Salsa: Level 2 Part 1
Basic Resistance
“Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.”
Welcome to Salsa Secrets Dance Academy, Salsa Level 2. We are honored to have you with us. Included in your class is 3 Video Lessons and 3 bonus Audio Tracks. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at:
dance@salsasecrets-portsmouth.com
Introduction
Level 2 Salsa
In Level 1, we develop the foundational concepts of salsa dancing and hopefully you’ve developed a sense of confidence with the basic cable. For leaders, that means providing clear messages and being in the driver’s seat of your creation. For followers, it means receiving the dance and responding with ease and presence. Level 2 builds upon the foundation and gives you an opportunity to increase you skill repertoire while building new foundational components that will serve the current curriculum and what lies ahead.
How to Work with the Lessons
The lessons progress from one movement to another. It is recommended that you pause the video lessons and work with each component individually for a period of time, until it feels comfortable and then move onto the next component. We've included some practice audio tracks of music at an appropriate learning tempo for you to spend time with. There is no need to rush. Practice is the key to expanding your dance repertoire and your muscle memory for the movement patterns.
The Unity
When we let go of the part of us that wishes to take control, we can settle into a space of just being. When we can do this as one, it becomes possible to do as two. Salsa is a dance of partnership. We enter into a contract together, each time we step onto the dance floor. The contract is one of unification. It starts with the musicians collaborating in rhythm and harmony. The sounds are there for us to connect with and so is our partner. When we move as one with each other and the music, magic happens.
Video Lessons
Video 1 - Basic Cable Review & Basic Resistance
Partnering Review - Spoiler Alert
Review 1: Cross Body Lead | Hesitation Left | Inside Turn
Review 2: Outside Turn | Cross Body Lead | Hesitation Left
Review 3: Right Turn | Inside Turn | Right Right
Review 4: Inside Turn | Outside Turn | Hesitation Left
Review 5: Outside Turn | Hesitation Left | Inside Turn
Basic Resistance Salsa Secrets
Engage the abdomen
Connect abdomen to abdomen with your partner
Think about a bungee cable between you that expands and contracts
The knees and elbows always maintain a bend to promote the recoil
Keep your body aligned - think of a plank exercise - don’t arch your back or stick your butt out
When stepping back remember the concept of a stool chair
Remember: Dancing is about being smooth with your moments, never jerky or erratic. You want to maintain flow even when you engage in resistance movements.
Video 2 - Around the World
Around the World Salsa Secrets
Around the World should feel, just as the name suggests, like an exhilarating journey around the world, in 8 counts.
Leaders and followers
Perform your footwork in harmony with your partner, even though their footwork is very different
Importance of the close connection - elbow to elbow
Resistance occurs with the Left to Right Connection
Leaders
Step out of the box on 7
Resistance on 1 - Concept of Stool Chair
At the end of ATW, dip into the box on 1 before CBL
Followers
Your footwork is a mini Right Turn
Step forward on 5
Wait until just after 5 to pivot
Be the ‘axle of the wheel’
Initiations
Basic Step into ATW
Cross Body Lead into ATW
Leaders, since you are already outside of the box on CBL, stay outside and create resistance
Hesitation Left into ATW
Break down the puzzle: HL on 1,2,3, basic 5,6, stepping out on 7
Resolutions
ATW - CBL, remaining in Close Connection
ATW - CBL, sliding out into Open Connection
ATW - inside Turn, reconnecting into Close Connection (find the left shoulder blade)
ATW - Inside Turn, sliding out into Open Connection
Around the World Choreography
Hesitation Left, Outside Turn, Hesitation Left - Leaders, Around the World into Inside Turn sliding out into open connection, Right Right into Close Connection, Cross Body Lead sliding out into open connection
Video 3 - Shoulder to Shoulder
Shoulder to Shoulder Salsa Secrets
Shoulder to Shoulder changes the position and the angle with flare! It gives us access to lots of possibilities and energies.
Leaders and Followers
Perform your footwork in harmony with your partner, even though their footwork is very different
Resistance occurs with the Right to Left Connection
Resistance releases and comes together on 2
Followers
Footwork is half of the basic step, followed by cross body lead
Keep the elbow relaxed as the leader transitions
Maintain alignment within the box
Leaders
Resistance on 1
Stepping toward the Right Side on 2
We will face the same direction as the follower on the count of 3
Bring arms down after 3
Initiations
Basic Step into STS
CBL into STS
Resolutions
Cross Body Lead
Leaders, guide with a gentle whip between 3 and 5
Inside Turn
Leaders, present the hand just after 3
Followers, connect with the hand after beginning your pivots, when you spot the leader on 6
Both don’t grab for the hand, wait for the natural connecting point
As always, remember to respect the swing. TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL TOGETHER!
Be discerning with the momentum, half rotation, 1.5 rotations,
Shoulder to Shoulder Choreography
Inside Turn, Outside Turn, CBL, Shoulder to Shoulder, IT, Right Right, CBL
Differentiation
Around the World
Left to Right Connection
Leader: stepping out to the LEFT
Shoulder to Shoulder
Right to Left Connection
Leader: stepping out to the RIGHT
STS & ATW Choreography
Around the World, Inside Turn into Close Connection, Right Turn Close Connection sliding out, Shoulder to Shoulder, Inside Turn Hesitation Left Leaders
Shoulder to Shoulder, Inside Turn, Right Turn, Hesitation Left, CBL, Around the World, Inside Turn, Right Right
Practice Tracks - 114 bpm
All Composition & Arrangement by: Piotr Kowalczyk