Hello,

Yesterday my teacher left the studio, so he asked me to take over for him while he was away.  I taught the two kids classes.  I believe the kids enjoyed a different opinion on things, or just a different method of teaching in general.  The thing I was afraid of was that the kids might start talking too much/loudly, but they were very quiet compared to usual, so I was thankful for their co-operation.

We worked on Foxtrot and Samba in the Teen's class, and we worked on the Foxtrot and Waltz in the little kids class.  I was surprised at how well the little ones paid attention.

I believe the best way to get children to pay attention during some class is to give them as much respect as you would to a grown up.  I find it silly when people think children won't listen to them, when they themselves won't listen to the children.  YOU are the adult, YOU must set the example, not the other way around.  When they talk, listen to them, don't try to talk to them in some dumbed down language.  If they are very intelligent, you don't even need to use simplified terms.  Talk to them almost as if they were a fully grown adult.

Respect.  It is important.  Do not expect to be given any if you give none.

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

Hello,

Tonight at the studio we did some Foxtrot and some Waltz.  It is very frustrating to dance with women who think it is their job to rest on you.  I don't really understand why it is so difficult to see that you are resting on your partner, but of course, I didn't tell them, when I probably should have.

Just so you know ladies, just because you are on top of the man's arm, this doesn't give you the right to rest on him.  I used to dance with a girl who would rest on me a lot, and she would blame me for putting my arm down.  Of course, being myself, I liked to blame all the problems on myself, and I always tried to fix the problem, but it turns out it was entirely not my fault.

So guys, don't be afraid to let your partner know she is leaning on you, and ladies, don't be afraid to let the guys know if they are putting their arms down.  Never yell at your partner, it is counterproductive.  Instead, voice your opinions, and fix the problem together.  Never blame your partner entirely for something which went wrong, it often turns out to be your fault in the end, so it will just save you a bunch of hassle.

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

Hello all,

Well, today I had a semi-private class with my parents and another couple.  It was fun.  I like to work on technique a lot, so I don't like group classes as much.  I also have a quieter voice, so it's also difficult for me to teach group classes because of that.  Anyways, we got a bit of technique in the Waltz and the Samba down.  The Whisk was a larger problem.  The man must have both his feet pointing diagonal wall, while the lady must have both her feet pointing diagonal center when they open for promenade.

Some of them were pointing their legs in two directions, so it made the step work wrong.  But I fixed it, so now it works like it should.

This week I have also been dancing in my new pair of Ballroom Dance shoes.  It is SO nice to not slip and slide everywhere.  Now I have so much more control over my feet.

That has been my week.  If I didn't say already, I found a partner for one of my young students, (actually, she used to be my only student) and they are coming along well.

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

No Dancing Today

No dancing on the weekends as usual.  But there is something interesting which I forgot to mention.

I got a new pair of dance shoes two days ago.  I haven't tried them on the floor yet.  It's going to be so nice to have suede on the bottom of my shoes again.  You see, the heels on my current pair of shoes are wearing out.  My teacher was getting angry because I was making black marks on the floor due to the lack of suede on the back area of the heel, so I had to get a new pair.  I was trying to get a little bit more time out of these shoes.  Dance shoes are expensive!!  And there is no reason why they have to be that expensive ($80 - $200) either.  It's insane!  If someone started a company selling Ballroom shoes for maybe $25 - $50, they would make a killing!

Those are my thoughts on the insane cost of Ballroom shoes.

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

A New Month

Hello,

Sorry I've been slacking off on my posts.  I haven't had much time the past two days to write anything really.

On Friday my partner and I worked on our frame again.  I am having a little trouble with keeping my right shoulder down.  We spent like a whole hour so I could find out how I could fix it.  I decided that I  just have to keep my shoulder in the position to get myself used to it, and that there is no easy fix.

So our first extra practice is actually this coming Tuesday.  Now we can get better at dancing!

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

My thoughts on yesterday (September 28)

Yesterday I went to the studio again.  I don't know why I have to say this, because I have already said I go to dance every weeknight, but whatever, I just feel like it.(Plus it provides more easy writing material...)

So, my partner and I had a class and practice today.  Essentially all we worked on was our frame.  It's been going well, but I have been having trouble with my right shoulder.  I am having difficulty keep it down while I dance.  I start with it down, but as I dance, it slowly rises, and it causes a very bad and broken line to our frame.  And the worst part?  For the life of me I cannot feel when I am doing this, so that makes it ten times harder to fix!

We also worked on some Waltz stuff.  On the Weave I guess I wasn't going down enough on one step, so it kind of messed up the look of the whole thing.  On the Underturn Outside Spin I have to remember not to shorten it when I am going into the turn.  On the Chasse's, I have to make the rise go through all the steps of the chasse, instead of reaching the full height on the first step.  I also have to make more shape or "sway" on the Wing.  Arg, there is so much to focus on!!!!

Lots of stuff to work on all right, at least we will have more practices soon.

This coming week though, my partner will be having family over at her house, so we won't be able to start these new practices quite yet.  The week afterward though, I believe we will finally be able to get more practice time.

Oh yeah, and yesterday was the first time I drove to the studio by myself.  I think I said so already, but I got my license on Tuesday.  So happy!  Maybe I can make it easier on my partner's family and drive her to and from the studio if they can't make it on a certain day.

Well, that is my life,

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

September 27(A bit Late)

So today I got my license.  So now I can FINALLY drive myself to and from dance.  Yay!

A lady from the studio took me out for a little ice cream to celebrate with me.

At the studio there were two new students, and they were both men.  This is good because yesterday the four new students were all women!  It's always nice when there are an even number of men and women in the class, but it rarely happens, especially when my teacher has no contracts of any kind to make sure people come every week.

I myself do not know if contracts scare people away, but I DO know they make life easier.  You don't have to worry about this person coming one day, and payment, and if they paid you, or if they didn't.  It's just such a pain.  Advanced payments really make things easier.

 Well, those are my thoughts today,

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor