Connection is one of the most essential and mysterious aspects of partner dancing. It is what allows two dancers to move together in a fluid and harmonious way, understanding each other almost instinctively and unconsciously. But what exactly is connection, how can we define and characterize it?
In this article we try to provide answers to better analyze what is usually hidden behind the term "connection". It manifests itself in particular on several levels: physical, musical, emotional, and creative.
The physical connection
In partner dancing, the leader and follower form a team that moves together, achieving coherent and harmonious movements through a physical connection.
- Leader Guidance : The leader uses physical connection to guide the follower. This involves precise movements and shifts that the follower must understand and execute.
- Follower tracking : The follower uses this same connection to sense the leader's intent and respond appropriately.
- The movement of the dancers: by combining their individual movements, the leader/follower couple forms a moving whole with its own inertia, internal movements, rotations, etc. The physical connection between the two partners helps maintain coherence in this overall movement.
The physical connection manifests itself on several levels:
- Inside each partner's body : There is an internal connection between different parts of the body. For example, between the legs and the pelvis, the pelvis and the bust, and the bust and the arms. This internal connection is essential to maintain the fluidity and harmony of movements. It ensures the transmission of information to each part of the body.
- At the eye level : Eye contact plays a crucial role in connection. It helps the follower understand the leader's intentions and anticipate movements.
- Within the leader/follower couple : The connection is expressed by the common inertia of the moving bodies, the relative position of the centers of gravity and the center of gravity of the couple. It is this harmony in movements and positions that allows for a fluid and coherent dance.
- Between partners : Physical contact, the pressure exerted (its force, its direction, its power) are key elements of the physical connection. This connection allows the transmission of information that is crucial to understanding the leader's intention of movement. The adequacy between the force proposed (we would prefer to say proposed rather than imposed) by the leader and the follower's ability to receive it is what will define the lightness and quality of the connection.
The connection with music and rhythm
Connection is not limited to dance partners; it also includes a deep connection with the music and rhythm. Being connected to the music means feeling every beat and nuance of the melody, and synchronizing your movements accordingly. This involves:
- Active listening : Listening carefully to the music to capture details and variations in rhythm and different instruments.
- Shared Rhythm : Both the leader and follower must be in sync with a common rhythm so that their movements are synchronized and consistent.
- Musical Interpretation : Beyond simply respecting the tempo, connecting with the music includes interpreting the emotions and dynamic variations of the melody.
The emotional connection
Couple dancing is also a form of emotional expression. Emotional connection allows feelings and moods to be communicated through dance.
- Sharing emotions : Partners share their emotions, which enriches the dance and creates a more intense and immersive experience.
- Empathy and Understanding : Being sensitive to the emotions of others allows you to better understand and respond to movements and intentions, making the dance more fluid and natural.
The game, the creativity, the complicity
Couple dancing is also a space for play, creativity and complicity between partners. This creative connection allows for exploring new ideas and playing with movements.
- Play and improvisation : Leaving room for improvisation and play allows you to explore new facets of dance and adapt to variations in the music and the inspirations of the moment.
- Shared Creativity : Creativity in couple dancing is not the prerogative of the leader. The follower can also suggest variations and movements, and the leader must be attentive to these suggestions.
- Complicity : Complicity between partners is essential to create a harmonious and expressive dance. This complicity is built through continuous communication and mutual understanding.
Conclusion
Connection in partner dance is a complex and rich interaction that goes far beyond physical contact. It includes connection to music, emotions, and the creativity shared between partners. By cultivating these different forms of connection, dancers can create unique and deeply satisfying dance moments.