Underarm Turn
4. Cross Body Lead to Inside Underarm Turn
5. Cross Over Break & Flick
6. Swivels
7. Back Breaks to Underarm Turn

Tango

1. Basic
2. Tango Rocks
3. Turning Cortes
4. Flare Promenade w/ Underarm Turn

New West Coast Series Coming Soon!!!

Click on the flyer for details:
* 6 Wednesdays from July 22 - August 26
* 6pm - Beginners
* 7pm - Intermediate
* $50 per level or $70 for both!

Classes held at:
Dancer Avenue Studio
24705 Narbonne Ave.
Lomita, CA. 90717
(310) 387-0709

JULY - Beginners Class

East Coast Swing - Triple Time

1. Open Basic
2. Outside UA Turn
3. Inside UA Turn
4. Open Basic
5. Closed Basic (rotating 4x)
6. Promenade Triples
7. Send Out

Foxtrot

1. Basic (2x)
   
2. Left Rock Turn
3. Promenade
4. Promenade w/ Outside UA Turn
5. Sway Step
6. Zig Zag
   

JUNE - Beginners Class

Tuesday - Samba

1. Basic
2. Box
3. Balancetes
4. Copa's
5. Botofogo
6. Voltas
7. Paulista
   

Thursday - Hustle

1. Send Out
2. Closed
3. Send Out
4. Closed
5. Send Out
6. Wheel
7. Ladies Inside UA Turn
8. Mans Inside UA Turn
9. Waist Roll
10. Sweetheart
11. Side Passes
12. Swivel Walks
13. Send Out
    

New West Coast Series Coming Soon!!!

Click on the flyer for details:
* 6 Wednesdays from June 3 - July 8
* 6pm - Beginners
* 7pm - Intermediate
* $50 per level or $70 for both!

Classes held at:
Dancer Avenue Studio
24705 Narbonne Ave.
Lomita, CA. 90717
(310) 387-0709

Impatient Instructors

I've heard from students before that they sometimes feel like their instructors get a little impatient from time to time and they've asked me why. Well, I've soaked on this a bit and think I've come up with fair reasons.

It is an instructors place to see where your dancing skills can go. It's their job to guide you, teach you, push you and dance with you. During private lessons, they're often over exaggerating movements and technique to make them clearly visible which requires a lot from their bodies. When dancing routines, they often times push the choreography to require more from them to create a more intriguing show. Now imagine doing a dip - after a dip - after a dip - after a dip to teach you how to dip someone? Now imagine leading a dip - after a dip - after a dip - after a dip to teach you how to dip properly? So now imagine doing this for several hours a day. Sometimes, the frustration (I feel) comes from an overworked body combined with the knowing that you can do what is being asked if you'll just go for it without searching for perfection (aka analysis-paralysis). Other times, it's because as the dance progresses so does the relationship. The student-teacher relationship almost becomes a partnership. What do I mean? Well, a partnership means that two people are committed to making something work. An instructor can show you, teach you and move you but, they can never dance it for you.

The majority of instructors teach dance because they LOVE to dance and want the world to feel what they feel while dancing. But remember, they are only human and not dancing machines. They too feel the aches and pains of a long day and they get up and do again for the same reasons you show up to your lessons....simply because there is a passion for dance (or better yet, an incurable addiction).

So the next time your teacher seems to get a little frustrated...just go for it! If you're not getting something, something hurts or you don't like something, communicate that with them clearly so the problem can be fixed asap. Remember, I'm not talking about your day to day sessions when your head is spinning because you're thinking of the 1001 layers you need to be doing while dancing. I'm talking about the rare moments that you may feel like you're instructor is asking you to grin and bear it for a moment to get through something. They are most likely trying to work out something themselves or get some muscle memory started knowing that it can be adjusted later. If they are still frustrated, perhaps they are incredible dancers but not good teachers. Lol.

Fashion Tips 101

Okay ladies . . . this one is for you.

When wearing spandex pants, take a moment to double check that the thickness of your pants has kept it's integrity once stretched. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some poor woman oblivious to the fact that her undergarments are showing in direct light.

Just a tip. - Ally

May - Beginners Classes

Tuesday Night Rumba

1. Box
2. Underarm Turn
3. Box
4. Cross Over Breaks & Underarm Turn
5. Box
6. Promenade Swivels
7. Cross Box Lead & Rocks
   

Thursday Night Waltz

1. Box
2. Underarm Turn
3. Box
4. 4 Point Hesitations
5. Progressive Basics (4x)
6. Twinkle w/brush
7. Reverse Turn
   

Beginners - Tango

1. Basic
2. Tango Rocks in Shadow Position
3. Promande
4. Medio Corte (2x)
5. Flare Promenade w/ Underarm Turn
   

April - Beginners Class

Cha Cha

1. Side Basic
2. New Yorkers
3. Walk Around Turn
4. Progressive Basic
5. The Chase
6. Cross Body Lead
   

West Coast Swing Class

Get ready to dance! I'm so excited that my new West Coast Swing series is beginning tonight. I can't wait to introduce new dancers to this awesome dance and treat those who are well versed in some new fantastic patterns as well as some super stylie technique.

See you on the dance floor!

Allyson

Quick Note

Enjoy your body as well as the music and the dance soon will flow into place. Dancing is meant to be fun and free. Although there is a great deal of stuff to think about while learning, remember to relax. You will be surprised at what your body is very capable of doing. I know, the more you think "relax", the stiffer you get...right? Well, when this happens take a deep breath and know that the body needs repetition and it will soon take the lead.

Insight - Heroes

To me, heroes are those who lift others, speak words of kindness or wisdom, promote PEACE and UNITY, laugh at themselves, brave storms, continue to smile, aren't too tough to cry, share their last bite, apologize, enjoy the simple things, truly appreciate the finer things, have the ability to move forward, deflect negativity, wear their heart on their sleeve, know who they are, ask for help, accept guidance or politely decline, treasure their family & friends, are kind to animals, respect Mother Nature, have humble hearts, are honest even when it may hurt, refrain from spite because they know better, educate patiently, seek growth and the strength to do so, accept others, dance like no one is watching, spend time on whatever it is their soul seeks without stepping on others along the way and anyone who can take a day in their life to make a positive impact on the world. Lastly, those who practice tolerance and can remember we are all equally human, designed with incredible facets and faults of perfect design created to make this world go round. - Allyson Lockhart

West Coast Swing - Intermediate (class on 3/4/09)

Grocery Shopping

*** What's On Your List? ***

Life is like going grocery shopping. Have you ever gone to the grocery store with out any idea of what is was you were going buy? Suddenly you find yourself wandering around the store aimlessly without any idea of what you're really doing there. Having a list creates a clear focus of what needs to be purchased and then it's in and out...done, mission accomplished.

Well, life can be that easy or that hard. Create a list of your life goals. Get focused and start directing all of your decisions with that goal in mind. Soon you'll find many missions accomplished without the struggle of wandering aimlessly about.

This also holds true for your dancing. Set goals & create a list! Shows, competitions and social gatherings are great motivators for getting serious about your dancing.

Sample List - You may submit this directly to me by clicking submit

Beginners Course - March 09

FoxTrot

1. Basic (Diagonal Wall 3x)
2. 1/4 Turn Left
3. Zig Zag
   

West Coast Swing - Intermediate

West Coast Swing - Intermediate Level (6 week series)

Hi Dancers,

Thank you for participating in my last West Coast Swing series. I had a blast and hope all of you did as well.

See you on the dance floor!

Beginners Course - March 09

East Coast Swing

1. Basic - Open
2. Basic - Closed
3. Basic - Rotating
4. Underarm Release
5. Inside UA Pass
6. Waist Roll
7. Overhead Wrap and Arm Slide
   

Viennese Waltz

1. Balance Steps
2. Left Cross Box
3. Link
4. Natural
5. Link
   

Samba Class

1. Basic
2. Box
3. Balancetes
4. Copa
5. Side Samba Walk
6. Voltas
   

Foot Positions

The foot positions are universal in any form of dance. Whether it is ballroom, rhythm, jazz or ballet these positions are the same.

Beginners Course

Tuesday Night Rumba

Box

• L - Forward, side, together, back, side, together
• F - Back, side, together, forward, side, together
  

Underarm Turn

• L - Forward, side, together, back (lift left arm to lead lady to an Underarm Turn), side, together (2x)
• F - Back, side, together, forward, start turn, walk, walk, walk, walk, forward, side, together.
  

5th Position Breaks

• L - 1/2 a box, side, back rock in 5th position, side, back rock in 5th position, side, back rock in 5th position (leading the lady to come back to dance position), box
• F - 1/2 a box, side, back rock in 5th position, side, back rock in 5th position, side, back rock in 5th position (swivel back in front of the lead), box

Rumba Walks

• L - Walk forward, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, side, together, walk back, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, side, together
• F- Walk back, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, side, together, walk forward, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, side, together

Open Break to Alternating Underarm Turns

• L - 1/2 a box, side, back rock (straight back), side, back rock in 5th position (leading follow to an Outside Pivot Turn), side, Pivot Turn to Right, side, back rock in 5th position (leading follow to an Outside Pivot Turn), side, back rock in 5th position (leading the lady to come back to dance position), box
• F - 1/2 a box, side, back rock (straight back), side, Pivot Turn to Right, side, back rock in 5th position, side, Pivot Turn to Right, side, back rock in 5th position (swivel back in front of the lead), box

Cross Box Lead & Inside Underarm Turn

• L - 1/2 box forward, 1/2 box back (rotating 1/4 turn), 1/2 box forward (rotating 1/4 turn/leading lady to inside UA Turn), side
  
• F- 1/2 box back, walk, walk, walk, walk/pivot, side, turn, side

Cross Over Breaks (aka New Yorkers in Latin)

• L - 1/2 a box, side, cross over & rock, side, cross over & rock, side, cross over & rock, side, walk around turn (to left), side, back rock in 5th position (leading the lady to come back to dance position), box
• F - 1/2 a box, side, cross over & rock, side, cross over & rock, side, cross over & rock, side, walk around turn (to right), side, back rock in 5th position, box

NOTE: The beginning of the Cross Over Breaks is the end of the Cross Box Lead (therefore, the 1/2 box side portion will have already been danced).


NOTES:

• The timing for the Rumba is Slow, Quick, Quick
• The ball of the foot is the first thing to hit the floor when moving forward and the last thing off the floor when moving backwards
  

Thursday Night Waltz

1. Box
   
2. Underarm Turn
   
3. 4 Point Hesitations
   
4. Progressive Basics
   
5. Rotating Box w/ UA Turn
6. Face to Face / Back to Back
7. Left Box Turn
8. Natural Turn
   

Thank you for joining. I hope you have fun dancing in my class and truly enjoy the pleasures that come from dancing. - LIVE, Laugh, DANCE