Bachata Toronto: 3 Tricks every dancer must know!
Whether you are a Bachatero or Bachatatera (Leader or Follower), it feels just the worst if you feel like you can’t keep up. I wish I was told these 3 must-do moves as a beginner, intermediate and advanced dancer. We teach all of these Bachata tricks in Toronto and you can’t progress to the next level unless you learn them. Visit our site to learn but in the meantime, you can Youtube these tricks and moves. So here are the 3 Tricks every dancer must know!
Beginners: Body Trails/Combinations
In Bachata Level 1 we teach in our very second class how to do trails. At the very basic level, these are the most important connection points. You start first with an open handhold in Bachata, move to a closed handhold, and then right into those sexy trails. The most basic trail that Leaders must learn is when turning to their left on count (1234) they place their followers’ hand on their stomach. One tip for every Follower is to make sure to never break contact with the trail. This helps the Leader know where you are when they have their back to you.
Intermediate: Connection/Natural Tops
Have you seen the movie Beauty and the Beast? That scene where they are in the large hall, dancing and swaying to a Waltz. That’s called a Natural top, where the Leader and Follower lean away during a Bachata song and use each other’s bodies as anchors and spin. We teach these variations in Bachata Level 2 and one big trick as you are learning is to keep your pelvis close and upper body leaned away. Imagine you create a lever V with your bodies.
Advanced: Musicality
If you are at the advanced level, then musicality is the most important thing. It can be confusing so think of it this way. Musicality is when a Leader and Follower react to the changes in the songs (vocals, instruments) and adjust their tempo, energy, and moves to the song. A simple way of thinking of it is to go on youtube and watch a great hip-hop dancer. What are they doing? They are using their body to express the song lyrics and music, that’s what you have to do in Bachata. In our school, we call that Bachata Musicality and its more important than any trick (like dips, neck rolls etc.). It takes a lifetime to master but every time you do it, you flow more and more.
I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you coming in week to week, having fun, connecting with new friends and letting loose to amazing Latin songs. Click here to check our current schedule.
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