So a quick update since I took "The Switch" workshop in early August. I've continued to dance the follower role for most of the social dances that I go to for the past couple of months, and it's been a blast. There are some dances I've been to where I have mostly danced as a follow!
Frankly I'm embarrassed it took me this long to figure out how much fun dancing as a follow is. How are you going to do a thing for so long and ignore the other, really essential part of the dance? The picture above is from a crafting project I worked on SIX YEARS AGO to supporting dancing whatever role you were interested in. I'm just really slow, sometimes.
Some of the fun stuff I'm realizing:
- Letting go of the primary control of the dance is both scary and refreshing.
- Working on my listening skills is a fun challenge.
- Being more humble about my meager social dance skills is weird and nice.
- Trying to find little bits of the song to add my own accents, flourishes, and additions is really awesome.
- Experiencing different kinds of leading styles and responding to them is super hard.
- Switching roles elegantly and smoothly is so dope.
Basically, for now, every single damn dance I have as a follow is a revelation and a delight.
I'm so happy I finally am starting to figure out this other side of lindy hop. And grateful that I dance in a scene where this is welcomed and embraced, with lots of very understanding leaders.