Mechanics cannot be taught by screen but the descriptions here are dynamite

What it is to collecet your wieght no matter the style is to be on one leg at a time. and not stop with the majority of your body woeght betweeen your feet.
Many newconers often "Broad base" for safety and stability before being able to centre themselves and then dance more cleanly.

Remeber to ask your teacher afor clarification and exercises focused for your body and development.j

jo

Pc,

This applies to Standard Dances.

As your swinging leg becomes your “new” supporting leg, your weight will move onto it from the “previous” supporting leg. Collecting your weight properly means allowing your weight to be fully transferred onto / over the “new” supporting leg before you commence to use that “new” supporting leg for the next swing.

As others have already mentioned your leg moves faster than your body (or body weight). So as you step (swing) your leg is going to arrive in position before your weight is transferred onto it. Allow this weight transfer to take place completely. Don't try to make any conscious effort to use that “new” supporting leg the moment it hits the ground to propel you forward. Because the moment it hits the ground your body weight is not over/on it. The weight is going to arrive slightly later. Allow the weight to arrive completely over the “new” supporting leg. Feel the supporting leg holding the full weight of your body. Actively “collect it” with a softening of the knee. Now knee soft and weight over the supporting leg, commence your next swing.
(Please note that I have broken it down for the sake of discussion. All of this must take place within the context of “continuous movement”)

It should be obvious that stepping/ swinging slowing or weakly is not going to help you accomplish collecting your weight correctly. Because weight collection has nothing to do with the mere speed of the swinging leg. It's what happens after the swinging leg hits the floor, when you commence your next swing and when you use your “new” supporting leg. It's possible to step slowly/ weakly and still look rushed and hurried.

Taking the natural turns of the Waltz as an example. You should not be afraid take a strong long step on 1. Now collect the weight fully before you swing up into 2. In fact strong, long strides (where appropriate) accentuates the quality of movement that you get from collecting your weight properly.

Regards,
Len.

Others are right that mechanics like this need personal instruction, and we can only generalize here. Collection is one basic aspect of walking movement that we constantly refine in a number of ways, too. This said, there are a couple of simple things you may do for some practice, but they won't substitute for competent instruction:

American foxtrot basic step is one good walking excercise. As one knee passes the other in walking, flex (compress) the standing knee slightly, so that for a breif moment as the swinging leg passes, both knees are moving forward together as one begins to pass the other. Don't bend it so much that you lower your upper body - just a "tick" as one knee brushes by the other. (Walking backwards is a whole 'nother we won't get into here.) This is one kind of collection. Then, when you get to the two quicks, collect your leg (thigh & knee especially) together at the second one (i.e., the end of the basic). The left rock turn or "Arthur Murray turn" is another good place to practice the latter collection. You can dance this all around the floor, only the forward basic, a beginner will appreciate it, and an advanced dancer will feel & appeciate the fine movement, but an intermediate will hate it(smile). Collection of movement is one of the basic things felt by your partner (and vice versa) and a foundation of lead/follow movement. Most people I know require good privates to learn good movement, and with the right instructor they are worth every penny. It is always the cheapest way to learn in the end.

Your teacher must explain whenever asking you to
do something you don't understand. You are not
getting your moneys worth if he/she donesn't bother to make you understand.