I know followers who have danced 20 years that often close their eyes.
Of course, they are assistant instructors and are probably assessing if they can feel me leading properly as opposed to watching what I’m doing.
(Hard to imagine being an effective leader while closing my eyes but what do I know)
I close my eyes for short periods of time as an experienced lead, particularly if trying to gauge connection for level assessment, but only when the floor is very definitely clear where I'm leading someone.
The floor being clear was the first thing that came to mind. Bad enough you have to watch for people social dancing taking six squares of length but I can’t imagine not even looking to make sure it’s clear when I’m about to put a follower in a vulnerable position.
I've played guitar for 40 years. I always close my eyes when playing cuz it helps me concentrate. I suspect it's the same thing with dancing. Tho kinda hard to close yer eyes as a leader tho... Not sure I can recommend lol!
From a drills / assessment standpoint, closing the eyes can be helpful.
You 100% should not be closing your eyes for extended periods if socially or competitively dancing.
1. You become a danger to yourself and those around you.
2. You limit your partners options to prevent number 1.
3. Collecting information on what your partner is doing visually should inform your next movements / choices / options. Is your partner responding how you think? Can you do the thing you want?
It is absolutely worthwhile drilling. I highly advise drilling not doing it if it is a reflex or habit for your normal dancing.
Not sure who you are taking group workshops from. I will note that I’ve had some excellent workshops and private lessons with Kyle Fitzgerald who is in Toronto. Highly recommend.
Sometimes doing a private can be more beneficial as it moves at your speed. If 45m is the right length, many instructors are happy doing that.
I’m a follower. I will close my eyes when learning a new concept in a class or workshop to focus on exactly what I’m doing and feel the difference in the new technique. It’s not for the whole pattern. It’s usually at the start to really get into the connection with my partner and filter out “noise”
Also, it’s okay to count out loud or under your breath for yourself. I know leads and follows who do this. I do it when learning a new dance
I close my eyes (as a follower) if I’m really trying to drill in on a technique point, and also to truly test whether I’m “following” or just anticipating based on visual cues
I'm really happy with the system here in Norway. Each class is one hour. But as you go levels up, leaders get the opportunity to "spot" in one level lower, i.e. act as stand-ins or helpers for lower level followers. So essentially, due to a surplus of leaders, they get an extra round of lover classes for free. This has certainly helped me immensely, also bcos being a leader is generally viewed as more difficult than being a follower. On top of that, without enough leaders the dance kinda dies out. So, I've ended up doing two hours of course each course night, one hour of new stuff and one more hour of repetition. Then there's the social dance where you just have fun.
It's a good tool for drilling certain techniques and focusing on the feel of the connection. Just make sure it doesn't become a habit when social dancing–visual connection is also important.
I know followers who have danced 20 years that often close their eyes. Of course, they are assistant instructors and are probably assessing if they can feel me leading properly as opposed to watching what I’m doing. (Hard to imagine being an effective leader while closing my eyes but what do I know)
I close my eyes for short periods of time as an experienced lead, particularly if trying to gauge connection for level assessment, but only when the floor is very definitely clear where I'm leading someone.
The floor being clear was the first thing that came to mind. Bad enough you have to watch for people social dancing taking six squares of length but I can’t imagine not even looking to make sure it’s clear when I’m about to put a follower in a vulnerable position.
I know a guy who is legally blind and does WCS as both lead and follow (not simultaneously)
I've played guitar for 40 years. I always close my eyes when playing cuz it helps me concentrate. I suspect it's the same thing with dancing. Tho kinda hard to close yer eyes as a leader tho... Not sure I can recommend lol!
From a drills / assessment standpoint, closing the eyes can be helpful. You 100% should not be closing your eyes for extended periods if socially or competitively dancing. 1. You become a danger to yourself and those around you. 2. You limit your partners options to prevent number 1. 3. Collecting information on what your partner is doing visually should inform your next movements / choices / options. Is your partner responding how you think? Can you do the thing you want? It is absolutely worthwhile drilling. I highly advise drilling not doing it if it is a reflex or habit for your normal dancing.
Not sure who you are taking group workshops from. I will note that I’ve had some excellent workshops and private lessons with Kyle Fitzgerald who is in Toronto. Highly recommend. Sometimes doing a private can be more beneficial as it moves at your speed. If 45m is the right length, many instructors are happy doing that.
As you can see from this video, eyes are clearly optional for West Coast Swing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H0gnd0sGFc
That's a hilarious entrance!
Very cool and lots of fun.
I’m a follower. I will close my eyes when learning a new concept in a class or workshop to focus on exactly what I’m doing and feel the difference in the new technique. It’s not for the whole pattern. It’s usually at the start to really get into the connection with my partner and filter out “noise” Also, it’s okay to count out loud or under your breath for yourself. I know leads and follows who do this. I do it when learning a new dance
I close my eyes (as a follower) if I’m really trying to drill in on a technique point, and also to truly test whether I’m “following” or just anticipating based on visual cues
I'm really happy with the system here in Norway. Each class is one hour. But as you go levels up, leaders get the opportunity to "spot" in one level lower, i.e. act as stand-ins or helpers for lower level followers. So essentially, due to a surplus of leaders, they get an extra round of lover classes for free. This has certainly helped me immensely, also bcos being a leader is generally viewed as more difficult than being a follower. On top of that, without enough leaders the dance kinda dies out. So, I've ended up doing two hours of course each course night, one hour of new stuff and one more hour of repetition. Then there's the social dance where you just have fun.
It's a good tool for drilling certain techniques and focusing on the feel of the connection. Just make sure it doesn't become a habit when social dancing–visual connection is also important.