Was thinking about this "first move" and the feeling 'natural'...(from another thread)
It is the only beginners move that does not flow properly - the way it is taught creates "un-natural" twisting and tension. Let me explain:
Almost every move involves you (as a lead) moving in one of three ways:
- moving in the same direction as your lead hand & following your own lead.
- moving in the opposite direction from your lead hand and releasing it to turn and face/collect.
- remaining 'stationary' (body on the same plane) and leading the lady towards you.
All of the moves cause you to follow your partner and maintain a 'connection' through the dance. The only (beginner) move that differs from this is the first move...
stage1: lead the lady towards you.
stage2: push her away and move in the opposite direction.
Note - no release, no following her and no leading inwards. The 'natural flow' of the move (and the dance) has been dissrupted by moving in the opposite direction to the way the move progresses.
To slightly ammend the move and maintain the 'natural flow', you can do several things at this point without changing your lead to the lady (too much):
- step back on the inside foot, turning with your own lead instead of against it.
- step forward on the outside foot to follow your own lead.
- release the lead hand (L) as you step back on the outside foot to prevent twisting & contorting while transfering the lead to the other hand on the lady's hip/waist.
- throw the lady's hand down and away while turning anti-clockwise to face & collect her again.
- step forward and infront of the lady (r-hand over or closed in half nelson) so that your lead hand ends up at your right hip and the lady is behind you.
- remain stationary on the open out (no stepping or twisting), to release the right hand as you and side-step left to catch lady's left in right.
- remain stationary on the open out (no stepping or twisting), then side-step right, taking the left hand to right shoulder and exit as per the shoulder-drop.
...
every one of these maintains one of the principles outlined above and would 'flow' the dance more naturally than the basic first move as it's taught.
I would therefore submit that the basic first move is more "un-natural" than almost any other variation of it.