Salsa: Level 1 Part 3
Inside Turn
“Dance for yourself. If someone understands, good. If not, no matter. Go right on doing what interests you, and do it until it stops interesting you.”
Welcome to Salsa Secrets Level 1 Part 3 Online Course. We are honored to have you with us for another round! 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 1 Part 3 Salsa
Our philosophy as a dance company is not based upon the information, but rather, the experience. Thus, the aspect of vibrational resonance is primary within our company as it supports the idea of music and dance as modalities of healing. We are going to present to you all the tools you need to develop excellent salsa dance technique. In order for this natural development to occur, you must practice. Your muscle memory will develop more and more as you repeat the movements. That said, we don't want you to become hyper focused upon the steps as the dance offers so much more.
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 Vulnerability
Dance makes us feel vulnerable! This is a really, really good thing. Sure, it can be frightening at first, but if we allow ourselves to fully experience the vulnerability and lean into it, not only will we become more in tune with the dance, but with our selves and in life. Vulnerability shines light upon the parts of us that we perceive as missing or lacking or not enough. It is a normal mechanism for us to protect ourselves and build up strength within to “overcome” such circumstances. And this serves us, it keeps us safe.
What if, rather than hardening, we softened?
What if rather than walking away, we approached?
What if, rather than holding our breath, we inhaled?
What if, rather than fighting against, we welcomed inward?
Level 1 Part 3 is a crucial moment for us to explore vulnerability for both the leader and the follower. The leader must step into the role of the Confident Creator. The follower must find inner strength and step into Femininity. That means, we must both set aside expectations for ourselves and each other and experience the now, openly and vulnerably.
Video Lessons
Video 1 - Movement Patterns Become Dance
We expand upon partnering combinations to include duos and trios. We develop the preparatory work for the inside turn for leaders and followers and we share the inside turn.
Partnering Duets
Right Turn, CBL
Hesitation Left, CBL
CBL, Right Turn
CBL, Hesitation Left
Partnering Trios
Right Turn, CBL, Hesitation Left
Hesitation Left, CBL, Right Turn
Inside Turn
Leader CBL Footwork & Lead
Follower Inside Turn Footwork
Sharing Inside Turn Together
Important Concepts
Developing plasticity within the brain
Various ways to combine movements/puzzles
Knowing the movements rather than memorizing patterns
Choosing movement sequences
Visualize the movement before applying the movement
Cross Body Lead Exercise
Project Runway Exercise
“Enjoy the ride, just do your thing!” We are beginning with some familiar movements such as cross body lead, right turn and hesitation left. We want you to tune into the details that we’ve covered in the previous chapters such as grounding your energy with your feet on the floor, maintaining posture, being aware of alignment - the concept of the box, spotting, and respecting the connection. We will combine the movements into duos and trios. We encourage you to spend some time practicing the duos and trios in anyway you can come up with.
The cross body lead exercise is beneficial for leaders and followers. The more that we practice a particular pattern, the more our body gets to know that pattern. When we use the idea of the cross body lead as an exercise, we can begin to let our brain to drift toward something else for example a conversation. As our body continues to practice the footwork even with our attention upon something else, we test our muscle memory and develop stronger and stronger motor pathways in our brain. This gives us a great advantage when we are dancing, especially as a leader, we can think less about what to do with our feet and more about the lead we want to offer and how we will be creating the dance.
Our Project Runway exercise is extremely useful for developing balance, foot placement on the floor, spotting and strengthening all of our rotations. We want to be certain that we are creating half turn pivots, advancing forward in order to mimic the turns of salsa dancing. We also want to be aware of our alignment. Our pivots should occur in a straight line. Feel free to practice 1 pivot, 2 pivots and 3 pivots until each feels comfortable to you.
As we introduce the new movement topic for this series, the inside turn, take your time to get to know the inside turn. Try not to let it overwhelm you. Break it down piece by piece and let your body slowly interpret the movement, over time. The inside turn is where we can feel that vulnerability and fear on both ends. Try your best to turn into it and allow your most vulnerable parts to experience this part of the dance.
Leaders, take note of the similarities and differences between Cross Body Lead and Inside Turn Lead:
Cross Body Lead
Cross Body Lead Footwork
Right to Left Invitation between 3 and 5
Left to Right at waist height
Inside Turn
Cross Body Lead Footwork
Right to Left Invitation between 3 and 5
Left to Right halo above her head
Notes:
Leaders, we cannot turn for the follower, no matter how much we want to! We can only guide!
Be aware of where the follower’s footwork is aligned. The lead must be congruent with her footwork.
Dance within the cup (hook) of her hand with your hand.
Halo is there to support her.
Advance your footwork with her throughout the turn.
Followers, take note of the similarities and differences between Cross Body Lead and Inside Turn:
Cross Body Lead
Half of the Basic Step (1,2,3)
Shift weight onto the Left foot on 5
Just after 5 half a turn pivot on the left
On 6, step back
On 7, step back
Into 1 (step back) with the right
Inside Turn
Half of the Basic Step (1,2,3)
Shift weight onto the Left foot on 5
Just after 5 half a turn pivot on the left
On 6, half turn on the right
On 7 half turn on the left
Into 1 (step back) with the right
Notes:
Inside Turn occurs within the box , stay in a straight line as you pivot.
Do not rush through the pivots.
Keep the hook on your fingertips in order to maintain the connection throughout the dance.
Keep the elbow at 90* during the pivots.
Spotting your partner throughout your pivots helps you to relate, maintain balance, and focus on the current task.
As we put together the movement for the leaders and the followers, make sure to each focus upon your responsibility. The movement is just a movement. The way you experience the movement is what is the most important. Have fun, play with the movements. Go after the experience, the technique will develop!
Video 2 - Inside Turn Partnering
We expand upon the Inside Turn.
Partnering Duets
Inside Turn, Hesitation Left
Right Turn, Inside Turn
Inside Turn, Right Right
Partnering Trios
Right Turn, Inside Turn, CBL
Inside Turn, Hesitation Left, CBL
Inside Turn, Right Right, CBL
Important Concepts
Synchronize responsibilities
Respect the timing
Leaders, fix the connection
Leaders, know where you are going
Each movement is its own puzzle
There’s another wave every time we find the 1 in the music
“Find a way to celebrate your accomplishments!” We start off by playing with some duets with our new toy, the Inside Turn. We shared with you three duet patterns, but we encourage you to try them in different patterns as well. Perhaps, you can try:
Inside Turn, Right Turn
Hesitation Left, Inside Turn
Right Right, Inside Turn
Followers, continue to work on grounding your feet, engaging the abdomen and spotting. This will all help your Inside Turn alignment, balance and the outcome.
Let’s take a moment to talk about the tempo of the music. We love sharing the dance through music at a slower tempo. Students have said to us many times over the years, “It’s so hard to dance to slow music!” They are one hundred percent correct. We love teaching at a slower tempo because it encourages you to learn and develop true technique, understanding and a foundation for dance to build upon. Our own students and students who danced with other companies for many years and then began with us always express how much they appreciate from the learning process at this tempo. If you’re craving faster tempo and momentum, trust the process, have a look inside your dance and inside yourself. There is always something to work on and something to develop, especially at the fundamental level! Give yourself time to enjoy the dance!
As we progress into trios, we should feel comfortable with the majority of the movements such as hesitation left, right turn and cross body lead. We will use the comfort of these movements to support the development of the inside turn into combinations of movements. Think of the inside turn as the centerpiece for a dance sequence. It is extremely important for the leaders to know where they plan to take the dance ahead of time. In other words, to develop an internal GPS for the dance.
In addition to the trios we shared, we can also play with:
Right Right, Inside Turn, Hesitation Left
Hesitation Left, Cross Body Lead, Inside Turn
Right Turn, Inside Turn, Hesitation Left
Inside Turn, Cross Body Lead, Inside Turn
And any others you can come up with!!
Again, we encourage you to find your own patterns, mix them up and play with all that is possible. This will help you to gain greater insight into each element which gives you access to the full spectrum of the dance.
Video 3 - Salsa Footwork & Duet Patterns
Footwork Patterns
Basic Step
Side Step
Quarter Beat Steps
Triplets
Right Turn
Hesitation Left
Crossed Side Step
Double Cross
New Footwork
Grapevine
Half of the Grapevine
Duet Patterns
Right Turn & Grapevine
Half of the Grapevine 2x
Right Turn & Triplets
Quarter Beat Steps & Double Cross
Grapevine & Half of the Grapevine
We want to encourage you to try more duet patterns on your own:
Quarter Beat Steps & Grapevine
Triplets & Half of the Grapevine
Grapevine & Hesitation Left
Half of the Grapevine & Right Turn
The possibilities of combinations continue to become greater and greater! Have fun creating your own combinations of movements. Don’t forget to think about the entrance and conclusion of each movement and what those feel like within your body.
Good Habits to Emphasize for Level 1 Part 3:
Followers
Wait for the guidance of the leader
Respect the box
Spotting
Pivots = half, half and half
Support and accept your leaders
Leaders
You are responsible for only half of the dance
You offer gentle guidance
Be mindful of knowing what you want and carry it out when you’re ready
Practice Tracks - 105bpm
Sunday On Island
Let’s Dance
A Little This, A Little That
All Composition & Arrangement by: Piotr Kowalczyk
Note: As a courtesy to Salsa Secrets, please use these videos tracks for personal use only. They are available exclusively to attendees of our Level 1 Part 3 Students. Thank you for your compliance.