Salsa DVDs by Sebastian
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The following Salsa DVDs are available for purchase in the studio (before or after class time), and will soon be available for order online. As quantities are limited, please send me an email (...or phone, or tell me in person) to pre-order your DVDs.
This DVD lesson covers the footwork and patterns we teach in our Beginner Salsa Levels 1, 2 & 3. This instructional DVD is meant to supplement the material learned in our group classes, however, it is also designed for the complete non-dancer to use as a "stand-alone" tool for learning salsa. In other words, we'll take you from the very basics and onward to leadable-patterns for social dancing! In essence, the DVD is organized into four different topics: (1) fundamentals, (2) beginner social dance patterns, (3) dips, and (4) pattern building (...adding variety/styling with intermediate patterns for beginners). The fundamental lessons are divided into three separate sections: basic steps, cross body lead, and beginner turns. In these sections, the steps are broken down slowly and separately for men and women. We then try the steps with counts. Next, there are three different sections where we use the fundamental steps & turns for partner-work (i.e. "turn patterns"). The "patterns" we teach during the beginner stages are not "choreographed patterns" -- rather, they are leadable dance moves that can be led or followed by anyone with knowledge of the basics. In salsa level 1, the patterns are all about basic Right-Turns for leaders & followers. In level 2, we deal with traveling turns (left turns, inside turns, outside turns) and how to use these turns in combination. In level 3, we deal with the more challenging dance moves for beginners: hammerlocks, wraps, & ochos (figure eights)! No salsa learning program would be complete without Dips! So, we have included an entire section on the basic Dip for social dancing. This section includes the steps and techniques for both leaders & followers. We also take this simple Dip further and teach you how to add variety & style to the Dip. This part of the course is usually where students have the most fun! We do provide the techniques for executing Dips safely -- so please practice your Dips carefully before trying them out on the dance floor! Our last section on the DVD is about taking the previous lessons to the next level -- we provide a glimpse into intermediate level patterns. Again, we do not just teach patterns for the sake of teaching patterns. The patterns are merely a means to an end: this final section is really about learning to add variety to your patterns, and about improving your overall dancing. First we teach you a beginner level turn pattern (a "frisbee" pattern) based on the essential salsa steps and turns. Then we teach the same pattern at the intermediate level, but with three variations of increasing complexity & styling. With this approach, we are certain you will strive towards reaching higher levels of your dance! Have fun with it!! Upcoming Salsa DVD Titles: I have two more DVD salsa lessons in the works. The next one will be "Footwork, Spins, & Body Motion". This second DVD is all about the solo dancer -- and how to use your solo dance skills during partnering! Solo dancing (e.g. shines) is often one of the neglected parts of the average salsa dancer (especially here in Vancouver). All too often, we focus only on the patterns...and what happens: we end up looking like emotionless, uninterested (and uninteresting) robots on the dance floor! I know this is true, because I see it all the time...and I have gone through this stage myself on several occasions. Yes, patterns are part of social dancing (that's what makes it interactive and fun). But a major part of dancing is actually: "dancing"! Being able to dance with the melody of the music, as if your body is the music, should be the goal for every dancer (i.e. whether doing shines or partner-work). This musicality comes from three dance skills: footwork, spins, and body motion. In this "Footwork, Spins, & Body Motion" DVD, I'll provide you with the variety, techniques, and fun factor for these three skills to help take your dancing to the next level! The third DVD (and final one?), will take us back to our partnering work, but at the intermediate and advanced levels. We will not only teach an exciting and challenging set of patterns, but also provide the techniques and styling that will help you master your dance! Stay tuned for these titles over the next year!...(it does take time to film and edit these videos, after all) See you on the Dance Floor!! --Sebastian |
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