Dropback Progress

   Here’s a video from Thursday’s practice.  More dropback practice (of course).  I tried a different hand position by bringing the hands above the face and straightening the arms before dropping back.  Louise Ellis was trying to get me to do something similar doing class earlier this month.  She kept saying, “bring the hands over the face”, which I interpreted as “bring the hands below the chin.” Of course she also wanted me to drop back with straighter legs…maybe to bring more focus on bending at the lower back?  I donno.  I still have a hard time following the suggestions of my teachers if they don’t tell me the reasoning behind the suggestion.

     I was afraid that my lower back couldn’t handle the extra strain from bringing the arms straight all the way back.  But I tried straight arms back for Thursday’s practice and it seemed to work nicely.  It helped remind me to open the middle and upper back more. 

    The landing is slightly softer (coming down on fingertips instead of the palms) but, you know, those heels are still coming up.  Whatever.  Still working on that.

    It’s finally the weekend.  I think I’ll take a break from homework today and spend some time working in the garden (if the sun comes out).