PfatToe Studio

Thanks to the folks who came out tonight for some Fox trotting fun. It was wonderful.

Today we start with Foxtrot. The Foxtrot is an easy, fun, smooth dance to learn. Smooth dances, which also include waltz, tango, and Viennese waltz, have an air of sophistication and finesse that you don't get with the rhythm dances. Your posture will definitely get a workout.

Like many ballroom dances, its historical roots are in early African American culture. Danced in the clubs in the early 1900s to ragtime music, it was scouted by a dance teacher named Betty Lee and her husband Vernon Castle who danced it in their shows. However, the Foxtrot didn't take on much notoriety until Harry Foxtrot, a vaudeville performer, popularized the dance through performances at the New York Theater.

If you are reading this post you have probably watched a video or two on a particular type of ballroom dance. I posted one about Foxtrot recently. I think the most interesting videos on a particular dance feature dance routines rather than dancers engaged in social dancing.

If you are watching a competition, say a Carolina S**g competition, you might think you are watching social dancing at its best. But you aren't, you are watching routine snippets---highly choreographed dance steps that are practiced to perfection.

I bring this up because choreographed dances can mislead you about the way the dance is done or the types of movements that you will do when learning the dance. I see this a lot with Bachata where it looks more like a salsa rather than a social Bachata or even the Foxtrot video I posted earlier where the steps look more like a waltz.

You might think that the lead does a lot more dancing of the embellished steps in a particular dance when really, there are choreographed steps for the lead to do which the partner understands and compliments. If these steps were performed at a social dance, your partner would probably just stare blankly at you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZncYHaX_dw

Johan and Kari National Bachata Championships 2010 Johan and Kari competing at the National Bachata Championships. This routine was performed to Solo y Sin Amor.

Ladies, you should look to investing in some dance shoes now. A good dance shoe is one that your foot feels good in, has a low wider heel, and a suede surface. The shoe should be an extension of your foot, not a platform upon which your foot sits. Think of the difference between a crown wobbling on your head versus a sock cap pulled snugly over your head.

Make sure the shoe's upper really hugs your foot like a glove. If the shoe rocks back and forth on your foot, then you need more support to keep the bottom of your foot solidly in your shoe. This kind of support can come from additional straps. You don't want that shoe rolling sideways under your foot.

I like lots of cushioning and support in the shoe, which is why my regular dance shoes look very orthopedic and closed toe. It also gives a bit more protection from getting your foot stepped on which happens from time to time.

https://www.danceshoesstore.com/

Ballroom Dance Shoes, Salsa Shoes & Dancewear: Dance Shoes Store

November is all about the Foxtrot. This is a slow, smooth, progressive dance in ballroom. Easy to learn and fun to do. I think its fun because of the music and the ambiance. Think big band sounds and singers like Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr., and Ella Fitzgerald. Here is an example from the real pros.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjtQW7HE6iM

Fly me to the moon (Frank Sinatra) - Asia i Janek, Wedding Dance Routine www.blackpool.pl Zapraszamy na lekcje tańca we Wrocławiu! :)

It's Halloween which means its time for the adults to dress up and have fun. You've been giving candy to the kids, putting up with folks at the office pawning their candy corn, and nodding approvingly at your neighbors lawn decorations. Now its time for you. So come on out to the studio tonight and do some dancing. It's going to be a party at PfatToe Studio tonight from 6:30-7:30 inside Fit Time for Women.

Too old to trick or treat? Who cares! Come join me Halloween night, October 31, for some Scary Swing. Dress up in your favorite costume and dance away the ghosts that haunt your spirit. I'll be there waiting for Major Nelson.

Thank you to the folks who came out tonight to share and learn swing. We had a blast and so sorry Tom Hampton for the locked door. If I had realized someone locked it, I would have been out there opening it up. I'm not sure why folks are afraid for us just because it gets dark. I keep telling everyone that any unwanted guest is mine to keep.

It's time to Swing again! Hope to see you at PfatToe studio tonight from 6:30-7:30 PM at Fit Time for Women in the Dance room. Yes men are welcome!

We will continue to work on swing. Only a couple more steps to add, and then we will review the material over the following week. Keep on drilling it down on your own time so everyone feels comfortable doing it.

If you are new to the group or would like to come in and check out dancing with us, then please feel free to do so. See me about a free lesson. I seek to make the price affordable without contracts and build a group of Frankfort folks who love to dance and can share that joy with each other and with newcomers.

Yesterday in Zumba class, I went over an exercise to help one learn to spin. Spins are hard because you really don't have anyone else helping you to balance. I find this exercise to be helpful. Give it a try and watch your ability to spin grow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjKiAMvFWRw&t=570s

🌪How to Improve Your Spins ★ Spins Drill - Dance Practice ★ Beginners- Advanced ★ #MBCspins ► Practice with this dance spins tutorial to improve your spins and spin dance technique. Important for Beginners & Advanced and relevant for spins in salsa,...

I just want to thank everyone who came out for swing class last night. It is such a pleasure and honor to work with all of you. You are learning material that is difficult, but we can use the next weeks to practice it and get everyone feeling comfortable. By the way, having been in group classes like the one I am teaching, I can tell you straight off that you are learning as fast, if not faster than what I have seen elsewhere.

Also, shout out to Linda and Michelle for giving the lead a try. I could see from Linda's face that she faced the realization of what the leads have to deal with during the dance. From the outside, it seems like the followers do all the hard work, but that isn't the case. It's just that their jobs are very different.

Like yourselves, I am in learning mode because I have danced, but not taught partnered dancing. So, I will make mistakes from time to time, perhaps frequently at first. Please give me feedback on what I am doing correctly and what gives you pause of difficulty. Message me, talk to me after class, and post in this forum. Your input makes me better.

Thursdays are always my favorite day because we get to do some swing dancing. So I hope to see you this evening at 6:30-7:30 at Fit Time for Women's dance room. Today we will do a couple of new steps: a Lindy-based sugar push (which means it is using a Lindy step on an 8-count) and a Walk Back with some steppin. Last Thursday we added chicken walks, basic underarm turn and a cuddle. Next week we will start adding some spins. Spins make things a little bit more exciting and sometimes "bizzaro" too. Relax guys, it is usually the dolls who do the spinning. By the end of the month, everyone will have enough content to be able to dance with a partner and not run out of fun things to do to make the dance interesting.

If you saw the video from last week, the level of ability ramped-up after internalizing the first lesson, and folks were able to truly dance with their partner. It's always a bit difficult the very first time because you are taking in so much information from class structure, how to dance with a partner, and how to do a couple of basic steps. So find that optimistic place inside of you and come on out and dance. And if you want to come for the first time, don't worry, we review material before adding on new stuff. Everyone can start even if others are a bit ahead of you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbquAPQelE

Check out these outside swivels appropriately named "chicken walks!" Now don't fret because this is social dancing. Folks been chicken walking long before professional ballroom dancers co-opted the moves from the Savoy ballroom dance floor.

Intermediate Jive - Chicken Walks & Sugar Push

See everyone tonight at class. We will continue with East Coast Swing. Fit Time for Women, dance room at 6:30-7:30 PM.

Following Gracefully:

Currently, the class is dominated by established romantic partners. Actually that is unusual. Most group classes that I have been in are a myriad of different singles. My dance teacher/partner Bobby D warned me that a lot of marriage therapists will recommend to their clients to take ballroom dancing. Why? It's because you can learn a lot about yourselves in relationships; but, I don't think this revelation is only for romantic partners.

One lead tells his partner, "you must stop leading" to which she replies "well you have to do it right!" Another couple broke apart and asked me to dance with each of them separately. Both husband and wife asserted that the other had no clue what they were doing. After dancing with them both the verdict was clear: they were both right. :-) It was the first day of classes, and that was to be expected.

On the other side of the room, a strong mother was learning a similar, yet different, lesson. She has been the strong leader for her son for all of his life. How can she let go now and simply follow his steps? What if he messes up? Can I catch him if he falls? From his perspective, how after following mom's lead in life for so long can he stand up as a man and say "mom follow me." She is his world; he is her "baby."

Both are examples of bigger existential questions that require a little introspection on everyone's part to figure out how we relate to "others." The "other" is that half of that equation could represent many things: love, dominance, respect, control, value, ineptitude, adoration, rejection, disappointment, ridicule, appreciation. Add to that situation, established couples will handle their disputes, including those involving dance, in prototypical ways that are more akin to a tug-o-war over control and dominance.

Followers: gracefully following is something you are learning, a discipline. It is just as hard to follow gracefully as it is to lead gracefully. And, we all know the leader sometimes is not prepared and does it all wrong and without grace.

So who teaches the leader how to lead gracefully? As in any relationship, the follow teaches the leader. That is why your role is so important. In fact, your lead should have many opportunities to lead with others. Nothing is so revealing as
a leader suddenly trying to guide a different person, one who has no personal relationship with him or her. Followers, your role takes patience, persistence, and perhaps some stepped on toes. Eventually the lead will have the "a ha" moment and seeing the lead take on that role gracefully will be worth it.

OOh la la! She's holding his hand!!! Well clutch my pearls and call me a defibrillator.

One thing you learn pretty quick when you start dancing with a partner is that you do a lot of hand holding, and its not just your partner's hands either. You hold everyone's hands. One gal used to bring her therapy puppy with her. We all took turns holding it and its paw while she danced.

Sometimes your not even dancing and still holding hands. I was partnering with an instructor in a group class. He forgot we were still holding hands and began gesticulating with the held hand invariably taking my own up into the action. Another young man I dance with has Downs Syndrome, and after we dance I hold his hand and sit with him a bit while he puts on his headphones and eats some celery. My partner and I will choreograph romantic dances that appear sensual or intimate even s*xy; but we are performing, acting and oftentimes telling each other fart jokes during those moments.


So what does it mean to be dancing with and holding hands with someone else's partner, perhaps life-partner, romantic-partner, someone of the same s*x, perhaps their son or daughter? The answer is "it means nothing, absolutely nothing." Marriage isn't catchy; and, gender-identity and s*xual preference isn't either. So, holding hands and dancing with someone else partner is simply the opportunity to learn how other people lead and follow. It is your opportunity to dance and learn about yourselves. That's it and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. So don't be afraid to switch partners and don't be afraid of someone else's hand. It's swing dancing, not swinging.

So take a deep breath everyone. We will commence again tomorrow dancing, holding hands, and having fun.

FAKE YOUR FEET

Watch professional dancers, and it seems like they are so light, and they move those feet a thousand miles a minute. You try the same step, and it feels like you have bricks tied to your feet. The movements look heavy, and the timing is too slow. Feeling desolate, too old, and like you have a big PFAT feet!

Don't despair. There are tricks about movement. This is social dancing. Everyone can do it but if you need a trick or fix, there are ways to do it so you keep time but move less.

You can mimic movements by just lifting your heels and bending the other foot while not even picking the foot up at all. This is real important in swings and jives where you are doing triple steps in place rather than using the triples to travel to a different location.

First, keep your actual steps super small and tight. Remember the first movement of that triple is a fake step. What is a fake step? Gentlemen it's like when you are wearing shoes to church that are too small, and you take that step on your left foot, and sort of wince and pick the foot up. Same for you ladies. You know when you have on heels, and you have a blister on that right foot so you start walking like a left-foot favoring Tennessee Walking horse. You start picking up the right foot super fast.

Put another way, the first step isn't a full step. It's a fake. You are doing a slight weight change with some lean in the upper body. The second step is then a side movement. So give that movement a try: fake and step, fake and step, rock-step.

Second, fake the Rock Step too. Once again, you can place the foot back on the rock step, but just lift the heel of that back foot rather than lifting the entire foot. That will keep your feet closer together, your whole body from doing a big rock back, and your upright body carriage intact.

Third, invest in some cheap lightweight sneakers or shoes. They have cheap sneakers at Walmart and Dollar Store. If your shoes have real weight in the sole and the heel, then its like putting a paperweight on your foot. It's going to be hard to pick it up no matter what you do.

Fourth, sink a bit in your hips and knees. When your knees are slightly bent, and your hips are slightly open by having your feet spread a bit apart (not too wide) you will be able to move those legs more easily. Take a moment before dancing and do some side and forward bends. Loosen up your waist. Roll your butt in a big wide circle which loosens up the attachments from your hamstring s and quads to the lower part of your hip and sacrum.

Day 1 of Group Classes! I'm so excited to open this class this evening and be able to share a love of simple, relate-able fun with my old and new friends. I know everyone is going to catch on real fast and be able to enjoy this new recreational outlet. What I'm really looking forward to is getting to dance with a crazy cat like Tom Hampton who I suspect will be really good at doing this!
Parking: Good! There is plenty of parking in front of the gym and most of the ladies will have already exited for the day.
Hospitality: The ladies bathroom will be co-ed during the class. So that means everyone has to have a higher sense of decorum because even the most innocent of mistakes can occur. That means if you are un******ng in the locker room, please pull the curtain rather than undress in the open.
Remittance: Try to take care of that with front desk staff when you come in so we can begin class on time. I will have a sign up sheet in the room that will be for the convenience of getting everyone's name and email for communication purposes.
Attire: Clean, comfortable for both genders. Low heeled, flat shoes or sneakers for ladies and pretty much same for gents.
Hands: Yes we hold hands. You will get a lot of hand holding from everyone. It's nothing personal, but if you feel funky there is hand sanitizer in the room. I tend to wash my hands more frequently when passing hands from one person to another. It's just good hygiene.
Learning: Most everyone picks up movement real quick. I'm going to give us segments so you can meld movements together and get dancing with each other real quick. Now some folks are a bit wooden in their feet and body. That's ok. Everything loosens up over time, and I can help with some instruction for loosening up those feet and hips that will help make your movements look smooth and fabulous.

During October, we will Iearn swing, east coast swing specifically. These different dances will be approached in units. I will use all of October for a unit of ECS, which I think will take 4 classes. Units are a practical approach because you can't learn everything in a single night. To keep things interesting, I will switch to another type of rhythm dance the following month. So please let me know what you would like to learn next: rumba, salsa, or hustle. Salsa is fast, flirty, and a little s*xy, s*xy. Rumba, another latin dance is slow and languid. Hustle is fun and a great party favorite.

Classes start next week.
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Location: Fit Time for Women, dance room
Register: at Fit Time
Wear: Comfortable clothing and non marking, comfortable shoes. No spikey heels ladies.
Restroom will be unis*x. So everyone please be aware and respectful.

In ballroom dancing, who leads and who follows? Our stereotypical expectations are that a man leads, and the female is the follower; but, these stereotypes just don't add up to the way life actually works. So, I don't think it should dictate who leads and follows in ballroom dancing. My answer is the one that leads is the one better suited to taking the role of directing the dance, and the follower is the one better suited to responding to subtle cues with alacrity. Like life, those aspects of personality and responsiveness are not gendered.

So if you are coming to dance as a couple and you both think the lady would make a better lead, then don't be afraid to jump into the different role. If you are a lady whose partner doesn't want to join you, then bring a girlfriend and each of you determine which role you would like to learn first. Learn both and then switch roles. Normally I am a follower, which I like because I like doing all the footwork. It pushes me as a dancer, but I have also lead many a dance with individuals who for one reason or another could not lead.

It isn't true that gendered roles have always been the rule. My mother and her friends oftentimes danced with each other as kids and young adults. Can you think of a time when a 10 or 12 year old girl is going to find a man to dance with other than a brother or cousin? And, at that age brothers and sisters would me more likely to fight than dance.

Then there are real life considerations. What is one person has anxiety and can't handle the role of leader? What is one person is differently gifted intellectually? What if one person is ADD and can't respond well to subtle cues or doesn't like being the center of attention? In these instances, it is just like the division of duties for a couple. The one who handles finances is the one better at it, and the one who handles the kids is the one with the most patience.

So, when you are trying to figure out which role you would like to learn, just think about which role you are best suited to: lead or follow. It actually is best, as in life, to learn both. We should all be good leaders and good followers. The lead has the job of keeping time, directing what comes next in the dance, giving the follower the correct cue, and making the follower look fantastic. The follower has the role of responding to the cues, responding to the time even if the time is off (yep that's real life), knowing the figures, being able to be the center of attention, and making the lead look good. It truly is a partnership, and it doesn't happen spontaneously.

Here is an East Coast Swing. It is the First Dance we will work on in group because it is easier to learn and you get a feel for the basics. Just don't bring your cowboy boots.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHHXtI2GBw

East Coast Swing Pro-Am Open Intermediate Chris and Devorah - 2012 UCWDC World Championships Chris Matsuno dancing East Coast Swing with Devorah Pashev in Male Pro-Am Open Intermediate at 2012 UCWDC World Championships

Now these folks are Swingers!!!! Give everyone a taste of swing dancing. Of course we are watching some of the best of the best, but this dancing is for everyone.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G99dQ2cTjg

Camp Hollywood 2019: Advanced Mix & Match Final Spotlights Taken at Camp Hollywood and the National Jitterbug Championships over Labor Day Weekend. Visit www.camphollywood.net for more information. Video by Brett Dah...

Purchased some adhesive suede pads to place on shoes and make them suitable for dancing. I'll let you know how they work out and if they are worth the trouble of using.
https://www.amazon.com/high-Heeled-Industrial-Strength-Adhesive-Backing-Favorite/dp/B072N9TGFK/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_200_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=5WHYMSC9EQARZM81ZG5V

Stick-on Suede Soles for high-Heeled Shoes, with Industrial-Strength Adhesive Backing. Resole Old Dance Shoes or Convert Your Favorite Heels to Perfect Dance Shoes. [SUEDE-LA-black-r03] This product is designed to be attached to ladies' shoes with high heels. You can use it to turn your favorite pair of high heels into dance shoes or to replace the worn-out suede soles of your existing dance shoes. Stick-on suede soles from Soles2dance provide ideal friction properties for danci...

Now you do not need special shoes for swing. But you may still want to purchase a dance shoe that you can use now and later. Before you purchase dance shoes try some on first. Dance shoe stores have a very strict return policy. Basically if you buy it, its yours forever. So try to figure out what you need before you buy and don't waste your hard earned dollars.

You can find ballroom dance shoes in Lexington, KY. I recommend Dance Biz, which is located just off Nicholasville Rd near the intersection with New Circle.

The fit on dance shoes is different than with your regular shoes. They are generally purchased a size or two smaller, but try some on to be sure of the fit for you. Our feet can be wide and narrow in various places which may necessitate a variation in size.

I wear a 9.5 in a standard shoe (hence the name PfatToe) and an 8 in dance shoes. Also, because I have a very high arch and narrow ankles, I also use clear bands which make the shoe hug the foot.

It is important that the shoe doesn't wobble around on your foot, and that the shoe doesn't chaffe. Thin socks, hosiery, and moleskin are a dancer's best friends. Ladies lots of bands around the foot on the shoe are essential, especially in Latin dance shoes. I put some examples below. Leather straps often dig into the foot and do not give as the foot swells after dancing. Opt for satin straps. You will be surprised how much better multiple satin straps across the foot feel rather than one big swatch of fabric.

So if you are unsure of your size, go try some on before buying online. Dance biz has a small selection of both standard and rhythm shoes. Ladies, for everyday dancing in class, go with a lower, wider heel as shown in the first and third images. That will give you stability because the foot and ankle gets tired after a partner has been whipping you around. It takes time to build up those footsies to be able to control dancing on a heel. In the meantime, get those feet stronger by rising up on the forefoot. Start slow with only a few repetitions, and build up slowly. Stand near a counter or use a high back chair to maintain your stability.
Heck I practice this in my office in between writing bills.
https://dancebiz.net/products/