And look at what my wife got me into: Salsa

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ifey got me into a Salsa school. It was something different. Something that I would never have tried if it wasn't for her. All she had to do was say "..errr they pair you up with other girls you know". So I joined,... because in my mind it sounded like "..errr they'll pair me (wifey of course) up with other guys you know"

Anyway, Salsa is good. It's refreshing. You don't hurt your muscles but you sweat a lot and burn those fat to the ground. It stretches your body, forces you to master your movement and coordination; and for some, it actually eliminates homophobic. It's funny that a lot of Malaysian guys fall into the trap of labelling dancing as anti-macho. In their mind, it has to be Rugby, Football, Wrestling and plenty of beer. I am a huge Rugby fan but I do poems, fine arts, music and have "tried" Salsa. If there is a chance, go to Brazil - those rough and tough footballer muscles,... huh.. they all dance Salsa fantastically. What is ironic about it is that, they really looked macho! - contrary to our (Malaysian guys) shallow believes.

Me and my wife used to practice at home in front of an audience (well, it was just our son who seems to enjoy watching us - back then he was only 2 years old). I sometimes got bored of the Beginners CD and ended up playing Santana's pieces. We managed to complete Stage 2 at the Salsa school in TTDI but decided to take a break for it was fasting month. That break became perpetual somehow - work and other commitment found their way in our schedule and what is left are just memories and my Salsa shoes in the store room. Sometimes I try those steps when Santana is in the air but I think it will remain as memory. I have prioritised to pursue my real passion in life - enrolled for guitar classes.

What triggered me to write about this is my Salsa notes that I accidentally found on my desk top. It's a waste if I don't share them with others. Readers would probably have no clue of what they mean but I am sharing it nonetheless:

SHINES

• Mambo
• Cucaracha
• Tempo Espana
• Victory Walk
• Right Turn
• Left Turn
• Joby
• Crossover
• Son
• Enchufla
• Hook Turn
• Suzy Q
• In/Out
• Flare
• Cuban break

ABBREVIATIONS

• w = with
• F = Female
• M = Male
• RT = Right Turn
• LT = Left Turn
• CB = Cross Body
• RtR = M right hand to F right hand
• LtR = M left hand to F right hand
• RtL = M right hand to F left hand
• Alrd = Alarde

PARTNER WORK: GENERAL

• Close Mambo
• Open Mambo
• Open Mambo LtR – F RT
• Open Mambo RtR – Alrd – Close Mambo
• Open Mambo RtR- Son break M left leg – F RT X 2
• Open Mambo LtR – Let go – F & M owns Shines
• Open Mambo – change hands to ballroom handhold at 1 – indicate flare at 7 – F does shines - CB when F flare

PARTNER WORK: RT + SURPRISE TURN + ALRD

• Open Mambo LtR
• F RT
• M RT
• F Surprise Turn
• F Alrd

PARTNER WORK: HAMMER LOCK

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• F RT – Hammer Lock
• CB LT

PARTNER WORK: ALRD ON M & F

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• CB Change RtR
• CB + Alrd on F + LtL + F LT
• M right hand on F right shoulder
• Alrd on M

PARTNER WORK: HAND FLIP + BUTTERFLY

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• CB LT w 2 hands
• F RT w 2 hands
• Flip F right hand
• F right hand on F left hand
• F RT w 2 hands
• Butterfly alrd

PARTNER WORK: HIGH 5

• Close Mambo
• CB LT
• M RT – hands High 5 w F
• Push from High 5 for F RT

PARTNER WORK: CB BLOCK

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• CB LT w 2 hands – F back facing M front Block position
• Tempo Espana Drop F left hand - F RT

PARTNER WORK: ROTI CANAI

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• CB LT w 2 hands
• M half RT w 2 hands overhead to right shoulder of M
• M right leg hook – F LT w 2 hands

PARTNER WORK: COPA

• Open Mambo LtR
• Change RtR
• LtL while RtR
• M left leg Son – F half LT
• M right hand on hips + left hand out reach w F left hand
• F LT X 2 - Both rotate 90 degrees to left

PARTNER WORK: TITANIC

• Open Mambo RtL + LtR
• CB LT w 2 hands – F back facing M front hands in Titanic position
• M hands on F shoulders
• F RT X 1 and half

PARTNER WORK: SLINGSHOT BLOCK

• COPA
• CB M right hand on F shoulder + M left hand Alrd on M - RtL
• M half RT w 1 hand overhead to right shoulder of M
• M right leg hook – F half LT w 1 hand – F back facing M front Block position
• Tempo Espana Drop F left hand - F RT

PARTNER WORK: BACKHAND DROP & PRESENTATION

• Open mambo LtR
• Son break M left leg – F RT – M ½ RT – F hands on M hips
• M another ½ RT grab F hands with the other hand
• M L hand grab F L hand – The RtR hands over F head to a “presentation” position
• At 6, F LT X 2 – F hands on her left shoulder
• At 3, F RT X 2

PARTNER WORK: CRADDLE

• Open Mambo RtR
• Grab LtL
• Son break M left leg – LtL hands overhead – F move forward – M cross to the other side w R leg first (couple now has done 180% turn)
• Both M & F Flare on left leg
• Break at 5 pull F hands at 6 – F free spin LT X 2




* kopihangtuah


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