what does your closed position say about you?
Tango Confidential, Marcy Goldman
This weekend I had a chance to hit up the Salsa and Swing dance down at the Elk’s lodge in Raleigh hosted by MAD academy. There was a beginner Salsa lesson before the actual social, and whenever possible, we join in on the lessons in order to refresh our “beginner’s mind” and hopefully walk away with some new perspective.
During the lesson, girls and guys face each other in two long lines, with the guys rotating to the next partner every few minutes or so.
Feeling so many different embraces instantly reminded me that you can feel pretty much everything about your partner simply by their embrace. It speaks volumes. Without even dancing, and before even taking a step, keep in mind that everything about you is transmitted in this closed position.
What does your closed embrace say to your partner?
“I’m nervous as hell, and that’s why im pushing down so hard.”
“I really don’t want to get close so I am creating a huge awkward bow between us.”
“Damn you are hot, so I am going to scoot in as close as possible.”
“I’m off in space somewhere and that’s why my arms are so limp.”
“I am a little nervous the words ‘position’ and ‘woman’ so that’s why I am squeezing your right hand so hard.”
Think about this next time you start your dance in the closed embrace. What do you want to say to your partner through the manner in which you hold them?
Leads: “I’m relaxed, and I know what I am doing. You can go ahead and relax too.”
Follows: “I am in a state of relaxed alertness. Whatever you throw at me, I am ready and willing to follow.”
The best things in dance go unsaid and are completely invisible to the eye. But make sure you are fully aware of all the little whispers going on between you and your partner’s body.
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