Weight Change & Controlled Turns

[ShyDancer]

Hi :)

I was just wondering how you change weigh smoothly...especially in Cha Cha Cha ..I find myself over balancing alot in the open outs and during the turns ...(alamana sp :?: )
I dont know if its the weight Im not controlling or the turn itself...

Any Ideas or tips you can share?

[SDsalsaguy]

It sounds like you're commiting too much of your body weight forward... although it's hard to say without seeing what's actually happening. Be sure not to let your center and/or head pass your front foot. Nose over toes as the saying goes... :wink:

[ShyDancer]

Thanks for that SD

I keep getting told that my body is going to fast for my feet... I dont know why that is! Maybe time will improve me!

[dancin_feet]

Without seeing what you are doing it is difficult to know, but are you maybe leaning into the turn too much? Maybe need to do some balance exercises of walking around using small slow steps, then gradually increase the length of the step. Aim to hold each step for about 3 - 5 seconds and feel where the weight is on your foot. Then hold the weight between steps, with both feet on the ground for the same amount of time. This gets your centre of balance in between steps. You can also practice both these exercises on your toes. Whenever I am having a bad "balance" day, I do these and find that my balance improves after the exercises.

It's a matter of knowing where your weight is at all times and keeping it over your centre of gravity, wherever your feet are. Only practice will improve this.

Good luck!

[ShyDancer]

dancin_feet ....... THANK YOU! I think you just hit the nail on the head!

I just stood up and tried those excercises and I think you just sorted out my problem!


Well you know what I will be doing for the rest of the morning!

[dancin_feet]

No problem - glad I could help! :wink: