Today's (sixth) class was make-up class, where we revised all the five dances taught in previous classes. We were also taught next step in New York Salsa – the side step. It is addition to the front-back steps taught on first day. In side steps, we do left-right movements. Detailed steps are:
1 – Left leg goes left by 8-10 inches, with weight shifting from right to left leg.
2 – Weight is shifted back from left to right leg.
3 – No weight shifting. Left leg is brought back closer to right leg, such that its only forefoot touches ground and heel remains lifted.
4/Shift – Only weight is shifted from right to left leg.
5 – Above four steps are repeated with other leg. Right leg goes right by 8-10 inches, with weight shifting from left to right leg.
6 – Weight is shifted back from right to left leg.
7 – No weight shifting. Right leg is brought back closer to left leg, such that its only forefoot touches ground and heel remains lifted.
8/Shift – Only weight is shifted from left to right leg.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Jive Basic Steps
Fifth and may be the last of the dance type that we will be taught is Jive. This is much similar to Cha-Cha, but here we have to jump. Jumping causes a lot of exercise of calf muscles. Step counts are 1-2-3-a4-5-a6. 'a' is not a separate step, but a very quick sub-step, where your foot touches ground after a jump. We were taught both back Jive and front Jive. In back Jive, male partner's left foot goes back on step 1, while in front Jive, it goes ahead. Detailed steps are:
* Displacement between legs is not more than a foot (around 8-10 inches only).
0 – We start with weight on right leg and left leg inline (horizontally), around 4 inches away.
1 – We move left leg back flat and weight is shifted to it. Right leg’s might get lifted a little bit.
2 – We shift weight back to right leg and left leg’s heel gets lifted.
3 – We bring back left leg to its original position, but now left leg’s only forefoot touches the ground and heel remains lifted as much as possible. We put pressure on left leg’s forefoot and lift right leg completely (jump).
a – The right leg comes back on ground.
4 – We displace our left leg to left by around 8-10 inches. We shift our weight on left leg.
5 – We bring the right leg close to left leg. Right leg’s forefoot touches ground and heel is lifted as much as possible. We put pressure on right leg’s forefoot and lift left leg completely (jump).
a – Left leg comes down and touches ground.
6 – We displace our right leg to right by around 8-10 inches. We shift our weight on right leg.
* Displacement between legs is not more than a foot (around 8-10 inches only).
0 – We start with weight on right leg and left leg inline (horizontally), around 4 inches away.
1 – We move left leg back flat and weight is shifted to it. Right leg’s might get lifted a little bit.
2 – We shift weight back to right leg and left leg’s heel gets lifted.
3 – We bring back left leg to its original position, but now left leg’s only forefoot touches the ground and heel remains lifted as much as possible. We put pressure on left leg’s forefoot and lift right leg completely (jump).
a – The right leg comes back on ground.
4 – We displace our left leg to left by around 8-10 inches. We shift our weight on left leg.
5 – We bring the right leg close to left leg. Right leg’s forefoot touches ground and heel is lifted as much as possible. We put pressure on right leg’s forefoot and lift left leg completely (jump).
a – Left leg comes down and touches ground.
6 – We displace our right leg to right by around 8-10 inches. We shift our weight on right leg.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Merengue Basic Steps
In today's class, we were taught Merengue. It has a two step beat. Steps could be called as Long-Long-Short-Short or 1-2-3-4. Detailed steps are:
* We have to concentrate on our waist, and let our legs follow the moves (just opposite to Salsa). Just remember to give "small thumkas" on alternate sides, and let your legs follow the moves.
0 – We start by weight on right leg and left leg next in-line to it.
1/Long – We shift the left leg by around 10 inches to left and hip goes in other direction. Main thing to keep in mind is that body above rib-cage should not move much.
2/Long – In this step our right leg follows left one. We shift right leg near to left one (they touch each other) and the hip goes in other direction (i.e., towards left). This time hip displacement might not be as much as in the odd steps.
3/Short – This is the same step as step 1, only difference being the displacement. Here we shift the left leg by only 3-4 inches.
4/Short – Same as step 2, but with displacement of around 3-4 inches.
After repeating these steps a number of times, the partners may reach to the end of dancing floor, then they may either rotate by 180 degrees, or they can start dancing the other way round.
If they rotate, then the steps don’t change.
But if they start dancing the other way, then girl starts following boy’s steps and boys do girl’s. Boys steps are:
1/Long – We shift the right leg by around 10 inches to right and hip goes in other direction.
2/Long – In this step our left leg follows right one. We shift left leg near to right one (they touch each other) and the hip goes in other direction (i.e., towards right). This time hip displacement might not be as much in the odd steps.
3/Short – This is the same step as step 1, only difference being the displacement. Here we shift the right leg by only 3-4 inches.
4/Short – Same as step 2, but with displacement of around 3-4 inches.
* We have to concentrate on our waist, and let our legs follow the moves (just opposite to Salsa). Just remember to give "small thumkas" on alternate sides, and let your legs follow the moves.
0 – We start by weight on right leg and left leg next in-line to it.
1/Long – We shift the left leg by around 10 inches to left and hip goes in other direction. Main thing to keep in mind is that body above rib-cage should not move much.
2/Long – In this step our right leg follows left one. We shift right leg near to left one (they touch each other) and the hip goes in other direction (i.e., towards left). This time hip displacement might not be as much as in the odd steps.
3/Short – This is the same step as step 1, only difference being the displacement. Here we shift the left leg by only 3-4 inches.
4/Short – Same as step 2, but with displacement of around 3-4 inches.
After repeating these steps a number of times, the partners may reach to the end of dancing floor, then they may either rotate by 180 degrees, or they can start dancing the other way round.
If they rotate, then the steps don’t change.
But if they start dancing the other way, then girl starts following boy’s steps and boys do girl’s. Boys steps are:
1/Long – We shift the right leg by around 10 inches to right and hip goes in other direction.
2/Long – In this step our left leg follows right one. We shift left leg near to right one (they touch each other) and the hip goes in other direction (i.e., towards right). This time hip displacement might not be as much in the odd steps.
3/Short – This is the same step as step 1, only difference being the displacement. Here we shift the right leg by only 3-4 inches.
4/Short – Same as step 2, but with displacement of around 3-4 inches.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
International Cha Cha Basic Steps
Today's class was of International Cha Cha. This is much similar to Rumba. Instead of Rumba’s long 4, here we have small and quick Cha-Cha. Step counts are 2-3-Cha-Cha-Cha-2-3-Cha-Cha-Cha or 2-3-Cha-Cha-1-2-3-Cha-Cha-1.
Like Rumba, this is a also flat dance, where our both feets (some part of them) always touch the dance floor.
0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with heel lifted and forefoot touching ground).
2 – He moves left foot forward (placed flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.
3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
Cha – This is a quick step where he brings left foot back, and place it around 3 inches away from right foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.
Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts right foot sideways such that it starts touching left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left foot to right foot.
Cha/1 – He shifts the left foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.
2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it, with whole foot touching ground. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.
3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
Cha – This is a quick step where he brings back right foot, and place it around 3 inches away from left foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.
Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts left foot sideways such that it starts touching right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right to left foot.
Cha/1 – He shifts the right foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.
Like Rumba, this is a also flat dance, where our both feets (some part of them) always touch the dance floor.
0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with heel lifted and forefoot touching ground).
2 – He moves left foot forward (placed flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.
3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
Cha – This is a quick step where he brings left foot back, and place it around 3 inches away from right foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.
Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts right foot sideways such that it starts touching left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left foot to right foot.
Cha/1 – He shifts the left foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.
2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it, with whole foot touching ground. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.
3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
Cha – This is a quick step where he brings back right foot, and place it around 3 inches away from left foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.
Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts left foot sideways such that it starts touching right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right to left foot.
Cha/1 – He shifts the right foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
International Rumba Basic Steps
Today's class was of International Rumba. Other style is American Rumba. Rumba, also known as the "dance of love", the "Latin Waltz" or the "Waltz with a wiggle", is a spot dance which means the couple does not travel around the dance floor like in waltz or foxtrot, but rather stays in one location.
You start dancing Rumba in a closed dance position. The man's left hand is holding the lady's right hand with the elbows almost touching. The man’s right hand is placed underneath the lady’s shoulder blade. The lady’s left hand is placed right behind the man's shoulder, flat on his back. Following video shows the correct stance:
Basic Stance for Rumba Dancing
This is a flat dance. All the time some part of both the feet always remain in contact with the dance floor.
Basic step counts are 2-3-4-1 (long 4 and short 1) -2-3-4-1.
* Displacement between legs on steps 4 and 1 is more than a foot, but very less on step 2.
0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with forefoot touching ground and heel lifted).
2 – He moves his left foot forward (places it flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.
3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
4 – He brings backward left foot sideways (around more than a foot away from right foot), making an arc (but in-line to right foot). During this step, left foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.
1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from right foot to left foot. Left foot heel comes down and right foot’s gets lifted a bit.
2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.
3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
4 – He brings back right foot sideways (around more than a foot away from left foot), making an arc (but in-line to left foot). During this step, right foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.
1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from left to right foot. Right foot heel comes down and left foot’s gets lifted a bit.
Details of all steps can be found at International Rumba Step List
You start dancing Rumba in a closed dance position. The man's left hand is holding the lady's right hand with the elbows almost touching. The man’s right hand is placed underneath the lady’s shoulder blade. The lady’s left hand is placed right behind the man's shoulder, flat on his back. Following video shows the correct stance:
Basic Stance for Rumba Dancing
This is a flat dance. All the time some part of both the feet always remain in contact with the dance floor.
Basic step counts are 2-3-4-1 (long 4 and short 1) -2-3-4-1.
* Displacement between legs on steps 4 and 1 is more than a foot, but very less on step 2.
0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with forefoot touching ground and heel lifted).
2 – He moves his left foot forward (places it flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.
3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
4 – He brings backward left foot sideways (around more than a foot away from right foot), making an arc (but in-line to right foot). During this step, left foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.
1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from right foot to left foot. Left foot heel comes down and right foot’s gets lifted a bit.
2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.
3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.
4 – He brings back right foot sideways (around more than a foot away from left foot), making an arc (but in-line to left foot). During this step, right foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.
1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from left to right foot. Right foot heel comes down and left foot’s gets lifted a bit.
Details of all steps can be found at International Rumba Step List
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Newyork Salsa basic steps
Today I and Sonal started learning Latin dance. We joined Heels Dance Academy, which is near to my office in Magarpatta City. Classes are scheduled for one hour, twice a week. Fee is 100 bucks for every hour (class). 800 bucks per month for eight classes every month.
First day was Latin dance demonstration class. Instructors showed us various types of Latin dance styles and taught us basic steps of New York Salsa. Step counts are 1-2-3-Shift-5-6-7-Shift. Here are the steps:
* Displacement of feet is around 6-10 inches.
* We have to concentrate on our legs, and let our waist follow the moves (just opposite to Merengue).
0 – Male partner starts with weight on straight right leg.
1 – Left leg moves forwards, with weight shifting on it. Left leg is placed flat. Right leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
2 – Weight shifts back on right leg and its heel touches the ground. Left leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
3 – Left leg comes back in-line to right leg, without any weight shift. Weight remains on right leg, forefoot of left leg touches ground and heel remains up.
Shift/Pause – Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg. Left leg’s heel now touches ground and weight goes on it. Right leg’s heel gets lifted a bit, but forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
5 – Above four steps are repeated, but with different leg now. Right leg goes backwards, placed flat, with weight shifting on it. Left leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
6 – Weight shifts back on left leg and its heel touches the ground. Right leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
7 – Right leg comes back in-line to left leg, without any weight shift. Weight remains on left leg, heel of right leg remains lifted and forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
Shift/Pause – Weight is shifted from left to right leg. Right leg’s heel now touches ground and weight goes on it. Left leg’s heel gets lifted a bit, but forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
Video showing different hand holds is:
It was very easy to follow the basic steps. Instructor asked us to wear casual dress and leather shoes with some heels, from next class onwards. Girls were asked to buy special salsa dance shoes. In Pune, girls can get Salsa dance shoes at Gossip in Kalpataru Arcade on MG Road. Sonal got her pair in 580 bucks; very very costly when seen in the context of their ugliness, but Sonal said that they are extremely comfortable and she has to wear them only for beginner’s course only.
First day was Latin dance demonstration class. Instructors showed us various types of Latin dance styles and taught us basic steps of New York Salsa. Step counts are 1-2-3-Shift-5-6-7-Shift. Here are the steps:
* Displacement of feet is around 6-10 inches.
* We have to concentrate on our legs, and let our waist follow the moves (just opposite to Merengue).
0 – Male partner starts with weight on straight right leg.
1 – Left leg moves forwards, with weight shifting on it. Left leg is placed flat. Right leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
2 – Weight shifts back on right leg and its heel touches the ground. Left leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
3 – Left leg comes back in-line to right leg, without any weight shift. Weight remains on right leg, forefoot of left leg touches ground and heel remains up.
Shift/Pause – Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg. Left leg’s heel now touches ground and weight goes on it. Right leg’s heel gets lifted a bit, but forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
5 – Above four steps are repeated, but with different leg now. Right leg goes backwards, placed flat, with weight shifting on it. Left leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
6 – Weight shifts back on left leg and its heel touches the ground. Right leg’s heel gets up a little bit.
7 – Right leg comes back in-line to left leg, without any weight shift. Weight remains on left leg, heel of right leg remains lifted and forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
Shift/Pause – Weight is shifted from left to right leg. Right leg’s heel now touches ground and weight goes on it. Left leg’s heel gets lifted a bit, but forefoot keeps on touching the ground.
Video showing different hand holds is:
It was very easy to follow the basic steps. Instructor asked us to wear casual dress and leather shoes with some heels, from next class onwards. Girls were asked to buy special salsa dance shoes. In Pune, girls can get Salsa dance shoes at Gossip in Kalpataru Arcade on MG Road. Sonal got her pair in 580 bucks; very very costly when seen in the context of their ugliness, but Sonal said that they are extremely comfortable and she has to wear them only for beginner’s course only.
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