[nabs-l] Dancing, Latino Style

Fri Jun 17 00:45:49 UTC 2016

Thanks for sharing!  I will pass this along to the Performing Arts
Division list serve.  We're always looking for interesting discussion
starters.  :)  And we will be holding a dance seminar at convention...
More information about that later...  Ok, shameless plugging shall end
now.

On 6/14/16, Joe via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> In cleaning out crazy old emails, like way back from college old, I came
> across a note I thought you guys might find interesting. It might do you
> well if you plan on doing some Latin dancing in your near future. I have no
> idea who originally wrote the article. I only have the text in an email
> from
> a friend, so apologies in advance for the lack of credit. Anyway, I hope
> some of you find the step-by-step instructions interesting, and my
> apologies
> too for the crazy formatting. Tip: Just put that screen reader in Read
> All.--Joe
>
> Latin Dance Technique
>
> There is no intentional hip movement in any of the Latin dances. The hip
> motion is a natural consequence of changing weight from one foot to the
> other.
> Sub-consciously we do this when walking backwards. We feel for the first
> back step with our toe, roll onto the small of our foot and place our
> weight
> onto
> the leg, as we lower the heel.
>
> The Roll of the foot
>
> Unless the music is really slow (Bolero/Rumba) always take small steps. If
> the music is really fast (Salsa/Cumbia), max it at just a half foot length!
>
> When you step, whether forward, backward or side, step onto the inside ball
> of your foot (big toe), roll your foot onto the small ball (little toe) and
> imaging you are squashing a grape under your heel, place the foot flatly
> onto the floor, straightening the leg. If you have done this correctly,
> your
> body
> weight is now on the foot you have lowered and you should be able to stand
> on one leg without falling over.
>
> Knee Bends
>
> You shouldn't need to consciously bend your knee. Relax! As you change
> weight onto one leg the other leg should naturally bend at the knee and the
> heel
> of the foot raise. In the Latin dances whenever one leg is straight
> (bearing
> weight), the other should be bent. If this hasn't happened then your weight
> is probably centered. Simply shift your weight onto the appropriate leg. It
> may take a bit of practice to co-ordinate your movements. Try not to think
> about the isometrics, just let your body do what comes naturally.
>
> Hip Isolation
>
> Your weight should be focused into the middle of the foot. Sorry about the
> analogy but if you are in the correct position and I drove a pike through
> the
> middle of your skull, it would come down your spine, come out at the base,
> then penetrate the mid thigh, follow the leg skeleton down and come out the
> middle of your foot. If your weight was centered (incorrect position) the
> pike would come out between your legs. Simple fact of physics, center your
> weight
> and you won't be able to move either foot. To help isolate the hips and
> increase hip roll, turn your feet out in a V shape (heels closest together)
> and
> as you straighten your leg (change weight) bend the other leg toward the
> straightened leg. The hip roll looks more exaggerated if you keep the upper
> body
> steady (don't bounce around or sway the upper body about - it looks nerdy).
> There shouldn't be any perceivable rise and fall in the body. If there is,
> you are raising on the ball of the foot, instead of rolling the foot and
> lowering the heel - probably means you are not changing weight fully onto
> the
> leg. If you are swaying the upper body, it will throw both your timing and
> leads out (or in the case of the girl the acceptance of a lead), not to
> mention,
> probably annoy your partner. Girls seem to think they look sexy if they
> sway
> about but it looks really bad and is a mega turnoff for the guy. So don't
> do it!
>
> Leading and Following
>
> Its helpful to think of the Latin Dances as being sexual pantomimes. Even
> though the man leads the whole dance, the idea is that the man is trying to
> seduce
> the lady, he is pushing forward and she is pushing him away. So maintain a
> slight forward pressure with your body. If you are in hand to hand position
> the man keeps his hands/arms at the lady's hip height. If you are in closed
> dance position - the man's right hand should be just below the shoulder
> blade
> (thumb on the back bra strap), and his left hand gently takes hers in his -
> the lady must never place her right hand above the man's shoulder, if he is
> short she places her thumb on the intersection of the muscles just below
> the
> shoulder (he should have a little slot where it fits naturally), if he is
> tall then the lady positions her hand lower down the arm. Her aim is to
> have
> her elbow slightly above his. That way he can lead her. A simple rule for
> the man: if the girl is much shorter than you, stand further away from her.
> If she is much taller than you, stand closer. The cardinal rule is hold
> each
> other comfortably. Under no circumstances should you stretch to reach your
> partner.
>
> Arms and Elbows
>
> Try not to thrash your arms and elbows about. You'll look silly and
> probably
> cause an accident on the dance floor. The man should use his arms to tell
> the
> girl when to go back or come forward or whatever. Both need to keep some
> tension (pressure) in the arms, so the man can lead. A common problem is
> girls
> complain that guys can't lead. These girls should consider that maybe they
> aren't allowing the guy to lead. Typically, they, are the ones that sway
> their
> body about too much, flap their arms, bounce around, fake their hip
> movements and do not sustain hand/arm pressure when dancing. A guy can't
> lead dead
> fish, seagulls or bowls of jelly. Guys, even if you are a beginner, you can
> dance effectively, if you stand erect and keep a firm forward pressure on
> your
> partner.
>
> Stand Erect
>
> Although its useful to imagine the Latin dances as sexual pantomimes, that
> doesn't mean the man should be sexually aggressive. The dances should be
> performed
> with a hint of sexuality but remember, children maybe watching. Guys keep
> your upper body erect (that means from the waist up) and be gently
> aggressive.
> Girls and Guys, stand up straight, look at your partner. Enjoy yourselves
>
> --
> Musings of a Work in Progress:
> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>
> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>
>
>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7