Ticking?

[TangoCharlie]

Hi there,

I found this in an article (http://www.dancingusa.com/pages/873227/ for the full article):

The first is the isolation of the ribcage sometimes called ticking. You can certainly dance with only the Latin hip characteristic but until you add ticking to the mix; well let’s say it’s like separating the Gringo from the Latino or the proverbial men from the boys.

This form of ribcage isolation starts at the base of the ribcage and lifts or stretches away from the abdominal wall with a feeling of elasticity. It occurs on the supporting leg’s side of the body and is generated by a flexing of the corresponding side’s back muscles (latissimus dorsi). The dancer feels that while the “lats” are flexing the ribcage is moving upward but in the direction of the corresponding hip.


I've never heard of this before and was wondering if anyone know what "ticking" is? And since the explanation doesn't seem all that straight forward to me - how to do it?

Thanks!

[Genesius Redux]

Okay--I've gotta go to sleep. I thought the subject line said "Tickling." :|

[cocodrilo]

Hi TangoCharlie
I've never heard the expression "ticking" either, but I can understand the explanation of the movements. It's the way one moves side to side using the muscles at the base of the rib cage. I discovered this when I started really moving after I got into salsa! FANTASTIC toning properties for those stomach muscles, love handle area, etc! :D

[ShyDancer]

Hmm well in my current exhausted state, (Im with you GR! I thought this said Tickling too :shock: ) it sounds like something that one of my teachers explained to me.

He called it "Snap" and told me its mostly used during, turns , twists and spins to really get your hip action moving sharply.

He got me to do an alemana, then told me to try another pushing the base of my ribcage out first..ok it took a few turns but I got it and now after a fair few months of practice it has made a big difference to my dancing! Turns fast became a favorite thing of mine :lol:

It is a little difficult to explain, but if you can for a few seconds forget all you know about posture, Take a big breath in and out to relax, now try using your ribcage to turn, not too fast, Make sure it IS your ribcage turning first thoug, before your hips , shoulders and feet...trust me they will all follow you! Watch yourself in the mirror, as you get the hang of turning with your ribcage add in your posture. You will be totally suprised by that strange person doing awesome sharp turns in the mirror!

[Larinda McRaven]

I have never heard of this as referred to as ticking, or tickling for that matter :wink: .

Of the pros that I know and banter with about technical stuff, this is just another componet of latin/cuban motion, often referred to loosely as "using your back/sides" no fancy name.

For the technically advanced ballroom latin/rhythm dancer, using your back and sides is as basic and fundamental as walking forward with the ball and not heel. I can't speak for salsa or authentic latin dancing as I have no right to, but my assumtion woud be that it is the same.

Part of your over all cuban motion is contained in your rib cage and it works in tandem and opposition with the direction of the hips. I can't really follow the authors words but I am sure they are correct in their intent.

[Porfirio Landeros]

Ticking is an "old school" word... I don't mean that like old/expired; old-school in a cool way 8)

My original instructors used that term, and I'm sure some of the old school/wiser judges may remember that term. I may have even heard Ron Montez say it a time or two.

It's interesting how terminology can change over the years.

[virginiadancegirl]

And I always called it "rib isolations"...how un-hip am I?????
:?
8)

[msc]

When I've heard the term "ticking," it usually refers to very fast rib isolations, often from a full stretch on one side to a full stretch on the other side.

Also the term is used for certain styling moves in Int'l Tango, which are also (hopefully) generated from the rib cage.

[KevinL]

I'm not able to remember the context right now, but I've got a very firm memory of a Ron Montez tape (Rhythm Technique?), where he was doing ribcage isolations to vaious rhythms, but saying tick, tick, tick, tick instead of beat, beat, beat, beat. I'm not sure of the context, though. Anyone else seen that tape? Am I making stuff up again?

Kevin

[Seini]

I have been taught the concept of "ticking" since some of my first lessons, well maybe a year in the lessons. I understand it to be the half beat movement or isolation used as an intro to the 'main' technique. I use it mostly in Samba.

[cocodrilo]

The Cuban guys around here do "ticking", along with lots of hip-swiveling. It looks super-cool & sexy! I think that's how salsa SHOULD look!

[tsb]

with no visual references it's difficult but to get started, imagine that you're standing but locked in a body cast from the waist down and without moving your hips, extend your arms out to the sides and alternate trying to push elevator buttons on walls to your left & right while trying to keep your head & shoulders as level as possible & note the muscles you are engaging - particularly the lats.

for increased flexibility, while keeping your hips stationary and also keeping your shoulders parallel to the ground (& head up & looking forward), try to move your shoulders in clockwise & counterclockwise positions.

[TangoCharlie]

Wow! Thanks for all the info guys! That's given me heaps to try.

I'll have to ask my dance teacher about it (when she gets back from holiday!) and see if she's heard of it...

Back to the dance floor to try it out! :)