Riot and Frolic

It seems really obvious to me why you'd learn to lead as a follow, but that's probably because I'm a follow, who thought it was awesome to learn how to lead. But as I lead guys, it's becoming clear that WE SHOULD ALL SWITCH ROLES in our learning careers.

Why You Should Learn to Follow

• Effect.  Like, from the cause.  Feel what it's like to be the reaction to all that action on the lead's side.  
• Learn How to Lead. What is "all that action" anyway?  Yep, you're going to find out "how often you're knocking girls over" [quote from The G] by getting knocked over yourself.  Find out what it feels like when your right arm is forced behind your shoulder in dance frame or how timing is so fetch.  All those things your instructor tells you?  THEY BECOME REAL, REAL FAST when you're on the receiving end. 
• Learn How to Get Out of the Way.  Still along the "learn to lead" lines, by following, you'll feel what it's like when someone keeps moving you instead of moving themselves ("leading from the center" is the dance jargon).  While leads are in charge of direction and timing, it's really easy to "just" push and pull the follows to make them go somewhere instead of learning the fine art of how to move yourself properly to invite the follow to go somewhere.  And when you're feeling the "push and pull" variety of lead, it'll make you want learn to correct way to lead even more.  #leadgoals
• Softness.  Men, I know you're very strong and manly, but damn if that doesn't make for some big girls to move around.  A great follow moves like a feather and is receptive to the next move.  If you've been leading, it's often difficult to let go of the "I'm in control of this ship" mindset and relax a little, both your mind from guessing or trying to help get to what's next, and your body so you can be more elastic and pliable to lead.  But dancing the follow's part is way more fun when you can be more cushion than frame.
• Play with Connection and Arms. Not being in charge of the next move is freeing.  Hang out on those back rocks, chill in promenade until you're good and ready to leave it, throw that free arm around your head.  Get down with your bad self.  Make someone else initiate the next move and have fun waiting for it.  
• A Dose of Humility. Waiting for a lead. Missing that lead. Hearing "this is what it feels like when you lead this" and then feeling it.  Shocking.  You couldn't possibly be doing all that to your follow, right?  Oh, wait, you are?  Uuuuuugh.  Sorry, follows.  And those shapes the lady does?  All that turning?  Those pretty accurate guesses she makes to cover for you?  Thanks, ladies.
• Trust. Skepticism has no place at the fun end of a dance partnership.  You must open your mind and your heart and go where that awesome lead is putting you. Even if it's off time.

GO!