Sunday, September 13, 2009

How to be a good Follow

Most of the times when something goes wrong on the dance floor it is the Lead's fault. However, the follows can be at fault if they do not follow properly. I thought it would be fair to write about how to be a good follow after my last entry for the leads.

Tips for being a good Follow:
1. Keep a comfortable distance with your partner. You dictate how close you want to be. Also, don't stand right in front of him, stand slightly to his right.

2. Keep your fingers curled. Pretend you are holding an egg with your middle finger and thumb - that is how you should keep them all the time to provide a natural hook.

3. Keep tension in your arms in order to effectively follow your lead. Not too tense, not too wobbly.

4. Pull when you are being pulled and push when you are being pushed. Remember to keep tension in your arms and not let your elbows go behind the side of your body.

There are a lot of other details to point out but that will be written at a later post.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

How to be a good Lead

I have been to a lot of different salsa classes - some for beginners and some for the more advanced. As usual, there is a rotation of parterns throughout the lesson and I get to practice with many follows the pattern that is taught. One of the things I hear most often is, "Wow, you are a good lead!" Yes, it is very hard to find a good lead in the beginner/intermediate salsa lessons. This is why I decided to write this small entry.

Tips for being a good lead:
1. Put yourself in the follow's shoes. Once you dance as a follow you will understand the importance of a good lead and what a good lead and bad lead feels like. Try it out with a good lead and try it out with a beginner lead.

2. Keep your frame. If you are in the close hold, make sure your right arm is up, supporting her arm. Make sure your right hand is on her shoulder blade and not on her hips.

3. Give strong leads. Be firm when signaling her but do not over do it. Don't be forceful as it will throw her off balance

4. Ask for feedback. Don't be shy, ask the follow how you are doing and what she is feeling and not feeling with your lead

5. Be perceptive. If a move you are trying to do doesn't come out right, you are probably doing something wrong.

6. Don't rush into a move. If you are late starting a move, don't try doing catch-up - someone will get hurt.

I think this is it for now. Good luck leads!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Salsa Basics - The Simple Right Turn

One of the more basic steps that is taught probably on the second lesson of Salsa is the Simple Right Turn.

The Simple Right Turn is executed in 1 bar. The fundamentals of the footwork is exactly the same for the leads and the follows. The only difference is the timing of the execution.

For the leads the turn is executed on counts 1, 2 and 3. For the follows the turn is executed on counts 5, 6, 7.

Here is a very nice youtube clip for the Simple Right Turn from 5minStudio:


Follow these tips while watching the clip:
- Spot as you turn. This means you want to snap your head around 360 degrees. This is done on count 3 for the leads and on count 7 for the follows.
- Keep shoulders in check. Do not over-rotate your shoulders. While doing the turn they should be on the same vertical plane field as the rest of your body.
- Use your core. Use your core to hold your body in piece so that it can move as one uniform piece while turning.
- Relax the unused leg. Do not use the Left leg to turn. Many try to force this leg to swing around. The trick is to bring it close to the ankle of the right leg and relax it.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Salsa Holds

There are 2 main types of holds in Salsa Dancing.

The first is the "open" hold. The open hold is pretty simple. The Leads place their hands in front of them with their palms facing upwards. The Follows will have their hands on the Leads hands with the palms facing downwards.

The angle of the elbow really depends on the height of Follow. The Follow should have an angle of at least 90 deg to 210 deg. It is up to the Lead to adjust his bend in the elbow to accommodate the follow.

The second type of hold is the "closed" hold. This is the traditional hold where the Lead has the left arm extended to the side and the right arm bent with the right hand behind the Follows back. It is easier to show you with a youtube clip than describe it in words :P. Leads, remember to keep a good frame.



Remember, it is a lot easier to do any type of pattern with the open hold. As you progress in learning more patterns, you will learn that an open hold allows easier movement and hand signals than the closed hold. Usually patterns will go from a closed hold to an open hold at the beginning of a pattern.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Salsa Spin and the Spot Turn

All salsa dancers start off by getting dizzy once the turns are taught. But, once you are passed that beginner's phase, I am sure you start wanting more and more spins and turns. This applies to both follows and leads.

Here is a really good exercise to practice your spin technique. This is actually the same exercise I did when I was learning how to spin.


Spinning Technique and Tips:
1. Keep a strong core. This means, keep your abs tight as it helps create a strong hold between your upper and lower body.
2. Do no over rotate your shoulders. Once you start spinning, your body should be in plane field - just as if you were standing straight.
3. Keep your legs firm and together. Keeping your legs together helps keep the center of gravity close to the center and will make you less wobbly.
4. Use your shoulders and arms to start the spin but keep in mind point number 2.
5. Spot. Spotting will help you avoid getting dizzy - keep an eye on one spot.

Another spinning video:


Once you have mastered the spinning technique it will help you throughout the dance and enhance your moves on the dance floor.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Salsa Learning Curve



I found this very interesting graph from an article in addicted2salsa.

The graph is very true to what I have observed as an instructor. So what does it mean?

What it says about women:
- They learn at a steady pace
- They learn faster than men, specially during the beginner's phase.
- They will complain that their partners are not up to their level of dancing
- They do reach a plateau a lot quicker than men

What is says about men:
- They learn at a more exponential rate
- They learn very slow during the beginner's phase, which explains the level of frustration from men at this stage
- If they continue to invest time and practice, they will get real good real fast
- At one point, they will be better than women who have been learning for the same amount of time.

What does this all mean:
- Be patient with your partner
- Don't let your partner give up if they are in the beginner's phase or at a plateau
- Be understanding and supportive of other's
- Keep practicing no matter what.

This is what I tell my students all the time, "It will all make sense one day."

Good luck! Don't give up!

Friday, June 26, 2009

The Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn - Cross Body Turn

Once you have perfected the cross body lead the next logical step is to learn the cross body lead with an inside turn or the cross body turn.

It is very important that the leads learn how to lead one as well as for the follows to learn how to perform one.

Tips for Follows:
1. Remember you are still traveling in a line
2. You are essentially swapping places with the lead
3. Spot as you turn
4. Finish the cross body lead on 1 (and it will help you balance at the end of the turn
5. Steps 1 through 3 are the basic steps - do not start turning early or anticipate the move

Tips for leads
1. Make sure you open a clear traveling path for the follows by the end of count 3.
2. Do not start leading the cross body lead / turn until the start of count 5
3. Bring your left hand upwards and to the left to indicate a cross body turn (watch the video)
4. Be gentle, if you go too fast, you will make your partner lose her balance


Here is a demo youtube clip from "salsajunkies":


A good way to practice your cross body turns is to perform ballet chaines - tighten your abs and remember to spot. Here is a clip with very fast chaines turns.


Another clip from expertvillage breaks it down a little for you. If you can practice this at least 1 minute per salsa session. I would recommend this even for the leads.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Cross Body Lead

The cross body lead in salsa is one of the foundations steps. A lot of the patterns are based off of the cross body lead.

What is the cross body lead? It is basically the exchange of positions between the lead and the follow - like a 180 degree change. It is completed in 2 bars (counts 1 through 8).

Here is a tutorial from "expert village" which is very detailed:


Make sure you perfect the cross body lead early on as it will help greatly when learning more intermediate patterns.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Salsa Hip Movement

One of the first questions students ask when learning how to dance salsa is, “What about my hips? How do I move my hips?”

Many beginner dancers put too much focus on the hip movement and ultimately start dancing with very awkward movements. My advice to beginners is to focus on the footwork and timing first before even worrying about the hips.

The initial approach should always be to let the hips do their natural movement. Essentially, if you are doing the proper footwork with the correct transfer of weight to each foot, your hips will move very gracefully and naturally. This applies to both leads and follows.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the basic step and of the hip movement. It is broken down into the 8 counts and 8 “&” which is the transition between counts. This is from the lead’s perspective.

Starting position:
Stand with both your feet together with all your weight on your right foot

Count #1:
Step forward with your left foot. Only place 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Transfer all your weight to the LEFT foot at the same time start to lift your RIGHT foot. Your hip should be shifted over to the LEFT side.

Count #2:
Step in place with the RIGHT foot with 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Transfer all your weight to the RIGHT foot at the same time start to lift your LEFT foot bringing it back to starting position. Your hip should be shifted over to the RIGHT side.

Count #3:
Place with the LEFT foot back to the starting position with 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Finish transferring all your weight to the LEFT foot. Your hip should be shifted over to the LEFT side.

Count #4:
Brief Pause

Count &:
Start bringing your RIGHT foot backwards.

Count #5:
Step backward with your right foot. Only place 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Transfer all your weight to the RIGHT foot at the same time start to lift your LEFT foot. Your hip should be shifted over to the RIGHT side.

Count #6:
Step in place with the LEFT foot with 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Transfer all your weight to the LEFT foot at the same time start to lift your RIGHT foot bringing it back to starting position. Your hip should be shifted over to the LEFT side.

Count #7:
Place with the RIGHT foot back to the starting position with 25% of your weight on the foot.

Count &:
Finish transferring all your weight to the RIGHT foot. Your hip should be shifted over to the RIGHT side.

Count #8:
Brief Pause

Look at these videos closely from expertvillage:

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Different Styles of Salsa - On1, On2, LA, NY, Miami, Cuban, Casino. You name it, you got it!

Here is a quick draft of the more popular type of salsa styles you may encounter.

L.A. Style or On1
This style of salsa dancing is very linear. Dancers use lots of dips, flips, drops, tricks and arm styling. L.A. style dancing is a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to dance and is usually danced on 1 (breaks are done on count 1 and 5).

Super Mario (www.millionmovesman.com)


N.Y. Style or On2
This style of salsa dancing is also linear and more like mambo. It is more focused on the use of body movements and free style footwork. N.Y. style is also very pleasurable to watch and usually danced on 2 (breaks are done on count 2 and 6).

iMambo.tv


The L.A. and N.Y. styles are very similar but some of the main differences are their approach to body movement. If you watch New York dancers, you will notice they are more elegant and have a smoother look and feel at dancing. Los Angeles dancers will be more crisp in their movements.

Casino Rueda Style
This style of salsa originated in Cuba and involves a group of dancers dancing in a circle. It is very lively and up-beat. There is always a “caller” that calls out the moves to be danced.



Cuban Style
The Cuban style of salsa dancing will seem to be more of a male-dominated dance. The rhythm danced to is much faster and the feet, arms, and body movements are quick-paced.

Other styles are Colombian Style, Cuban Style, Miami Style, and Puerto Rican Style.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Salsa Dancing Etiquette

Just like eating, dancing has its own “manners” at the dance floor. Follow these tips and you will make the Salsa dancing experience much more enjoyable.

Leads / Men
1. Introduce yourself (if taking lessons)
2. Ask politely for a dance, if you are turned down don’t give up
3. Wear deodorant and remember hygiene is important.
4. Take a towel to wipe your sweat
5. Lead the follow into smaller steps if the dance floor is too crowded
6. Test the level of the follow before attempting very complicated moves.
7. Dance at the level of the follow and throw in a few new moves for her to learn and enjoy

Follows / Women
1. Don’t turn down a dance, if possible say YES!
2. Smile and enjoy every dance
3. If no one is asking you to dance, ask them instead
4. Be patient with the lead if they are less experienced than you
5. No handbags while dancing
6. Wear deodorant and remember hygiene is important.

At the Dance Floor
1. Be aware of the other dancers and people around you
2. Adjust the size of your steps and moves according to how crowded the dance floor is (smaller steps for more crowded dance floors)
3. Protect your partner if you see they are about to be knocked down by another dancer
4. Avoid walking through crowded dance floors
5. No drinks – if it spills, it will ruin the dance floor

Here is a pretty good Salsa website with more Salsa etiquette tips from Toronto Dance Salsa:
http://www.torontodancesalsa.ca/articles/Salsa-Dancing-Etiquette.php

Friday, May 22, 2009

Basic Salsa Steps for Beginners

If you are new to Salsa here is a short video clip from Addicted2Salsa.com.

This video shows how to perform the basic step and simple right turn footwork.



What to keep in mind when learning Salsa:
1. Each bar of salsa music is split into 4 beats.
2. Salsa is danced on 2 bars (ie. beats 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8)
3. A step (transfer of weight from one foot to the other) is made on beats 1, 2, 3, and 5, 6, 7.
4. A brief pause is made on beats or counts number 4 and 8.
5. The pace of the beats are "quick, quick, slow... quick, quick, quick, slow..." Which corresponds to "1, 2, 3..., 5, 6, 7...)
6. Be patient

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

What should I wear for Salsa? Salsa clothing


Good question. What do you wear for salsa lessons? When I first started I didn’t even bother. I wore flip-flops, casual shoes, and even running shoes at time. This is totally normal for beginners – who really don’t know what to wear or aren’t too sure how serious they are about the dance.

Before you start spending any money on shoes or clothes. I would suggest, go dancing with something you already have. This applies for both men and women – wear shoes with smooth soles (no tennis shoes), something that will allow you to slide through the dance floor properly and will not slip off (no flip-flops). But, most importantly, wear something comfortable.

Clothing would be a personal choice. Wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing.

If you are a little more serious about dancing but don’t want to spend too much money on a pair of shoes, I would suggest buying some cheap dance sneakers. I got my first pair (Block Stealth) here http://www.allaboutdance.com/ under $30 but you can practically find anything online these days. The Block Stealth are pretty nice and “stealthy” since the heels are much lower than the normal dance sneakers.

I recommend dance sneakers over jazz shoes for dance lessons because they last longer and are good for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers. They will last for a while– or at least 5 years so they are an extremely good investment.

Ladies, if you insist on getting heels as a beginner/intermediate dancer. I would recommend Stephanie Dance Shoes (http://www.stephaniedanceshoes.com/) – something on the lower end (around $60).

Now, if you are asking, “What do you wear at Salsa clubs?” then that would be totally different. Of course, you will have to dress to impress or enough to get passed the entrance.

Here is a youtube video of a salsa club in California. Nothing too fancy.



Shoe-wise- ladies, wear your dancing heels but take them in a dust bag and change once you are in the club. Gentlemen, wear your dancing shoes if you want, or just a pair of nice leather shoes with smooth (non-rubber) soles – I prefer the latter. At some clubs you will even see dancers wearing jazz shoes, which is also perfectly acceptable and looks cool.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Why Salsa Dancing?


Perhaps you have thought about tango, waltz, samba, and other forms of ballroom and you have already started taking classes. However, if you are looking for a fun social dance that is popular and fun to learn then you should be learning how to SALSA!

Salsa and Merengue, are the two most popular forms of Latin social dancing. If you go to a Latin dance clubs, you will definitely be hearing these tunes – no doubt about it.

I started learning Salsa L.A. Style (on1) in 2003. So why Salsa and not ballroom? The answer is simple: I didn’t want to be bogged down by form and technique (don’t think there is no form or technique in Salsa). I also wanted to have some freedom of expression (sorry, but I felt ballroom dancers all moved the same). But most importantly, I did not want to shake my hips the way male ballroom dancers did.

After a year of lessons I started helping the college salsa club to teach beginners and intermediate dancers and also performed publicly with the team. Teaching has helped me understand and also perform the movements of leads (males) and followers (females).

In this blog I want to share my experiences and knowledge as a student as well as an instructor to those looking to start and improve their Salsa dancing. I will be addressing some of the most common topic such as:
- basic footwork
- timing
- proper hip movement
- home exercises

I will also provide valuable tips, guidance, observations from my students, and videos I think will be helpful.

To learn more about the history of salsa check it out in wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_(dance)