The Irish Jig: or how I found muscles I didn't even know I had ...
I am in a jig rehab class which meets on Monday at 6pm before my other two Highland classes. I've completely forgotten the dance and am competing in it at the end of July at the Enumclaw games. AHH!
This week was my first class. We worked really hard and I'm getting much better. My shuffles are actually hitting the ground most of the time on my right foot and at least a little on the left foot. My left foot is definetly the slower of my feet.
I've gotten some helpful feedback about my jig problems from the members of dance.net (a really good community of dancers who are most helful). I think part of my problem is that I'm too dainty in the jig. I need to be more stompy/angry. Also, one teacher explained to me that shuffles come from the knee instead of just flopping the foot out, which would explain why I have so much trouble with my left side (due to various knee injuries).
After roughly three hours of dance, I was so sore I could barely walk. I've been treating myself with ibuprofin and icey-hot and am still really sore! I also bruised the heck out of my legs. The jig shoes are hard with a brass heel and tap things on the front. I look like I've been in some sort of strange kicking fight or something. ANd now that the weather's nice, my legs look terrible in shorts/skirts.
But, the good news is that I'm making some progress. I should be able to not kill myself totally when it comes time for competion, or hurt other people, or make a complete fool of myself. Hopefully next week will get easier.
This week was my first class. We worked really hard and I'm getting much better. My shuffles are actually hitting the ground most of the time on my right foot and at least a little on the left foot. My left foot is definetly the slower of my feet.
I've gotten some helpful feedback about my jig problems from the members of dance.net (a really good community of dancers who are most helful). I think part of my problem is that I'm too dainty in the jig. I need to be more stompy/angry. Also, one teacher explained to me that shuffles come from the knee instead of just flopping the foot out, which would explain why I have so much trouble with my left side (due to various knee injuries).
After roughly three hours of dance, I was so sore I could barely walk. I've been treating myself with ibuprofin and icey-hot and am still really sore! I also bruised the heck out of my legs. The jig shoes are hard with a brass heel and tap things on the front. I look like I've been in some sort of strange kicking fight or something. ANd now that the weather's nice, my legs look terrible in shorts/skirts.
But, the good news is that I'm making some progress. I should be able to not kill myself totally when it comes time for competion, or hurt other people, or make a complete fool of myself. Hopefully next week will get easier.