Ballroom Latin Dance Made Convenient
How To Practice At Home And Elsewhere Without Going To A Studio
Jul 9, 2009
Very similar to the idea of an at-home gym, a Ballroom Latin dancer can actually work out the connection between joints and muscles at home and anywhere convenient without traveling to a studio. Since it is the body that needs to be worked out, there is no need for large floor space. What is required is to set up a practice corner possibly with non-carpeted floor and full-length mirror large enough for one or two bars of Rumba Walks or Cha Cha Walks here and there. The following are some exercises that are easy to follow but essential to all dance levels.
Suggested Practice Dance Exercises
- There is no need to follow any specific videos or DVDs. It is better to concentrate on just the basic techniques learned from the teacher.
- Shoulder Blade Exercise: Raise the right arm to an "L" shape and drop the left arm in an inverted "L". Then raise the left arm up to an L and drop the right arm while maintaining the downward L. Repeat the movements several times. Anyone can feel the shoulder blades working and connecting. The connection is much required in dancing any Ballroom Latin figures. After all, Latin dance figures and variations are made up of groups of basics. The purpose of this exercise is to strengthen the shoulder blade muscles. Given time and persistence, the back can easily be slimmed down.
- Rumba Walks Forward And Backward: The intention is to train up the flexibility of the hip and to work the figure-of-eight technique to muscle memory.
- Side Cucaracha: Again work the hip joint side-way and in a figure-of-eight and three-dimensional manner.
The whole idea of these exercises is to get the body trained up technically for all kinds of Latin or Cuban actions required for Ballroom Latin dancing in a relaxed environment. For practicing an entire dance routine, there is still a formal need to go back to the studio with a partner. There are however still many benefits of practicing or dance exercising at home alone.
Benefits Of Practicing At Home
- Keeping the body and muscles working all the time
- Saving time because there is no need to travel
- Being able to practice regardless of weather condition
- Not needing with a partner
- Being able to do it any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Being able to practice for any length of time
- Being able to memorize a dance routine better just by working out the body movements
- Avoiding embarrassment since the practice takes place at home
- Not needing to dress formally. Anything comfortable will serve the purpose
- Being in a more relaxed environment where you can listen to your own music
- Getting a good workout without going to the gym
- Learning to control the body through individual practice
- Paying no extra charges whatsoever
Practice Away From Home – Inside An Aircraft
Away from home, one can even practice on the plane while traveling long distance. Interestingly, one could actually practice an entire routine inside an aircraft without moving much. The way to do this is to plug in an iPod. Then find a spot outside the washrooms. As you listen to the music, try to imagine dancing a routine by just isolating the body and working the required muscles or joints without taking the actual steps with arms and legs.
For example, if the routine requires a Cucaracha step, just work out the shoulder blades and isolate the body as described earlier without moving the legs. Surprisingly, the body can be worked out a lot with the limbs still.
Apart from going to a studio, dancers can practice anywhere, any time if they know how.
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