03 06 Lateral Steps: Side Steps and Ochos

- Using the Obliques 00:13
- The Revel learns to pull 03:13

Marking with Obliques and Supraspinatus 05:55
The difference between front and back ochos 08:11
The Revel’s responsibility for alignment of her base 10:04
The First/Entrance Projection 12:14
The Transfer 14:41
The Free Leg during the pivot 17:29
The Mark’s Transfer 20:24
The Embrace 21:47

2. Size, Speed, Direction 24:58 3. Circles 30:40 4. System & Contra 31:27 Ocho Dance 33:03

36 Lateral Steps: Solo Practice

You’ll need to pivot today, so be sure you have a smooth floor and shoes (or socks) comfortable for pivoting. You’ll also need a kitchen island to hold on to, or two verticals about 1m apart (closets, bookshelves, and doorframes can work, so long as you can grip with both hands’ thumbs pointing up).

Regardless of your preferred role you should train the movements for both roles, following the instructions below.

Ex1 Gripping gently with both hands, practice side steps, initiating each step with contraction of your oblques which will turn your spine and torso toward the projection and step. Be sure to project and transfer with attention to all the technique. Observe:

the tension in your hands that results from contracting your obliques
the lateral flexion of your shoulders necessitated when the obliques rotate your torso

Ex2 Now do Revel’s front and back ochos. Begin each pivot by pulling with the more distant hand. Use this tension to trigger contraction in the obliques of the standing leg and then pivot it. Pay attention to all the technique for projection and transfer.

Ex3 Play music and improvise using only side steps and front and back ochos, vary the speed, size, and shape to express the music.

Ex4 Standing unsupported, practice marking ochos. Review the technique from the video about the correct use of your supraspinatus in conjunction with obliques.

36 Lateral Steps: Pair Practice

You’ll need to pivot today, so be sure you have a smooth floor and shoes (or socks) comfortable for pivoting.

We highly recommend that you change roles during today’s exercises in order to maximize your grasp of the complex movements and relations of ochos.

Ex1 Practice side steps, initiating each step with contraction of your oblques which will turn your spine and torso toward the projection and step.

Revel: Be sure to project and transfer with attention to all the technique.

Mark: Review the technique from the video about the correct use of your supraspinatus in conjunction with obliques.

Observe:

the tension in your hands that results from simply contracting your obliques
the lateral flexion of your shoulders necessitated when the obliques rotate your torso

Ex2 Now do Revel’s front and back ochos. Begin each pivot by pulling with the more distant hand. Use this tension to trigger contraction in the Revel’s obliques of the standing leg and then pivot it. Pay attention to all the technique for projection and transfer.

Ex3 Play music and improvise using only side steps and front and back ochos, vary the speed, size, and shape to express the music.