Can You Learn Bachata Alone?
You can absolutely learn Bachata alone. Bachata is a lot of fun to do solo. Mostly because it is easy to pick up and the music is a lot of fun. Here are three things to keep in mind when learning Bachata solo.
Remember Three Steps and a Tap
To pick up the Bachata steps, you just need to bring your feet together. You take your left foot, and step to the side on count one. Then bring your right foot in on count two. You take your left foot and step out again on count three. Then you tap, with your toes, with your right foot on four. Remember the last one is a tap. Don’t bring down your heel. That way you will know which direction to go in next. That is considered half a basic, and then you rinse and repeat as you go back to home base. So this time start to the right with your right foot on five, bring your left foot in on step six, step to the right on seven and bring your left foot in and tap on eight. Congratulations! You have completed your Bachata basic.
I love it because you can do this anywhere.You can do this while you’re cooking. You can practice your basic steps on a subway platform, while watching tv, in an elevator. Absolutely anywhere. It is super easy to pick up. I love it!
Turns are Fun and Super Easy to do Solo!
You don’t need a partner to pick up a Bachata turn. But you will definitely need to learn turns. The good news is they are super easy. The easiest way to practice is to stand in front of a mirror or a wall where you have about two to three feet of space to spin. Now find a focal point – your reflection, a painting, a shelf, it doesn’t matter. Start by facing the focal point. Step with your left and keep twisting with your feet apart so you come back to face your focal point in three steps and then tap with your right.
That sounds confusing but it is easier than you think. Imagine when you were a kid. Did you ever used to just spin from one side of the room to the other? A Bachata turn feels like that. Or think of Maria from the Sound of Music dancing through a field of flowers. The turns are effortless and flow.
Instead of going on YouTube to learn random Bachata turns, I invite you to contact us or check our the Toronto Dance Salsa website. I regularly share videos where I explain the different moves we use in Bachata. I present them in a fun way and with the proper technique to be confident when dancing socially.
The Music is full of Love and Passion
Bachata music is great. Whenever I turn on Bachata music; It’s like I am at the beach with friends. It’s playful. It’s passionate, and nobody’s in a rush, right? The sun is setting. There’s a bonfire, your friends are out, and you’re just relaxing. There’s no work tomorrow. So I encourage you to get familiar with the music; you will love it. Look up artists like Prince Royce or Marc Anthony. Or check out the playlist on our website to hear some beginner friendly Bachata music.
And look, ultimately, the most fun you’ll always have is when you are connecting with others in your backyard with your friends or out of the studio. We are a social species. We want to come together, flow together, connect and #belong. I hope I get a chance to dance with you, to be your instructor, just to have you join our family.
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.
If you have any questions you would like me to answer here are some ways you can contact me: message me on Instagram (torontodanceSalsa), on Twitter (#torontodanceSalsa), on Facebook (Toronto Dance Salsa) or email me at [email protected].
