Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen

Coaching Notes:

Pre-Teach: Yes, the connection
Focus: External
Purpose: To create connection and interaction on the dance floor

Pre-teach: This is a slow walk throughout the whole song and we will explore dancing the slow walk both alone and together. Let’s try the partnering together first: start with a slow, dramatic walk: 1,2-1,2. It has a tango feel to it, poise, confident and regal. Now whoever is closest to you right now, reach out your hand and connect with them. Make sure your hands are soft and gentle as you connect. Don’t worry about getting it right – this is about having fun and exploring dancing with someone else. You can turn, you can travel together, change hands – simply explore moving and dancing while connecting with another person. Maybe you are leading, maybe the other person is leading – just see what happens.
 I promise you, you can’t get it wrong – all you have to do right now is be present with the person you are dancing with.

First Move: Slow walk. Listen to the song and connect to the slow walk: 1,2-1,2. It’s dramatic and tango-like. Start to move with poise, confidence and intensity. You can move sideways. Backwards. You can turn. Travel the room with your slow walk, but dance it as you walk. Lift up your arms and let them move. How can you express the music through your arm movement? You can’t get it wrong – listen to the song and let it move you. Give yourself permission to take up space as you dance. You can take big strides and let your arms fill up the space around your body. Can your head move as well? You can try looking at your arms as they move dramatically or even lift your chin a tiny bit for that proud, confident feel. It’s also possible to lift your chest up and shoulders back – try it if you feel like it. You can only get it right – how do you feel like dancing it?

Second Move: Slow walk with a partner. Whoever is closest to you, turn to them and let your hands connect. Remember, softly and gently. No tight grip og pulling in any way.
Now start to walk with your partner. Explore travelling together, turning together. Leading and following. Relax your hands.
Remind yourself you can’t get it wrong – this song is about connecting – that’s it. You’re getting it right, I promise. Give yourself permission to dance, and invite your partner into that dance.
How can you dance together?
Have you tried turning yet?
Have you tried moving backwards?
If you feel like singing along with the ‘la-la’ – go for it!
Now let go of your partner and dance on your own again.
Transitions:
You decide when to transition between walking alone and walking with a partner. Be aware not to have them stay with the same partner too long.