Tips for Bachata Dancers
Bachata is a beautiful dance and there are some easy ways to improve your dancing at all levels. I wish I was told these tips when I was learning Bachata. After reading the tips for Bachata dancers, you can see many of them in action if you check out my YouTube channel, Toronto Dance Salsa.
Body Trails for Beginners
In the second class of Bachata Level 1, we teach trails. These are the most important connection points in Bachata. The most basic trail that Leaders must learn is when turning to their left they place the follower’s 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. So my best tip for beginning Bachata Dancers is to learn trails. If you always know where your partner is, Bachata dancing becomes much simpler.
Natural Tops for Intermediate Bachata Dancers
Do you know the scene in Beauty and the Beast where they are dancing in the hall and swaying to a waltz? In Bachata, we call that a Natural Top. The Leader and Follower lean away from each other and use each other’s bodies as anchors and spin. We teach different variations of the Natural Top in Bachata Level 2. An easy way to think about it is to imagine you and your partner are creating the letter V with your bodies. So your pelvises are close together and your upper bodies are leaning away from each other. Learning the Natural Top is a great tip for Intermediate Bachata Dancers because you will flow and look effortless and smooth on the dance floor.
Musicality for Advanced Bachata Dancers
Musicality is essential for Advanced Bachata Dancers. Musicality is when a Leader and Follower react to the changes in the songs (vocals, instruments) and adjust their tempo, energy, and moves accordingly. We have all seen great hip-hop dancers in videos. They are using their body to express the song lyrics and music. That is what you have to do in Bachata. In our school, we call that Bachata Musicality. It is 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. And flowing together with your partner is what Bachata dancing is all about.
Whether you are just beginning your Bachata journey or are a more seasoned veteran of Bachata, these tips will help you be more confident while dancing. And I can’t wait to see you on the dance floor and try out these moves with you.
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