Dance practices 3 & 4

I'm very proud of myself for keeping this practice streak going. My dancing is still awful, but instead of the usual let-down I get from dance practice, I'm loving it more and more.

Last night I practiced easy and slow because my muscles were so tired, but I got some good things done. I continued my jumping exercises and worked on rolls and back rallies. I can't depend on my feet to do what I want 100% of the time, but I've been pleasantly surprised at my muscle memory. After a few run-thrus of any maneuver, my legs remember how to work. My hip flexors are still very weak, which means my leaps are worse than a beginner's. My hamstrings also are very weak (five months of no hamstring work will do that), so I'll have to get them back to their normal level of strength before I can even begin to jump. Then I'll have to make them even stronger if I want to get height.

At least I know I can do it. I just have to keep this up.

Today I learned a treble jig step (or perhaps it's a lead?) and a slip jig step. My overall softshoe technique is still generally very good. I guess it just proves that I am more naturally a softshoe dancer than I am a hardshoe dancer. I think I'll have to spend more time on hardshoe practice than softshoe practice, just so my technique in both forms will end up looking like a champion-level dancer's.

The treble jig step is not that difficult, but my legs are so out of practice I can't comfortably do it up to speed yet. The slip jig step was easy, thank goodness. It's nice to do a pretty step well, a boost of my confidence. There are no leaps in it --- ha.

Also practiced double toes and double "over" toes. Normal double toes are looking better --- I need to fix how I do them. I have to take weight on the second toe of each set, not just "toe tap" it. In the "overs", I need to make sure the leg doing the "over" stays in turn out and close to my other leg. NO space between my legs!

Tomorrow, or at my next practice (hopefully tonight?), I'll have to work on the slip jig lead around, which is considerably more difficult. It has a leap and "running man/bicycle". Lots of practice will have to go into that one.

I need to get mom or someone to video me soon, too. I know I probably look awkward and I'm doing a lot of funny things when I turn and leap and throw--- contorting my body because it's not in shape yet.

Can't wait for January 1, when I can get back to the YMCA! Maybe I'll ask Debbi Dean to be my personal trainer for a while, just so I can get back into shape. I need help.