Look no eyes...

[waltz123]

on a similar matter...

My Latin partner and I often dance with closed eyes-- though not at the same time... Specifically when we are getting tensed because of a new or fast move.
I tend to follow better with my eyes closed and I have better connection. I concentrate only on his lead and don't anticipate the next move.
BTW, this also works for Standard.
You have to practice it, but once you get into it, it is actually very relaxing.

[Adwiz]

I can understand the value of that in practice or for certain short periods of time as you work on specific issues. Closing the eyes can be very useful. My Standard coach sometimes gets me to close my eyes for certain parts of steps to "feel" the step better, including balance issues.

However, I wouldn't recommend doing this outside those brief parameters. I'm sure that's all you meant as well, but just in case someone misunderstood it should be mentioned. Connection includes eye contact at critical times, both with your partner and with the audience. If you get into the habit of closing your eyes you'll lose this completely. Also, you won't see some critical lead signals such as shaping leads, and there are many of those in the Latin dances.

[Pacion]

I have done this also, in salsa, and it does help where the brain is fighting with the feet :lol: or if the song is one that I really, really, really love and just want to feel. :D

[MacMoto]

You have to practice it, but once you get into it, it is actually very relaxing.

I know what you mean, waltz123.
Being an eye contact junkie as I am :lol:, a very close hold where the leader's head is more or less next to mine and out of my range of vision poses a problem for me -- seeing other couples on the dancefloor and the non-dancing audience distracts my attention from the lead as I feel self-conscious and sometimes even dizzy. When this happens, I find it easiest to get my focus back by closing my eyes. It must look to the audience as if I'm really enjoying the close embrace though... :oops: :oops:

I recently tried Argentine Tango for the first time, and again I found it much easier to follow the lead when I closed my eyes.