Lesson Recap for Spring Workshops #1:

First Hour: Country 2-Step:
1) We learned the Basic Step in Country - constantly moving forward, the Man steps forward 4 steps (QQSS). Very important for him to stand tall with a very solid frame. The gal needs to stand very tall as well, keeping her body weight over the balls of her feet - but at the same time making sure that she keeps her back tight and taught into her partner's hand (on her back). If she loosens this connection, she won't be effective in controlling her own movements or balance. She needs to stay light on her feet (not heavy) to be able to react spontaneously to all of his movements & leads. She is going backward with 4 steps (QQSS).
** Remember - Man starts with his L foot, and girl w/her R.

2) Basic Step to 'prep' step: Same steps - but on the last S, the Man turns his frame to his L, which turns the gal slightly inward towards him. This is the 'prep' step.

3) Lady's Outside Turn: The Man continues to do the same steps forward (QQSS), but just before the first Q, he will raise his L hand & hold it over the top of her head (fingertips only) while she does 2 turning steps to her R. Girl - turning to her R, she steps forward on her R foot (now her back is to him); then still turning, she steps back (now facing him again) - so two 1/2 turns. Then she steps back, back on the 2 Slows.

4) Repeat step #2 - except this time the Man rotates his frame to his R, which causes the girl to turn in - but this time she is turning to her R.

5) Lady's Inside Turn: Really - the same as step #3, except that the girl is turning to her L on the first 2 Q's, and then back, back on the S's.

2nd Hour: - Swing:

1) Basic Step: A triple step to the L, a triple step to the R, and a back rock step (step back on L, forward on R). Lady's part is exact opposite, except that her rock step is back, forward as well. When in closed position (ie: he has his R hand on her back) they have to do this back rock step side by side, so they have to turn slightly towards each other (his R side by her L side).

2) Outside to Inside Turns: The Man raises his L hand after the rock step of the first pattern (palm to palm), as they both dance the 1st triple to the side. Then he raises his L hand more to allow her to go under. She does a sharp turn to her R (now her back is to him) & does her 2nd triple. He just does his 2nd triple on the spot (VIP that he doesn't travel 'away' from her). Then she does another sharp turn to her R (to face) & does her back rock step. Now, she does a sharp turn to her "L" (her back is to him again) & does a 1st triple, turns sharply to face him to do her 2nd triple, and they both do a back rock step (facing one another). **Note: it is the girl's option to do these sharp turns. She could just rotate on the turns without the 'sharpness'. Her option!

3) The Slip: With a 2-hand hold, the Man raises both arms & drops his R hand over and behind her head, and his L hand drops over and behind his own head. He then lets go with his L hand, also lets go with his R hand, but that hand stays in contact with her as he slides it down her arm till he "catches" her hand (now it is a 'handshake' hold). Same steps as in pattern #1. After he catches her hand, they both do a 'rock step'.

4) The Eggbeater: The man pulls his R hand in till the gal's back is facing him & he taps her on the back. He then swings his arm the other way so that she turns towards him - and he turns to his L so that his back is facing her, and she taps him on the back. Repeat both turns. Now, he turns her again so that he can tap her on the back, but then he pushes into her R hand & lets her do a free spin around (no hands) while he just does a triple step on the spot. Now, both facing, they do a rock step. ** All of these steps are triples until the very end (after the spin), and then the rock step.
** After she spins around, he picks up her R hand into his L.