[Perform-Talk] Fwd: [nabs-l] Dancing, Latino Style

Fri Jun 17 01:09:23 UTC 2016

Even sighted, written directions were not great for me. I prefer to learn by
doing while being instructed at the same time. However, several learning
styles exist, and many would probably love written directions. I think the
key is to always present things with more than one learning method.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2016 7:55 PM
To: perform-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: [Perform-Talk] Fwd: [nabs-l] Dancing, Latino Style

My question to you all...  Would directions like this presented in a written
format help you?  Always interested to hear strategies for learning dances
as a blind person.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joe via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:53:51 -0400
Subject: [nabs-l] Dancing, Latino Style
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joe <jsoro620 at gmail.com>

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

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