Coordination
- Thread starter SalsaNerd
- Start date
Shadow dancing really is the best way to get better at this kind of coordination. Have you tried doing it without music? You can practice stepping and doing the hand/arm motions without thinking of the beat. In time, it will be internalized into muscle memory.
This is a basic skill that should be drilled by your instructor.
This is a basic skill that should be drilled by your instructor.
Maybe I just need to shadow dance a LOT more, but whenever I think that I am ready to dance a combo to music, it just breaks down because either I can step in time or I can move my arms correctly but NEVER BOTH at the same time in time. It makes me think that despite having taken a bunch of classes that I am still in a way a pre-beginner, because my coordination is so bad. I even looked at some generic dance coordination videos and had the same problem: could move the feet fine, and the arms, but not both. Whatever connection needs to be made in the brain just has not been made yet (if it even can be). Just wondering if it is even possible in my case makes me despondent because I recently got to a point where I realized that I was ready and prepared to put in the work in terms of practice outside of class.
Do a lot of footwork and pay attention how your steps sync with music, what rhythmic patterns they create. This will be your foundation and your metronome. Drill that to music you like and to music that's played in your parties. What matters is that you focus on getting them solid and smooth till it becomes automatic. Sync your movements to music, then music will keep time for you.
Then in partnerwork pay attention to body positioning during the moves. Both your body and your partners. This will make a difference between something working out easily or impossible to lead/follow. Figure out where you have to be and let your feet bring you there.
Notice, I didn't mention arms yet?
What you do with arms mostly depends on getting timing right, being in right position, and having a 3d imagination. If you can't do complicated movements, do simple first, but keep that groove solid with the rest of your body. Eventually it becomes automatic and you can add layers of complexity. Or just make stuff up and be confident that your feet will carry you.
Then in partnerwork pay attention to body positioning during the moves. Both your body and your partners. This will make a difference between something working out easily or impossible to lead/follow. Figure out where you have to be and let your feet bring you there.
Notice, I didn't mention arms yet?
What you do with arms mostly depends on getting timing right, being in right position, and having a 3d imagination. If you can't do complicated movements, do simple first, but keep that groove solid with the rest of your body. Eventually it becomes automatic and you can add layers of complexity. Or just make stuff up and be confident that your feet will carry you.
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This is a question of developing muscle memory.
Try this exercise:
Shadow dance each move with just the feet. No arms. You can look down at your feet but your goal should be to not have to look down. Perform it as many times as possible until you can do it with your eyes closed. Then add music. Do it even more times with music. Your goal is to continue doing this exercise until you basically don’t need to think about where your feet are, nor look at them, all while the music is playing. Take as much time as you need. I suggest doing it every day to reinforce the muscle memory.
You can also string moves together this way while still only doing footwork.
What you’ll notice is that most basic moves will have similar footwork, such as rIght turns. Left turns. Enchuflas. Open breaks. Crossbody Leads. Dile Que Nos. There aren’t a ton of footwork patterns to memorize. But you do have to memorize them and commit them to muscle memory.
Once you feel comfortable with your feet, then and only then add the arms. Your brain won’t be as focused trying to coodinate both arms and feet since the feet will be moving - hopefully - on autopilot.
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