While listening to NPR, I heard a software designer utter the phrase “Lazy like a fox”. He was referring to taking advantage of other’s inroads into discoveries that cut corners, essentially saving the time and energy.
I was intrigued. In an article by Phil Johnson from IT World magazine he further explains “The best developers share an important trait: laziness, which translates to a constant quest to find the most efficient ways to get the job done, in both the short and long terms”.
Who knew that computer programers were models at finding efficiency in their craft? As ballroom dancers can we too make it easier for ourselves by finding the most efficient way to move our whole selves through space?!
Cutting corners can be a negative if we are trying to get to the next rumba walk before we center our weight on both feet, push off from the back foot getting our weight onto the leading foot and then settling on that hip, simultaneously bringing the back foot through and starting again.
But I like to think about the times that I have worked with a dancer and efficiency was gained by recognizing an interference. The interference sometimes is discovered as a habit of locking knees causing hyperextension, an attempt to attain good posture through bracing, or battling the critical voice inside, or losing sight of the space all around. Or, and this is my favorite one to notice – holding my breath.
So the efficient way to get the job done is to recognize the thing that prevents an easeful, balanced and fluid outcome. Can we cut out this stuff that we don’t need ? I like to think of this as positive corner cutting.
Truth be told, I don’t believe that taking time to think equals laziness. But in our culture, thinking and not doing something is often considered just that. Ridiculous! So the next time you want to improve your rumba walk, look at what you don’t need. Take the time to think about it and….
BE LAZY LIKE A FOX!
Happy Dancing! If you know other dancers who may benefit from these tips, please forward. To sign up for my weekly blog, click here.
