What NOT to do when dancing Bachata
Everyone loves Bachata simply because of its sensuality and intimacy. Beginners are often anxious to learn the dance as fast possible since it looks much less complex than all those fancy salsa turn patterns. But there is more than meets the eye when it comes to dancing Bachata, here are three things you should avoid if you want to look good on the dance floor.
Respect the lady
The lady is one who should initiate intimacy, not the man. If you realise that you’re leaning in to your partner, yet she is subtly pulling away from you, then GET THE HINT. Don’t keep pulling the lady close to you throughout the dance, perhaps she is just not comfortable with you yet, so respect her space and give her some time. Same goes when shoving your leg in between the lady’s thighs, if she is not reciprocating, then give her space.
Most women, being the romantic creatures they are, usually fantasize about dancing Bachata with that special someone. While most women will still oblige when a stranger or acquaintance asks them for a dance, do not expect them to be totally at ease with you immediately. Most Asian women tend to be a little more conservative, especially if they are newbies. But if they lady doesn’t mind the intimacy, then go ahead and turn up the heat!
Jerking your entire body
Bachata is not as easy a dance to master as it appears. It looks like a simple take a few steps to the right, then to the left and some overall movement of the hips. However, the beauty is in the movement of hips, which requires a certain amount of body isolation. Remember, it’s a movement of the hip, not the jerk of the body that makes Bachata so beautiful to watch.
One should definitely practice hip movement in front of the mirror in order to master the basic step. When practicing your hip isolation, ensure that no other part of your body should be moving, other than your hip. If you realise your shoulder is moving along with your hip, then you are using the wrong technique. It is important to find a good instructor who can break down the hip isolation for you. Any instructor can teach you how to hold you partner close and look intense but only a good one can teach you the right technique.
Bending your knees too much
For some, it seems like that a quick fix for accentuating the hip movement could be bending the knees. Naturally, the more you bend, the more your hips seem to move when you straighten your knee. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the movement comes from your hips. Remember, technique is all important, period.
Bending your knees too much can also distort one’s posture, especially for the ladies. It is important for the ladies because you don’t want to look like your squatting and clinging on to your partner like a Koala. Ladies should always be aware of their posture and maintain their poise and elegance.
Remember, the right technique coupled with an understanding of the music is what makes a Bachata dance beautiful to watch.
CREDIT: DANCECHIC
