Rumba Walk technique - pro/am Latin dance teacher in Beverly Hills Oleg Astakhov
Summary
This video teaches a fundamental body action crucial for various dances like Rumba, Cha-Cha, Jive, and Samba. It emphasizes connecting the shoulder to the hip using the lats, activating the back muscles by squeezing the shoulder towards the hip without dropping the elbow. This action, performed on the 'and' counts, can be enhanced with rotation and rib cage stretch, guiding movement and leg pickup for fluid transitions and advanced styling.
Key Insights
Focus on the essential body action used across multiple dances.
The most important body action, applicable to Rumba, Cha-Cha, Jive, and Samba, is introduced. It requires a dancer to stay slightly behind their standing foot, with weight on the right foot and neutral hips.
Activate back muscles by squeezing shoulder to hip without dropping elbow.
Place the left arm with the elbow high. Squeeze the left shoulder towards the left hip, activating the lats. Imagine pulling something down, connecting the shoulder to the hip. This is the most important action.
Perform the 'squeeze' action on 'and' counts to connect steps seamlessly.
This action is performed on the count 'and'. As you arrive into a step, press down by squeezing the shoulder to the hip without breaking the side posture or dropping the elbow.
Enhance the core action with rotation and rib cage stretch for more expression.
While pressing down and connecting shoulder to hip using the back muscles, you can add rotation and extend the opposite rib cage for more dynamic actions like compress-and-stretch or diagonal stretch, all happening on the 'and' counts.
Use the body action to facilitate figures like the figure eight smoothly.
When performing a figure eight, transfer weight, press down, and connect the shoulder to the hip. Then, as the hip goes back, squeeze to change direction. Continue with a high chest and rib cage, using the side lead generated by the body action to guide the next step.
Extend movement on longer counts by maintaining the stretch and connection.
For longer counts like 'four-one', maintain the stretch and connection, potentially even with higher heels, without collapsing. This allows for a longer, more sustained extension rather than prematurely returning to a neutral position.
Progress to the next level by adding body direction to the 'and' counts.
Beginners can focus on just the 'and' counts. The next level involves adding body direction to these 'and' movements, making the transitions more purposeful and dynamic.
Initiate backward movement from a weight transfer and the 'and' action press.
To move backward, start by changing weight. Perform the 'and' count press, squeezing the shoulder to the hip, which rotates the hip and collects the leg, preventing it from just dangling. This body action is connected to stepping back on count 'two'.
Land high on steps and use the 'squeeze' to initiate forward slides.
Always land high on the step. On the 'and' count, squeeze and rotate, collecting the foot. Immediately after, you can slide forward on count 'three'. The same action applies to stepping forward on count 'one'.
The 'and' action inherently collects the leg for subsequent steps.
The 'and' count action, the squeeze, naturally collects the foot and leg, ensuring it is ready for the next step, rather than swinging loosely. This integrated body action makes steps like forward on 'two' more controlled.
Avoid collapsing or leaning sideways; maintain the connected, upright posture.
It is crucial to avoid collapsing or leaning excessively to the side, especially when executing steps like 'four-one' or any other movement. Maintain the connected, upright posture throughout the sequence.
Sections
The Core Body Action
Focus on the essential body action used across multiple dances.
The most important body action, applicable to Rumba, Cha-Cha, Jive, and Samba, is introduced. It requires a dancer to stay slightly behind their standing foot, with weight on the right foot and neutral hips.
Activate back muscles by squeezing shoulder to hip without dropping elbow.
Place the left arm with the elbow high. Squeeze the left shoulder towards the left hip, activating the lats. Imagine pulling something down, connecting the shoulder to the hip. This is the most important action.
Perform the 'squeeze' action on 'and' counts to connect steps seamlessly.
This action is performed on the count 'and'. As you arrive into a step, press down by squeezing the shoulder to the hip without breaking the side posture or dropping the elbow.
Enhance the core action with rotation and rib cage stretch for more expression.
While pressing down and connecting shoulder to hip using the back muscles, you can add rotation and extend the opposite rib cage for more dynamic actions like compress-and-stretch or diagonal stretch, all happening on the 'and' counts.
Applying the Body Action in Figures
Use the body action to facilitate figures like the figure eight smoothly.
When performing a figure eight, transfer weight, press down, and connect the shoulder to the hip. Then, as the hip goes back, squeeze to change direction. Continue with a high chest and rib cage, using the side lead generated by the body action to guide the next step.
Extend movement on longer counts by maintaining the stretch and connection.
For longer counts like 'four-one', maintain the stretch and connection, potentially even with higher heels, without collapsing. This allows for a longer, more sustained extension rather than prematurely returning to a neutral position.
Progress to the next level by adding body direction to the 'and' counts.
Beginners can focus on just the 'and' counts. The next level involves adding body direction to these 'and' movements, making the transitions more purposeful and dynamic.
Applying the Action to Forward, Back, and Side Steps
Initiate backward movement from a weight transfer and the 'and' action press.
To move backward, start by changing weight. Perform the 'and' count press, squeezing the shoulder to the hip, which rotates the hip and collects the leg, preventing it from just dangling. This body action is connected to stepping back on count 'two'.
Land high on steps and use the 'squeeze' to initiate forward slides.
Always land high on the step. On the 'and' count, squeeze and rotate, collecting the foot. Immediately after, you can slide forward on count 'three'. The same action applies to stepping forward on count 'one'.
The 'and' action inherently collects the leg for subsequent steps.
The 'and' count action, the squeeze, naturally collects the foot and leg, ensuring it is ready for the next step, rather than swinging loosely. This integrated body action makes steps like forward on 'two' more controlled.
Avoid collapsing or leaning sideways; maintain the connected, upright posture.
It is crucial to avoid collapsing or leaning excessively to the side, especially when executing steps like 'four-one' or any other movement. Maintain the connected, upright posture throughout the sequence.
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