Archive for the 'salsa tip' Category

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Salsa Tip #22 : Getting the bad ones out of the way…

Salsa Practice DanceYes, #22 (which means it very important!). It is usually the case that you will learn something new in a salsa class and you will not get it right, right away. It is just the way we (as human beings) are built. We can't automatically duplicate an action – we are not built for consistency. Anyways, this of course is the main reason we practice – to perfect what takes us time to perfect.  However, most students forget this little fact, and sometimes get discouraged when they haven't done it right by the 10th time.

Now, lets go back to a little bit of history. Thomas Edison , a great inventor of the light bulb (among many other things). You know how many tries it took him to actually make a working and quality lightbulb? It took him more than ten thousand failed attempts. Have you ever thought of the times that we (in our lives) have tried something new, and maybe failed at it  10-15 times and thought about giving up? Imagine if Thomas Edison would have given up on the light bulb after try #1000. How bright would our world be?

I usually tell students that when they learn a new pattern or footwork – it will take them at least 50 times to get it down and be able to do it smoothly without effort. Basically, telling them that on try #51, thats why they'll be able to do it perfectly. I tell them to practice it 50 times as soon as they can, so they can get to #51 as fast as possible. :-) This is because since you know you won't do it right until the 51st time, why not speed the process up by doing the pattern/footwork 50 times as soon as you can – so you can get those (bad ones or failed attempts) out of the way and start enjoying the good ones? 

Published 4 years, 10 months ago in salsa tip. Closed

Salsa Tip #85 : Dance Etiquette 101 – Drinking and Walking

Now, this tip might be for newcomers to the salsa scene – and it could be a public server announcement for the rest of us. Now, I don't think these rules have ever been written down or said – but usually they are implied by dancers, because dancer understand what bugs them. It is just basic courtesy on the dancefloor:

 1. Never walk through the dance floor – but around it. Now, the only good reason you are walking through the dancefloor is because you found a good spot and you are actually going to dance. Other than that, I suggest (and many others too) is to walk around the outside of the dance floor if possible. People are dancing, worrying about their dance 'slot' and worrying about their neighbor's dance slot. I can't believe the people think that going through the dance floor (to get to one side to another) is easier than walking around the floor. First of all, you are going through a crowd of people that are constantly moving, making weird contortions with their arms and especially females spinning. That alone should tell you… "hmmm.. I might get hit and hurt – or I might cause someone else to get hurt". Not to seem crazy, but I can't tell you how mad this gets me. Because, to tell you the truth, I don't mind that some people walk through the floor – if they understand salsa slot mechanics. For example, wait for the guy to do a cross-body lead to walk near him/her (through the other side). You know this, because as a dancer, performing a cross-body lead will require the lady to move her location (which means, that a space opens up for you to walk through). However, few people are aware of this – so in general, please be kind – if you are not doing to dance, walk around the outside of the floor (so people dancing won't get mad that you have screwed up their pattern or gave them something more to worry about – their safety).

2. Never dance with drinks. There are a few of people (that for some reason) like to dance with open drinks. Now, this might be good at any other club, but I'm not so sure that at a salsa club. People bring their nice (suede bottom) shoes to the floor, so they can do lots of spinning. People who bring drinks ON the dance floor (are usually not being kind) because they end up spilling their drink on the dance floor (making it sticky) and laughing about it as if it was funny. In some cases, they'll end up spilling their drink on someone else. The good rule is that if you are going to have a drink, have it on the outside (but be warned someone can hit you if you are close enough to moving bodies) or having by the bar (where you are supposed to have drinks). Just be considerate – and everything should be good.

Published 4 years, 11 months ago in salsa tip. Closed

Salsa Tip #407 : Water or (Propel) in the Car

Propel WaterIf you are lucky enough to go to a salsa nightclub that has free water – than you are good. Drinking plenty of water at salsa event is a must – more than you think. Sometimes we forget that with all the patters, footwork and body movements we put into every 5 minute song – its really a tough workout for the body. We end up loosing a lot of water (through sweat) during one salsa night – especially if the nightclub is packed.

Now, in the cases where the water is not free (and they are charging an exorbitant amount of money for a itty-bitty bottle) – its good to sometimes bring (sneak) in your own water (if allowed). Now, first of all – I prefer Propel water because it feels more satisfying after I drink it compared to regular water (which seems to just go through my system pretty quick without providing any effects). So, I end up trying to put 1 bottle in my dance shoe as I bring those shoes to the club (its hard to tell its in there). However, in the cases where I can't really bring my dance shoes (or I'm already wearing them) – I end up keeping bottles of Propel in the trunk of my car. So whenever I am really thirsty and need some replenishment (and don't want to pay $3-$4 per bottle) – I just step outside (while getting some fresh air to cool off) and go to my car and drink a couple of bottles). It is sometimes pretty funny because since some of us have the whole 24-pack in the trunk – we all go to the parking lot and just hang around the car drinking bottles of water and chatting before going back in.

Anyways, going back to the main tip – I suggest if you can to bring your own bottle of water at a salsa event. Sometimes either the water runs out or the prices are too high. In another case, you should always keep some water in your car for when you really need it (or even after a hard night at a salsa club). Drinking lots of fluids after an event can help relieve any muscle stress you might have in the morning.

 

Published 4 years, 11 months ago in salsa tip. Closed

Salsa Tip #67 : Get a full length mirror for body movements

Full Length MirrorI get asked a lot on how to become good with body movements. Now, I'm not close to the Cobo Body Movement, but I can tell you what I used to train my body isolations and perfecting the look. Its really simple – just a mirror.

The key is to practice, practice and practice. (How many times have you heard me say that?). Get a nice full-length mirror from Target or Walmart (I think I paid like $10 for it). Then, what you do is just stand in front of the mirror and do your basic step – and see how it looks. Then once you got that down (and it looks good to you), try adding some footwork – and perfect how it looks. After you have those two things down, now add some body movements. Try a body-roll, try rolling your shoulders backwards, try doing some rib-cage isolations or hand movements.

At first, you will feel COMPLETELY awkward. But thats because you're body is not used to doing that type of coordinated movement (yet). You have to keep doing it until it becomes comfortable. As you continue to do it, your body will auto-fix itself so it feels natural – and once you have control of moving the hands, shoulders, and chest fluidly – then you can work on making it look they way you want it to. Its like trying to learn how to paint. The best way, is to first learn about colors. Then, become comfortable at stroking the brush. Then, you can be comfortable at making your figures in the canvas.

Now, to tell you how I come up with cool footwork + body movements – its really pretty simple. I put on a song that I really feel and can jam to. Example, right now I'm listening to El Hijo de Obatala (the LIVE version of course, but there are a couple of good ones on iTunes too). I put this song on, and I just dance and start doing crazy stuff. What do I mean by crazy stuff – really, I just cut loose. I'll start goofing around, or do some weird Usher footwork with some bachata, whatever comes out. You should do this without worrying what you look like, because you don't want to restrain yourself (remember, once you become comfortable dancing by looking at yourself, you WILL become a much better dancer because you will be more comfortable dancing with a partner – remember, you are your own worst critic). Anyways, lather, rinse and repeat – and at some point you will end up doing something really cool in the mirror – and you'll be like 'wow, that looked pretty cool, let me see if I can do it again'. And BAM! That is it. You'll end up trying to reproduce (slowly) that you will perfect it (to make it look better) and it will become part of your muscle memory! 

Have fun! 

Published 4 years, 11 months ago in salsa tip. 1 Comment

The Key Ingredients to Smooth Salsa Dance Spins

Smooth Spins

Smooth Spins

What makes salsa dancing so great for the ladies? Is it the beautiful styling which includes beautiful arms, isolations, and body rolls? Yes, styling is fun to do but that also can be found in many dances such as tango, flamenco, jazz. Can it be the ability to spin endlessly? The answer is yes. The great quality of dancing in salsa is doing multiple spins. This may be an opinionated answer, but there are many great female dancers which capture how spins can be one of the best aspects of salsa dancing. These ladies you will find on the addicted2salsa website are known for not only being spun by a partner, but spinning on their own and “stopping on a dime”. Some of these salsera have not obtained that gift of spinning over a day or weeks, but sometimes month or even years. Some people I recall speaking to about spinning have told me it took them either 2 or even 5 years to do multiple spins. Other people who have a well-developed dance background can obtain that skill earlier that a few months or even within a year.

What is so great about spinning? Here is there scenario. You are dancing with a partner and leads you to do multiple spins, but you stop yourself from spinning so much. Some girls who I have spoken to told me that some problems of spinning include: out of balance, are dizzy, or can’t control the spin. The other girls who I have spoken with have different reactions to spinning and state that it is many factors that attribute to great spins. In the beginning I remember almost falling out of a spin, almost knocking the guy out with my arm, or wobbling out of a spin (not spinning in place). I’m not an expert yet on spinning. However after a year on focusing on this technique I discovered the key to spinning. I have taken jazz classes, private lessons, group classes, and as well as advice from friends on spinning. After experience and observation I have found 5 steps to doing multiple spins.

1.) The Prep: Some ladies I have spoken to told me that the prep initiates the spin which helps maintain ones balance and creates momentum. How one preps also determines how fast one spins. For example, when a gentleman’s arm goes down and up like the letter K (called the J-hook) he is warning you that he is about to spin you more than one time. Get ready ladies. One prep that I learned is that the right leg swivels to the right (twist your torso and right leg slightly to the right) then shift your weight all on your right foot keeping your left foot close to your right (feels connected). Finally push off on your left leg. Ready for lift off, I mean spins


2.) Keep your legs closed: When first learning how to spin, some girls tap while spinning. This is in order to keep the spins going. Tapping is like the training wheels for spins. However, if you keep your legs together and knees slightly bent, you will see a huge difference. Make sure your weight is all on one foot (right or left) which depends which direction one is spinning. This really helps with balance.

3.) Keep a 90 degree angle: Make sure your arm looks like an L which is a 90 degree angle facing your partner. Also you want your arm to be nice and strong. No spaghetti arms. You don’t want your arm behind your body. If you feel your arm upwards, create an arm bar. For example, have your right arm in a 90 degree angle while having your left arm hold your right arm in place. This bit of advice ensures that you will wobble less and also have the lead have more control of where you are spinning. This may even prevents the guy to get injured like an uppercut.

4.)Keep everything tight: It does not matter how fit you are because if you keep everything tight the faster you will spin a lot faster and smoother. In order to keep everything tight make sure you keep your stomach nice and strong (hold it in girls) and keep your fanny tucked (squeeze). This also enables guys to have a better control of the spins.

5.)SPOT: This is the best piece of advice not only because it keeps one less dizzy, but it makes one spin so fast the guy will think you have disappeared. I’m just exaggerating, but it is very important to spot. Spotting is “process of delaying the rotation of the head, relative to the body’s rotational speed, by way of visual focus on one or more fixed points in space. ” (http://www.ballroomdancers.com/). Spotting is when you look at an object in the room or your partner and make sure that when your spinning that object or partner is the first and last thing you see. While spinning your head should be the last thing to turn. The faster you spot, the faster you will spin.

You got that ladies:

  • Make sure to prep (be warned to spin a whole lot)
  • Keep your legs closed, and slightly bend your knees
  • Make sure your arm looks this–} L facing your partner
  • Keep your stomach tight and butt tight (Your can squeeze a penny if you do it right)
  • Never take your eyes off him: SPOT!!!!

Pretty soon you will do multiple spins and it will feel great because it feels like you are flying in another world.

- Erika Briones a. k. a. (Latina Skin)

Published 5 years, 1 month ago in salsa tip. Closed Tags: .

Salsa Tip #331 : Dipping dots…. and ladies..

Salsa DipsWell, I've done dips before… but I hardly do them at the club. And the main reason for this salsa tip is because I see a LOT of beginners trying to do dips in salsa, when they are barely trying to get the basic step down.

Doing big dips in a club is a very dangerous game. Now, there is a difference between doing a small dip, and a large elaborated? dip. Small dips are fine, the lady doesn't go down much (and doesn't feel like she has to break her back). However, with large dips – its tricky and risky.

The floor is crowded. One time, when I decided to do a dip to this cute girl I was trying to impress, it ended up being that another guy next to me was doing a dip as well. For some statistical reason, we ended up doing the dip in opposite directions (and similar dip) so that the girls ended up hitting their heads. Yeah.. real smooth.. (sarcasm). Well, then I realized that when the floor is this packed, you will probably never want to do dips like that so you don't accidentally injure your follower. For these, you might as well do a standing up dip (not sure what they are called).

Don't operate heavy machinery. It will be the case that the ladies might not know how to perform a correct dip. In a good dip, the lady basically holds her own weight (and does not launch herself on the floor for you to catch her and support her – while not breaking your lower back). Some ladies think that its up to the guy to magically work against the laws of physics to perform the dip – and trust me, it doesn't work. Either you'll get injured, or she'll be on the floor. So, before you try a dip, make sure you feel like you are with a comfortable dancer that understands dips. Like in the picture shown on the right – that is not a good dip.

Find a good spot in the song. If you are going to do a dip on a given dance in a given song – try to do it to a song that you know that might have an accentuated pause, or drawn out instrument piece. Why? Well, you can't just do a dip anywhere. If you try to do a dip in the regular beats of the song, it looses some of the feeling of how your body moves with the music. In addition, you might end up doing the dip either too fast or too slow to maintain synchronization with the song, which will make the dip look sloppy.

A hand in head support. If you are doing a dip, where the lady's head is going down – my biggest tip is to use your free hand and give her some head support by placing your palm behind her head (as if it was like a pillow) so she doesn't feel a type of 'whiplash' effect when doing the dip. Trust me, it will make the dip feel 100x more comfortable. (again, thats why I say that the picture shown is a bad dip).

 All in all, dipping is about one main thing: making the dance end with graceful closure. How to make that happen is two things: make the lady comfortable when dipping and make her feel secure. Remember, the dip is for her, and not for the audience. Simple, comfortable and elegant dips are the best.

[UPDATED] The easiest way to get into a dip is to do a cross-body lead with a turn, and into a simple dip.

Published 5 years, 2 months ago in salsa tip. 1 Comment