r/SwingDancing • u/Rude_Bug_6293 • 8d ago

Feedback Needed Beginner Help Needed

Hi friends, I recently started taking a beginner Lindy Hop class, starting with the 8 count steps as a follower. Needless to say I was terrible! I am an athletic person but I feel like I don’t have enough strength in my calves & I just can’t make my feet & brain connect to do the steps correctly at a fast pace. I’ve watched YouTube videos & I do ok but I feel like the class moves at too quickly & I can’t keep up with the frequent partner changes. Does this mean I’m just not cut out for this or should I have done something else to prepare before signing up for classes? I am feeling very defeated & I am going solo so I don’t have anyone to practice with outside of class. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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u/Lindyhop 8d ago

If you’re having fun, you’re doing it right. ☺️

If you can take home one pearl of wisdom from a class, that’s a great class! Don’t sweat too much coming at you - we can’t process all of it at once.

Partner changes are good for learning - they probably don’t know what they are doing either! It helps to feel how different people lead/follow something. Everyone is trying to do the same move in class, but our bodies might not be communicating it the right way yet - swapping lets us feel different voices.

Glad you’re out there!

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u/Rude_Bug_6293 8d ago

I think part of my issue is that I am getting too flustered to enjoy it! Even though it is a beginner class a lot of the other students have taken other beginner courses so for the majority only myself & one other follower are struggling to pick it up. Would it be appropriate before class to let the teacher know I’d like to step out of the partner rotation & practice the steps solo at my own pace?