| POWER AND CONTROL WITH TURNS. | | | | keep your feet side by side and turn one-half turn at |
| The same three factors at work in maintaining power | | | | a time. You'll use the outside column to provide the |
| and control on the dance floor for linear movements, | | | | power and the inside column to provide the control. |
| which we discussed in our previous issue, also applies | | | | - Stand straight on your left leg and point the right |
| to turning movements: | | | | leg to your side. Stretch both arms outwards to each |
| | | | side. Picture a stationary pole on your right side and |
| 1. Balance | | | | hold onto it with your right hand. |
| 2. Source of power | | | | - Start turning to the right by transferring weight to |
| 3. Control | | | | your right leg and column and swinging your left arm |
| BALANCE | | | | and column around to provide power for your turn |
| As indicated in our previous issue, the essence of | | | | (keep your right column straight and your right hand |
| good balance stands on the premise of maintaining | | | | holding onto the pole). |
| both a good straight vertical axis (where the spine is | | | | - During the middle of your turn (one-half turn to the |
| straight), and a good parallel alignment of the hips and | | | | right), take hold of the pole with your left hand as |
| shoulders with the dance floor. It also requires an | | | | you start transferring weight onto your left leg and |
| awareness of your supporting leg and body column. | | | | column (at this point you are facing the pole with |
| SOURCE OF POWER AND SOURCE OF CONTROL | | | | feet side by side, weight centered between your |
| It is helpful to understand that in any turn there is an | | | | feet and both hands holding onto the pole). |
| inside column and there is an outside column. For | | | | - Continue your right turn by transferring the weight |
| instance if you are turning right, your left column will | | | | onto your left leg and releasing your right hand from |
| be the outside column (it is further from the center | | | | the pole. Keeping your left hand holding onto the |
| of the turn), and the right column will be the inside | | | | pole, let the right arm stretch slowly outwards to the |
| column (it is closer to the center of the turn). | | | | right as you transfer your weight to your right leg |
| Depending on the type of turn you are doing, the | | | | and complete the second half of your right turn. |
| source of power and the source of control will | | | | - You are now standing straight on your right leg |
| change: | | | | with your left leg pointing outwards towards the left. |
| - Pivoting Actions. If you are doing pivoting actions | | | | Your arms are stretched outwards with the left hand |
| where the body travels, your source of power for | | | | holding onto the pole. You are facing the same |
| the turn will be the outside arm and column, and the | | | | direction as when you started. |
| source of control will be the inside column. Eg. You will | | | | You can repeat the same process turning to the left. |
| swing your outside arm and column in a circling action | | | | As you get more comfortable allow the turn to be |
| towards the direction you wish to turn, while keeping | | | | more continuous. Make sure your balance is on the |
| the inside column still to absorb the power of the | | | | ball of the turning (supporting) foot during the turns. |
| turn (make sure, however, the foot of your | | | | The more you do this exercise, you will notice that |
| supporting inside column rotates with the turn). | | | | you can put as much power as you want with your |
| - Spinning Actions. If you are doing spinning actions | | | | outside arm and column because your inside arm and |
| where the body turns in place, your inside column will | | | | column will absorb the momentum in the middle of |
| provide the power, and the outside column will | | | | the turn and allow you to complete the second half |
| provide the control. Eg. You will pull back the inside | | | | of the turn with ease and control. |
| shoulder and column to initiate the turn while dragging | | | | Mastering power and control in turns is a matter of |
| the outside leg and column to provide control for the | | | | maintaining your supporting leg and body column |
| turn. | | | | straight, and being aware of which body column is |
| THREE COUNT TURN EXERCISE | | | | giving you the power, and which one is giving you |
| This is a good exercise to experience the use of | | | | the control. And like, any other skill you want to |
| your columns for power and control. Basically, you'll | | | | master, you will need to practice. |