I think I love the Lindy Hop.

I must admit that when I first tried the Lindy Hop, I wasn’t very good at it. This was in high school. I didn’t like it at all, actually, and I did it wrong.

But after getting going with swing again here again, I’ve become quite fond of the Lindy Hop.

I’ve discovered my weaknesses when it comes to the Lindy Hop. For one, I don’t like to turn too much; as a follow, I’ve got to turn a lot more than the guy has to, and that makes me rather dizzy. No wonder it’s best to figure out some neat turns and moves in-between.

But getting dizzy from turning too much has an easy fix. For me, what doesn’t have an easy fix are things like breaking frame and, subsequently, leaning out too far, thus creating a need of sorts to want to add an extra step, and screwing up that backstep to get into another turn or whatnot.

From what I understand, the basics of the Lindy Hop start with this: rockstep, triple step, one-two, triple step. The way I’ve learned Lindy Hop (which should result in turning 180 degrees), during the first triple step and the one-two, I’ve got to turn all the way around, and my lead is responsible for a lot of that. Well, when coming out of that and going into the next triple step, I tend to drop my shoulder. It’s tough because there’s a lot of force going outward there; drawing out and creating tension in my arm through dropping my shoulder is kind of an instinctual reaction. Instead I’ve got to focus on making sure my frame stays pointed at my partner and that I don’t angle myself away from him.

I think refining the basics is definitely going to make for a much better experience dancing. Before we got working on those fine details tonight, it was tough to get me out on the floor. Nathan really had to pull me out. I think we made some great strides tonight, and I’m sad that we’ll be skipping a week for spring break and whatnot. Hopefully I’ll remember what I need to work on to make my Lindy Hop perfect!

I used to swing dance. I had a lot of fun with it. I even got to the point of learning aerials (albeit a little early). I experienced some shoulder problems (from aerials attempts far too early) and just a lack of time to pursue more swing dancing, so I went back to my studying and didn’t attend any more classes.

I came up with this resolution after the Squirrel Nut Zippers show I attended with Ben, Mia, and Kerri Anne. I wanted to swing dance last summer, but that didn’t materialize — however, this is my chance.

This time, I’m really getting back into it. I’ve made calls about registering for classes and hope to do so within the week. And the classes start the day before my birthday, so it’s a bit of a birthday present to myself. Hopefully I’ll also meet some really great people and make some new friends. If this goes well, I’ll move up to the Boulder Swing Dance classes and cut a rug or two there. I’d like to get good at it and make it a habit; I don’t want to be saying, “I used to…” in the same way I say “I used to play hockey,” or “I used to play the violin.” Maybe hockey and the violin will occupy next year’s resolutions, but this year, it’s all about the lindy hop!