Jai Chavan's "Dance-Sport" Email : [email protected] Or General Mailer

Information from other sources:

http://www.ballroombliss.com/Teknique/Tekpages/beginner.htm Person: Mr. Christopher Pilarchik, E-mail: [email protected]

Cuban Style (Basic in Rumba, cha-cha, Merengue, Mambo Movement)
These dances need an almost identical type of motion, Cuban style, in different combinations of quick and slow timing. Quick timing in Latin dancing is done with a sharp or staccato movement (a snap to get somewhere and then freeze once there). Slow timing is done more seductively which uses the smooth rolling or flowing movement.

The Story... Imagine yourself in a remote unknown area. The path is pot-holed and strewn with sharp rocks and thorns and the ground is loose. Your job is carrying a basket balanced on the head so you cannot look down.

Thus one cannot take a step confidently. So one would first balance on one foot, say the right foot. To move, one would first have to feel with the toe, the path and a place for the next step. One would need to slide the point of the free foot forward (left foot) with the toe touching to where one needs to step.

Once the path is clear, the need to test the ground arises, to ensure it will support the weight. So test some pressure on the spot. Stepping onto a slightly bent knee of the free foot, to ensure the ground is solid (still no true change of weight).

Now that it is know that the ground is firm, then the knee of the free foot (left foot) can be straightened transferring full body weight on to it. Then let the hip "settle" to relax to the left side. As the hip settles, the knee of leg (right leg) is allowed to bend naturally.

(Hint - the knees should always be opposite one another, as one is straightening the other is bending).