Rugcutter Aerial Workshop

We did not expect such a wonderful turnout. I think we had something like 29 couples for our first class and the number stayed rather steady the whole day!

The Schedule:

Dips & Trick: 1:30-2:45 PM
Lift and Jumps: 3:00-4:15 PM
Lindy Hop Aerials: 4:30 – 5:45 PM

Dips and Tricks did not require partners because we intended the moves to be socially leadable. In it, we taught "The Jeremy", a lunge, and the Ninjammerz Dip.

"The Jeremy" named after Jeremy Otth and was inspired by a move he did at the US Swing Dance Open this past year. We weren't entirely sure it was the move he did, but it was our interpretation of it. But we particularly enjoy the move because it's rather similar to one that was popularized during the Neo-Swing revival. Next was the lunge which is a move Kevin and I often use during our social dancing and choreography. We felt like it would be good for our students to know because it's in their current Rugcutter Routine. Finally, we taught the Ninjammerz Dip, which is the final move of the Ninjammerz routine.

We then moved on to Lifts and Jumps where we required people to have partners. We taught technique on how to prep aerials, how to base, and how to land. We started the class with a climbing exercise we call the Monkey because the follow must climb around their base (normally the lead) without touching the floor. This is a challenging exercise in slippery pants. We taught the Frog, the A-Frame (or Russian), and the Liu Kang (a bicycle kick throw-out). I think most people enjoyed the last one.

In our final class we taught a pancake. We walked the students through the technique for the prep and the actual aerial. Many of the students went through the aerial all the way!

We were so proud of all the students who came to the workshop. Every arrived ready to laugh and learn and to push themselves. We were very impressed and thrilled that everyone was so receptive to our humor! One of my favorite moments was when we started doing the "meatball prep" which is where I hold a V-position (looks like Downward Dog if you do yoga) and Kevin was pretending like he was skiing over my butt (picture him in a crouch position and I am under his legs). But of course, I didn't know this until I was told after classes.

So the long of the short of it is:

• We love our Pittsburgh lindy hoppers
• We love laughing with them
• We love teaching them
• Kevin and I are VERY funny
• I love working with Kevin

If you have any photos or videos, can you send them to me?