Why Ask About The How?

But you already do!

If you look at the situation in a little more detail, it's almost macabrely funny that—especially but not exclusively—in dancing you are so often met with a technophobic attitude, an aversion to the question "how does it really work". Because if you look at the matter absolutely soberly and stay with dancing, even signing up for a class is the question "how does dancing work?"....!

Yes, but...

...surely the question is not to be understood as one wanting to learn the technique?

...you want to have it easy and be able to dance well quickly, don't you?

...technology is too exhausting, isn't it?

No, quite the opposite: "Technique is the effort to spare effort" (Baltasar Gracián y Morales)! Or, as I like to put it: technique is the knowledge of our ancestors, preserved in writing, on how to dance; it is a way to avoid going astray and to achieve success more quickly.

And how is that supposed to work?

Admittedly, I don't know what the disturbing idea of technology is that is so off-putting. Therefore, I would like to list only a few illustrative examples that (hopefully) dispel the fear of technology somewhat and instead arouse an interest in it:

• Dancing is a form of movement, and you can move better when you are balanced. Standing on the foot, initiating the step (anatomically correct) from the standing leg and standing upright ("straight") without exerting force are these enabling core areas of technique - which generally only require brief instruction and repeated application.
• Dancing should be fun—"tugging at the partner" is not very entertaining (except perhaps for gleeful spectators). If you briefly question how leading and following actually work, the effort at this point is suddenly unnecessary...
• Dancing should be an expression of individual feelings - something that can hardly be achieved with expired step sequences. If one also looks at the connections between music and dance (why which movement how?), the possibility soon arises to develop figures oneself and express oneself in this way.

Basically, these are highly interesting aspects, aren't they? Of course, dealing with them makes certain demands on the teacher or coach, but if the subject matter is taught in a way that is too dry and/or incomprehensible, then it is perfectly legitimate to call in another coach or even change the trainer.

Remember: The technique is not responsible for the person who is trying to teach it...!