19. AGILITY

 

  

 “This exercise begins with fl uid movements of the arms and legs, fi rst facing the center of the circle and then turning with your back to the center. This exercise is a continuation of the previous one. In this exercise – in contrast to the previous one – soft curved lines are at work. The feminine principle that processes the square is at work here. This is the magnetism.”
 Description
 Music: Melody 18 (“Beauty”) – 90 measures.
 Starting position:
 The participants are arranged in couples standing one behind the other, both facing the center. Feet together, the body weight falls on the left foot. Arms horizontal to the left, left arm extended and the right arm slightly bent in front of the chest, palms down (figures 19.1 and 19.2). The hands are in this position only at the beginning..

Fig 19.1
Fig 19.2
 Movement sequence
 1st measure, 1st beat: step with the right foot to the right. On the 2nd and 3rd beats: the weight of the body is moved to the right in a swinging motion,
the left foot on toes. Simultaneously, (1st, 2nd and 3rd beats) the hands with a graceful movement swing in a semi-circle downwards and then go horizontally to
the right (fi gure 19.3).
 2nd measure, 1st beat: continuing movement 1, make a half turn to the right on the right foot (figure 19.4). The back is now towards the center. 2nd beat: the left foot steps to the left, and on the 3rd beat the weight of the body passes onto it. On the 1st beat, while turning, the arms bend in front of the chest with elbows in a horizontal position, palms down and middle fi ngers touching (fi gure 19.5). On the 2nd beat hands separate, and on the 3rd the arms spread out horizontally, palms down (fi gure 19.6).
Fig 19.3
Fig 19.4

 

 3rd measure: on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd beat, the right foot steps to the left crossing in front of the left. At the same time the arms remain in a horizontal position and make wave-like movements with elbows, wrists and fi ngers (fi gure 19.7).
 4th measure, 1st beat: step with the left foot to the left. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd beats the arms continue to make wave-like movements to the sides as in the 3rd measure.

 
Fig 19.5
Fig 19.6


Fig 19.7

 

5th measure, 1st beat: with a swinging motion the weight of the body is transferred to the right foot; on the 2nd beat, the left foot rests on its toes. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd beats: simultaneously the left hand moves down in an arc and comes in front of the chest, the right hand remains stretched to the right* (figures 19.8 and 19.9).
 6th measure, 1st beat: step to the left with the left foot. On the 2nd and 3rd beats the weight of the body is transferred to the left foot with a swinging motion,the right foot on toes. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd beats the hands make a semicircle as in the 1st measure but in the opposite direction.
 7th measure, 1st beat: half turn to the left on the left foot. All dancers turn to face the center of the circle. On the 2nd beat the right foot steps to the right and on the 3rd beat the weight of the body passes onto the right foot. On the 1st beat, while turning to face the center, the hands move so that the elbows are horizontal, bent in front of the chest, with palms down and middle fi ngers touching. On the 2nd beat hands separate and on the  3rd the arms spread out horizontally, palms down.
 8th measure: on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd beats the left foot passes in front of the right foot and steps to the left in a cris-cross step, the hands remain to the sides, held horizontally, and make wave-like movements at the elbows and wrists (the same as in the 3rd measure but with the left foot) (figure 19.10). 













Fig 19.8
Fig 19.9

 9th measure, 1st beat: step to the right with the right foot, the hands continue to make wave-like movements – the same as the 4th measure, but with the right foot.
 10th measure, 1st beat: with a swinging motion

Fig 19.10
Fig 19.11

 These movements are repeated until the end of the melody “Beauty”, altogether 90 measures. At the 90th measure, the dancers are facing the center. After the last measure, the hands are lowered at the sides of the body, feet come together and the dancers should turn to the right.