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See a Fantastic Example of Sharp Precision and Control,
from the Lightning-Quick Queen of Speed: Joanna Leunis

Dr Matt's Dance Class — Foxtrot Week Four

Here are the notes for each week's Foxtrot Lessons:
1    2     3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    pics

Hello Everyone:

It will be helpful to focus on doing the Chasse with Latin Motion, apart from learning the opposite Hip technique in the Hesitation. For now, stay focused on the Chasse until you get it. This is the harder technique to do, compared to Hip Motion & Body Sway we are doing in the Hesitation Step.

The Chasse isn't always danced with Latin Motion, it can be danced with "level" or "neutral" hips (and so can the Hesitation). We are adding Latin Motion to the Chasse to give it a stylish flair AND to lay a foundation for doing Latin Motin in the Latin Dances we will eventually learn: Mambo, Cha Cha, Rumba, and Samba.

Here is a detailed description for infusing Latin Motion into the Chasse Step (Side Together, Side Together) from a Guy's perspective:

Man's Footwork: Place the inside edge of the Left Foot sideward Left, with a bent Left Knee, while the Hips settle Right. It is important to note the word "place" as opposed to "step." Placing the foot means that you have not YET shifted your full weight over the "placed" foot. The word "step" suggests an immediate change of weight.

As you roll the "placed" Edge of the Left Foot to the Flat of the Left Foot (and from a Bend Left Knee to a Straight Left Knee), the Hips Rotate from Right to Left. This means that the Hips arrive at the Left Side one musical beat after the initial Edge placement of the Left Foot.

As you place (no shift of weight yet) the Right Foot "Together" next to the Left Foot (bending the Right Knee), the Hips rotate and settle to the Left Side. From here, as you shift full weight to the Flat of the Right Foot, (straightening the bend Right Knee), the Hips Rotate Right—at this same moment you place your Left Foot out to the Side . . . and the Chasse Step is repeated.

The word "settle" suggests a Hip position that rotates beyond neutral position. A settled Hip protrudes beyond a neutral alignment (neutral hips are aligned straight up and down). Jaana Kunitz provides a great demonstration of Hip Settling—click the Link below.

Here's an equal opportunity description of the Chasse with Latin Motion for the Ladies:

Lady's Footwork: Place the inside edge of the Right Foot sideward Right, with a bent Right Knee, while the Hips settle Left. It is important to note the word "place" as opposed to "step." Placing the foot means that you have not YET shifted your full weight over the "placed" foot. The word "step" suggests an immediate change of weight.

As you roll the "placed" Edge of the Right Foot to the Flat of the Right Foot (and from a Bend Right Knee to a Straight Right Knee), the Hips Rotate from Left to Right. This means that the Hips arrive at the Right Side one musical beat after the initial Edge placement of the Right Foot.

As you place (no shift of weight yet) the Left Foot "Together" next to the Right Foot (bending the Left Knee), the Hips rotate and settle to the Right Side. From here, as you shift full weight to the Flat of the Left Foot, (straightening the bend Left Knee), the Hips Rotate Left—at this same moment you place your Right Foot out to the Side . . . and the Chasse Step is repeated.

The word "settle" suggests a Hip position that rotates beyond neutral position. A settled Hip protrudes beyond a neutral alignment (neutral hips are aligned straight up and down). Jaana Kunitz provides a great demonstration of Hip Settling:

Watch Jaana Kunitz demonstrate the placement of the foot (as opposed to stepping) and the subsequent shift of weight & hip settling. Working on the Latin Motion technique in front of a mirror will be helpful. Watch a guy and girl dance Latin Motion in a Rumba Box Basic and Forward Walks.

Dance studios always have mirrors, so you can see what your body is doing. I know it's a frightening thought, but it is beneficial to stand in front of a full length mirror and watch your body while practicing Latin Motion—also called Cuban Motion.

We also worked on what I am calling "Flip Flops." Here's Matt and Kourtni doing a Foxtrot on "So You Think You Can Dance." You'll notice a Flip Flop to Pivot Combination at .30 and a Grapevine at 1.08 in this routine. Matt Dorame is one of the SYTYCD Dancers from Utah. This couple is dancing Foxtrot in a Sqq (Slow Quick Quick) Rhythm—as opposed to the Walk Rhythm we are learning.

Ladies, you can learn a lot from watching Jaana Kunitz:

1) Jaana does the Chasse with a Ronde to bring her feet Together
2) Watch her Arm Styling and how Hips protrude beyond Neutral
3) Here's some possibilities of Hip Motion and Arm Techniques to think about.

Watch Jaana perform a Samba with her husband, James. The Latin Hip Motion is there but because the Samba steps are fast, it hard to see it. Jaana and James do Samba Rolls from .47 to .57 in Closed Position, and then another set of Samba Rolls 1.03 to 1.09 in Shadow Position.

 :o)
Matt

Notes for Dr Matt's Ballroom Dance Class — Week Five

Hey Dance Fans, . . . have you read my review of the
most-watched television show of the summer,
So You Think You Can Dance ?

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