201013 Salsa+Bachata Lesson

The Truths
"If you move your hips too much then you lose reaction time." -Kocela
Bachata can be funky or romantic.

Homework
Diamond
Practice forwarding your hip in a hip swing.

20101020 Bachata Lesson- IMPROVISING BASIC

The Truths
If the song is romantic use your upper body.
There are three places to place your hands: FIRST POSITION, SECOND POSITION, ON YOUR HIPS
(elbows to the back)
Always create opposites in your stance/movement with your hip/chest.

Syllabus- Improvise your basic with:
Shoulder rolls
Chest roll
Hip rolls (10:00-8:00, 2:00-4:00)

Hip rolling is therapeutic!

Homework
Practice and notice chest to chest movement during basic.

20101020 Salsa Lesson- TURNS

The Truths about the Sport
The beat of salsa is 1 2 3 (ghost 4) 5 6 7 (ghost 8).
Kocela said once during practice that things (twirls and swirls) tend to happen on 5.

Syllabus-TURNS
Inside turn- left foot forward
Outside turn- right foot forward
DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE YOUR SHOULDER WHEN YOU TURN.
Focus spotting on the side you end up on.

Homework
Inside/outside turn
Left turn (turn your feet with your body; DO NOT allow pigeon-toeing)
Spotting
Think the line of dance.
Practice left/right turn on one.

VIDEO REFERENCE: 20101020-Salsa Turns featuring Jack and Amber