Posture & lose elbows

[PielCanela]

For what I understand my shoulders should firm, hands firm, and elbows loose.... am I correct ?? if that is the case any tips, ideas in how can I get my elbows lose ?? I feel like I have no control over them, people tell me they are not loose and I feel as if I am missing that muscle that is supposed to untied them ... tips ideas please please :roll:

Posture in salsa, does anyone have an idea of what is the goal in salsa, I been trying to stand up straight but now I think I over did it, because now I look like a stiff beginner .. In short how to I gain good posture, while having the fluidity of a salsero

 

[NYguero]

As far as posture, the rule is not to look shorter than you are, so stand up straight.
Firm shoulders? hmmm.... shoulders should be rolling constantly, so I don't think that fits the "firm" definition
Arms relaxed: it's easy. walk... your arms are not stiff, neither they lay inert; rather they constantly move matching the opposing leg to balance your weight. That's how relaxed they should be during the a dance, such that you don't think about them (I'm not saying to dance with your arms down like you're walking - just what "relaxed" feels like).
By the way, all arm movement is a result of the movement initiated in the shoulders. Never jiggle them around by themselves (you see most beginners doing this). The movement starts in the shoulders and it propagates naturally down the arms. (Of course I'm talking about the minimal effort movement of a basic step - any styling movements take actually mechanic work and thought put into it)
________

 

[praecantricis]

movement starts in the shoulders and it propagates naturally down the arms

My most recent salsa teacher (Susannah Montero) would probaby say that the movement starts with the ribcage which moves to the shoulders and then naturally down the arms....

When did dancing become this hard? I long for that 'unconscious imcompetance' phase that you have for about a week as a total beginner when you're just so excited to be getting the basic step half the time that you don't realise how totally crap you look.

 

[Pierre]

As a leader, there should be no movement in your arms when you are connected other than what is needed to signal your partner. Any spurious movement of the arms, especially between the elbow and the wrist, only dilutes your lead and makes it more difficult for the follower to interpret your signals.

By all means feel free to move your shoulders and/or ribcage as long as you don't transmit that movement down to your hands (this technique is called isolation).

As a rule, followers should never move their own arms when they are connected.

 

[Arc]

If you want to move the arms when shining, the movement must start from your elbows. If you're leading, don't do it.

A for general movement, the key is that body movement starts from the hips and knee-work (bend those knees!), not from your back, the shoulders, or the feet.

if you overdo it you'll look like a hip-hop dancer so be careful.

 

[NYguero]

If you want to move the arms when shining, the movement must start from your elbows. If you're leading, don't do it.

No No No. If you're shinning, the movement starts directly from the shoulders, or tracing it back a little more, like Prae pointed out, rib cage>shoulders>arms. It should never start from the elbows. Of course if you're dancing with someone, can't jiggle the arms, nor have spaghetti arms.
________

 

[africana]

As a rule, followers should never move their own arms when they are connected.

a "rule" i have broken with bad consequences, to my embarrassment ala elbow in the face :doh:

 

[borikenSalsero]

It is all about style and what you want to look like. However, do learn the most efficient possible way, then adjust it to whatever you wish.

I have an afrocuban stance, that means that I am shorter when I dance then when I stand up straight. That position is pre hustle, which is meant to enhance balance and body control for all that wild stuff rumba dancers do. The more afrocuban a song gets the lower I get to the floor, the more modern, the higher up I come…

As far as firmness, there should be no tenseness throughout the body, rather equal balance through opposite muscle groups. Meaning that your biceps should be as “relaxed” as your triceps creating balance…. Back as relaxed as abs, etc. The firmness though, I guess is best described as a skeletal firmness, where the skeleton is the on holding you up rather than the muscles. Not sure if that makes sense to you… tenseness is only applied when you need to act, so throughout the dance your muscles should always be as relaxed as they can be, but when you need them, bang, equal pressure starting from the core. Think of Bruce lee, the fastest possible way to move is by being relaxed, if you tense, muscles will fight one another instead of helping each other.

Stance, well, I think the best way to find out is to take a quick intro to ballroom. That intial stance is where all others originate, as it is really not a ballroom originating stance, but the body's natural stance... quickly, lean forward without bending the knees putting weight on the ball of your feet. Keep shoulders back but without applying too much pressure that you lose that relaxed state, head straight forward... from that you may adjust as you wish. It truly is as if you were about to take a step from a standing position with your shoulders in place and breathing through the stomach so that you don't have to worry about where your core is...

 

[peachexploration]

How's it going so far, Piel?

 

[PielCanela]

I been using all your guys/gals advice and now is just a matter of keep doing, and keeping the enthusiasm in the dance floor in check enough, to concentrate in putting all the knowledge in practice... which I enjoy very much