Vol 1.1                                                                                      Fall 2009

For the body.....

We asked Kyla Groeschel what are the best pieces of equipment that she likes to use in her studio.  This was her very useful answer;

"I have dots, hoola hoops, beanie bears, scarves, an achillies stretch thingy, and an arch stretch machine...I think that's it.  I love the hoola hoops...why?  They are great for circles on the floor (Lilt, Seann Triubhas, HP, etc.).  I also use them for National dances that don't have arms for "holding your skirt".  The scarves are great (bandanas would also work) for arms in dances like the Seann Triubhas.  I have my students hold the scarf with both hands pretty close together at one corner (like in 5th pos.) then take the arms straight up to 4th without changing their hold on the scarf.  This shows the dancer that they aren't necessarily going straight up from 5th to 4th.  Then from there they continue holding the corner with just one hand while pulling the scarf through the other hand and out, causing the hands to slowly, and completely, open.  I'm sure we all have hundreds of these teaching "tips".  We need to share and learn from each other, so thanks for asking." 

These are some outstanding ideas from Kyla and we appreciate her sharing them with the rest of the FUSTA membership.  If anyone else out there has other teaching tips you would like to share please contact the newsletter editor with your ideas.

For the soul.....

Competition etiquette is very important, as there is truly so much more to learn through Highland dancing, than just the steps.

When male dancers are competiting, they step back to let female competitors off the stage first. By the time everyone is in premier both male and female competitors know this practice and do so without thinking about it. But pre-premier male dancers need to be taught this and practice it. On the same note, pre-premier female dancers also need to be educated, so they know it is okay to walk in front of their male competitors when they are allowing them off stage first. After all - it is polite...ladies first!

Do you have a technique or etiquette question that you would like answered by a FUSTA professional? E-Mail us your questions and you may see an answer in the new issue!