Further Practices

1. Circle of thirds

This is a great exercise for developing control over the shape of your circle. The “change of place” practice tends to linearise patterns, so partnership movements based on them are more elliptical than circular. To produce a circular movement, we base the pattern on thirds of a circle instead.

Preparation
The circle of thirds can be performed solo or partnered. If the latter, set up with standard partnered offset in close hold.

Description

1. Merengue on the spot in phase.
2. Rotate clockwise through one third (120°) of the circle and pause.
3. Rotate clockwise through another one third (120°) of the circle and pause.
4. Rotate anti-clockwise through one third (120°) of the circle and pause.
5. Perform stages 1-4 twice more (for a total of three iterations) to return to your original position.
6. Perform one complete (360°) orbit clockwise.

Each third and the final full turn should be danced to one bar of music.
 

Notes
After you're comfortable with the exercise, focus on the aspect of “creating space” for your partner.

You can combine stages 2 and 3 together to make a single two-thirds orbit (240°) instead.

Try the practice in the opposite direction as well.
 

2. Wheels within wheels (Turns in Orbit)

Orbiting in a given direction renders some turns easier and others more challenging. With this in mind, investigate the effect orbits have on HALO™ and Neutral turns.

For example:

• why are anti-clockwise HALO™ turns for Followers easier in clockwise orbits than in anti-clockwise orbits?
• as a Lead, how does your choice of orbit and turn direction influence the overall dance experience of the Follower?
• as a Follower, how can you recognise and compensate for awkwardly matched turns and orbits?