June 10, 2006, 12:36 a.m. (Message 45501, in reply to message 45489)
Well, I have seen people get a slight sprain on occasion when one slips on a polished floor. No matter how ready one is for such an event the very act of slipping causes the grip to tense up. I have also seen a thumb dfislocated in the worst case. To mitigate all this, though, it all took place long ago when the speed of the music was half as fast again then what is common today. The dislocation was caused when dancing on an ex-lawn which had overgrown and had been cut the week before in very good (hot, dry) weather. The result was like dancing on ice! One solution, if you are nervous about damage, is to cup the other dancers elbow with your other hand.(i.e when turning right hands, cup your left hand under the other dancers right elbow) It is quite comfortable, produces a good close turn and helps prevent any likely slips. That used to be common practise on slippery floors in the past in this area.