Henk's Observations

What makes sacada difficult is it looks similar to the molinette. Actually, it is not as difficult, more on the level of ochos. In the beginning I had problems with balance, putting weight on the right foot, and timing. The timing problem happened because because the first thing I learned was molinette. This having become automatic, the first steps are the same but the timing is different. Changing these small things is very difficult.

This is the first time I'm doing the excercise of walking together. When you walk toward the mirror you can concentrate completely on what you are doing, you can change small things by looking in the mirror. Doing things together is very hard. I think it's one of the things that I think EVERYONE has to do a lot of practicing together. When I look around the dance floor, I notice there is a lot to improve. As Jan says: it should be elegant but manly.

When I look in the mirror, in the beginning, I see that I completely miss the elegance, in everything. Walking, you are just making steps: functional: moving forward. But without thinking about what things make the move of a step forward--the esthetics of walking: actually, that's the issue at hand.

When I look in the mirror, the moment that all the movements that go into making a step fit together, that's when there is a flow, and it's good. Every part of the step should follow at EXACTLY the right moment. How you place your foot, how high your heel is, etc. etc. If it's wrong you see it immediately.

Jan told me about bending the knee when you bring your foot forward: the knee should go forward first, THEN extending the leg, THEN transferring the weight. That's quite a difference, doing it that way. Putting your weight slightly toward the outside of your foot makes it look better.

Having a good posture, and then making the moves that belong with that posture, that is what's important. The thought occurs to me: maybe you could start with just standing??