Relaxed timing in LA Style?

[peachexploration]

I saw this excerpt from a website and it made me wonder. What is exactly is relaxed timing? :? Any LA Style aficionados out there?

From clubsalsa.com.au/danceinfo/LA.shtml:
How does LA style differ from other styles?
To start with, it does not focus on the complicated arm movements normally associated with the basic Cuban style. Additionally, the LA style turn patterns are normally "in-line", as opposed to "circular" in the Cuban style. LA style differs from the New York style in that the timing is more relaxed. New York style requires distinctly precise timing to execute all the checks and catches. Most importantly, however, is that many of the LA style moves are sexy and flamboyant, with lots of dips, spins, drops…enough to dazzle any spectator.

[azzey]

I saw this excerpt from a website and it made me wonder. What is exactly is relaxed timing? :? Any LA Style aficionados out there?

From clubsalsa.com.au/danceinfo/LA.shtml:
How does LA style differ from other styles?
To start with, it does not focus on the complicated arm movements normally associated with the basic Cuban style. Additionally, the LA style turn patterns are normally "in-line", as opposed to "circular" in the Cuban style. LA style differs from the New York style in that the timing is more relaxed. New York style requires distinctly precise timing to execute all the checks and catches. Most importantly, however, is that many of the LA style moves are sexy and flamboyant, with lots of dips, spins, drops…enough to dazzle any spectator.

I dance LA style, Cuban and NY styles. LA style is my major style which I have been dancing for 3 years now.

The timing is no more relaxed (whatever that means) in LA than it is in NY style. In fact LA style is more 'punchy' looking because the timing of the Cross Body Lead is step on 1,2,3,tap on 4,step on 5,6,7. So between 4 and 5 the girl has to quickly move across the guy. In NY style she has between 3 and 5 to take the same step. The LA style version looks more punchy. The NY style version more relaxed.

All the moves are accentuated in this way. NY style is more fluid and lazy looking because they prep for turns are earlier than in LA style. That's all.

The checks and catches are done on mostly the same beats in NY and LA style and obviously both require precise timing as both styles have complex moves and in fact share a common sylabus of turn patterns and technique.

[tj]

Being primarily an LA style dancer, my experience and opinions pretty much match what azzey said.

I've watched a lot of NY style since moving to the DC area, and it's quite remarkable how much similarity the upper levels of both LA Style and NY Style match.

I have no idea about what the original post about "Relaxed Timing" means. It's probably local to their scene. Similar to how you hear On2 dancers say that On1 dancers are never on beat or how LA Style is never in the slot. It's because of the level of dancer rather than the style. I find people confuse how a few people dance (sloppily) with how the dance is taught.

[salsachinita]

It's because of the level of dancer rather than the style.

INDEED.

I've seen robotic dancers across all styles :roll: .........

The 'punchyness' of L.A. style can be super smooth, with the same fluidity as great NY dancers.

Master level of Cuban style dancers can be as 'clean' as L.A. or N.Y......

[azzey]

It's because of the level of dancer rather than the style. I find people confuse how a few people dance (sloppily) with how the dance is taught.


I agree that's usually the case. The misunderstanding between NY and LA style dancers about (off-beat) timing though is a natural one considering there *are* timing differences of leads for turns. The problem is lack of awareness/tolerance between partners about how the other dances.

:lol: