Salsa: Level 2 Part 3
Variations of the Connection & Into the Loop
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. ”
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 Simple Pleasures
We’re now going to begin working with the Left to Left Connection and develop that connection into the movement called Into the Loop. As we progress more and more with the curriculum, we want our connection to be stronger than ever. That takes really being solid within ourselves. The single cross connections are much less stable, which means through pivots and new choreography movements, we have to be grounded and balanced especially as followers. As the connections and movements get fancier, there’s no way to survive as a follower without solid, strong foundation. Once we settle into ourselves, the simplicity of the dance becomes evident and we can experience more and more joy as we develop a greater repertoire.
Video Lessons
Video 1 - Left to Left Connection
Left to Left Connection
Cross Body Lead
Lead between 3 and 5
Invite the hand straight forward
Hesitation Left
Lead invitation between 3 and 5
Rebound with the Left Hand on 5
Right Turn
Raise the Left hand up, elbow parallel to the ground on 3
Between 3 and 5, zip to leader’s left (follower’s right)
Connection will be from the inside out after the turn, fix the connection 1, 2, 3
Inside Turn
Elbow Up
Lead between 3 and 5 into a wide turn to create momentum
Followers, stay in alignment within the box for the inside turn
Outside Turn
Raise the Left hand up, elbow parallel to the ground on 3
Sweep the hand toward the outside
Connection will be from the inside out after the turn, fix the connection 1, 2, 3
Right Right
Keep the hand up between RT RT
Hesitation Left Hesitation Left
Leaders, as you conclude your HL on 3, immediately bring the L to L across for the follower’s HL on 5
Followers, you may not be able to achieve rebound to 2 O’clock, use 12' O’clock
Transition from Open to Close
Leaders, drape the L to L over your head on 1, 2, 3 as you open up for CBL
Left to Left Connection Salsa Secrets
Whenever using single connections, because there is less stability, we must be very aware of the hook to hook connection. The hooks should dance freely within each other through the movements. This gives freedom for the dance to unfold.
Every piece of the basic cable is possible with the Left to Left connection. The lead varies just slightly. Pay attention to these details.
When sharing a puzzle, leaders there isn’t enough time to bring the hand down between movements. However, when taking the follower for sequential movements that begin on 5, there is time to drop the connection back to the abdomen level. This signifies the end of one puzzle.
Choreography
Left to Left Connection: Inside Turn, Right Right
Left to Left Connection: Outside Turn, Hesitation Left Hesitation Left
Left to Left Connection: Inside Turn, into CC CBL, slide out, basic, Outside Turn, into CC CBL, slide out
Left to Left Connection: Inside Turn, Right Turn, CC CBL, slide out
Demonstration Choreo
R to R: Right Turn, Inside Turn with the Neck Wrap, Outside Turn. Switch to L to L, Inside Turn, Right Turn, CC CBL, sliding out, Shoulder to Shoulder, Insider Turn, Hesitation Left Outside Turn. Switch to R to R, Inside Turn, Hesitation Left Leaders, Around the World, CC CBL, Hesitation Left
Video 2 - Into The Loop
Into the Loop Salsa Secrets
Into the Loop creates a stopping point for the follower as she transitions from one side to the other. Into the loop is a beautiful, playful movement to add to your dance.
Leader’s Footwork
CBL, CBL
Follower’s Footwork
Half of the Basic Step, Left Turn (1 full rotation on 5, 6) Shift weight forward on left foot 7
Step forward on 1, pivot half turn after the weight shift on 2, step forward (the new forward) on 3, finish with CBL
We step forward on 1 together, leader and follower
Left to Left Connection
Winds out and stays at the waistline
Connection wraps around hip
Followers, make sure the Right arm doesn’t get trapped, bring it up on your chest or opposite shoulder to start
Momentum for 1 rotation
Momentum should be the sweet spot between CBL (half) and Inside turn (1 and a half)
Leaders, allow the L to L Connection to naturally unwind the follower
Resolutions
CBL (based on L to L)
Inside Turn (based on L to L)
Outside Turn (based on L to L)
Inside Turn with the hand switch
switch from L to L to R to L
present the L connection for the follower to fill in with the R on 6
Into the Loop Choreography
Into the Loop with No Connection
Left to Left: Into the Loop
Left to Left: Inside Turn, Hesitation Left, Into the Loop, CBL
Left to Left: Right Turn, Into the Loop, Outside Turn
Left to Left: Into the Loop, Switch Hands: Inside Turn
Left to Left: Into the Loop, Switch Hands: Inside Turn, Hesitation Left, Outside Turn, Around the World, CBL, Shoulder to Shoulder
Practice Tracks - 120 bpm
All Composition & Arrangement by: Piotr Kowalczyk