lindyhopr

I’m starting to get the feeling that I take lessons from particular teachers too early. Skye & Frida were in town last year, and they taught an amazing set of moves from solo Charleston to stylized Lindy Hop stuff. At the time, I wasn’t as passionate about the dance as I currently am, though I already idolized the two of them as my swing heroes. Since that class, I’ve retained one move (a nice sweeping catch on a held fifth count in the middle of a swing out). Just the one.

Thomas & Alice were in town for Gypsy Jam about a month or two ago, and they ran a particularly amazing workshop session. By this point, I was finally studying Lindy Hop technique like a mofo, and I can honestly say that I’ve retained much more from their lessons than I did with Skye & Frida—not because they were better teachers (they had French accents the whole time! French! I never understand the French!), but because I just so happened to be slightly more prepared.

But I also realized how much more I would’ve gotten out of that class had I had the private lesson with Dax & Sarah beforehand, who helped me work on connection, pulse, and momentum.

And now? My girlfriend just helped me work through the difference between “pulse” and “bounce.” Had I had that simple understanding before Dax & Sarah’s lesson, I would’ve been even better.

Adam & Elaine, the winning couple from the Yehoodi.com 12th Anniversary Strictly Lindy competition, are starting up a new workshop series in NYC for beginners and intermediates. They both say I’m well past that intermediate phase, but really, it doesn’t hurt to go back and swing a few rungs below where you think you are on the dancing ladder. Their intermediate classes are aimed specifically at connection. With everything I’ve learned and am still learning even now, I really should just go ahead and get back to working on my intermediate techniques.

After all, one philosophy I’ve picked up is this: The only time wasted is time spent not learning.