precision in latin dancing across a variety of floors

[latingal]

Well, Karina is good, to put it mildly! - She said you just have to practice in order to keep from getting dizzy, or just get used to it. The combination she put together for the non-spotting spins did involve turns that went down the floor, though, and were not in place.

I have to go with one of the other poster's statements, to me a turn can involve rotations using one or two feet. A spin is a rotation or rotations on one foot/leg. And I dare say, in normal circumstances you should spot both types.

Not wanting to put words into Karina's mouth (I wouldn't dare), I thought I might just mention that one of the turns that Karina is fond of doing is a turn where she tilts her head - I think - back and sideways while rotating. And I would guess that turn would be "unspottable" because of the position of the head. So yes there are some instances that you do not spot a turn, but in general I normally spot my turns/spins.

Don't know if this is the type of turn that was being demonstrated in the combination?

 

[Casey]

Karina's turn w/ her head back was not included in our workshop, but several people do that, including Julianne when she danced on Dancing w/ the Stars - so I wondered if that came from Shirley. But Diana McDonald used to do it also, right? In the workshop, we were just doing 4 spins/turns to the right and weren't especially trying to travel, but it happens just because the feet are moving. Karina demonstrated the turn on one foot also, which does stay in place.

Now, on the deal w/ the towel, can you really pick it up, Masaya? Or is the point just to exercise your feet? My towel was pretty seriously elusive.

 

[Josh]

Now, on the deal w/ the towel, can you really pick it up, Masaya? Or is the point just to exercise your feet? My towel was pretty seriously elusive.

Not answering for Masaya, but unless it's a super thick towel, it should be relatively easy to pick up (with practice anyway).

Bob and Julia have an exercise where they lie on the floor, flex their foot completely, bend their toes all the way down, and then point their foot while keeping the toes flexed. It is terrific for foot strengthening, and can be done in bed too (in the morning it's great for waking up as well).

 

[Masaya]

Now, on the deal w/ the towel, can you really pick it up, Masaya? Or is the point just to exercise your feet? My towel was pretty seriously elusive.

Haha, well it definitely shouldn't be too thick of a towel. You could even do it with a sock (that's what I do). At the end of my workout at the gym, I take off my shoes and socks, sit on a bench and practice picking up and putting down my sock. It will definitely be harder at first, since your toes won't have the strength and dexterity, but after two weeks or so you should be able to grab them with a vice-like grip

 

[FatBaldGuy60]

Strangely enough, my toes have always been pretty strong. I can pick up towels and socks pretty easily.

It is also handy for pinching my wife in bed when she is being annoying!

FBG

 

[and123]

:shock:

 

[DancingMommy]

tee hee. I've always had strong toes, too. I've been able to pick stuff up with them since I was little. Does that make me special?

 

[Casey]

Thanks for the info on picking up the towel/sock -- If I get a bit of the towel between my big toe and next toe, I can pick it up, but that isn't what is supposed to be happening, it seems. This towel has been in the middle of my living room for a week - time to get back to it. Have you tried balancing on one of they styrofoam rolls? That is getting easier, so maybe the towel thing will, too.

 

[Angel HI]

to me a turn can involve rotations using one or two feet. A spin is a rotation or rotations on one foot/leg.

Given that the constant operative word is rotation (number of feet...changeable), how about the definition that a turn is a complete rotation that uses all of the given beats or prescribed steps of a movement; whereas a spin is a complete rotation that is concluded before using all of the given beats or prescribed steps of a movement? Thoughts?

 

[meow]

A turn can be a complete or partial rotation to change direction; a spin is a complete rotation, usually on one foot. A spin can be done on two feet equally but is certainly less impressive.

 

[rjcbear]

tee hee. I've always had strong toes, too. I've been able to pick stuff up with them since I was little. Does that make me special?

Lord no it makes you really dangerous. My DW has strong toes toes and when thoes pigs get a hold of my leg LORD come rescue me.

DW = Dear wife

 

[Masaya]

Thanks for the info on picking up the towel/sock -- If I get a bit of the towel between my big toe and next toe, I can pick it up, but that isn't what is supposed to be happening, it seems. This towel has been in the middle of my living room for a week - time to get back to it. Have you tried balancing on one of they styrofoam rolls? That is getting easier, so maybe the towel thing will, too.

You're welcome, let me know how it goes - hopefully you'll start to feel a stronger sense of connection with the floor.
I haven't tried the styrofoam rolls; my trainer told me he'll get me started on a balance board soon though, I think it's kind of the same thing. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[waltzgirl]

Picking up stuff with your feet partly depends on the size/length of your toes. If you have short, round toes, you just won't have as much of a gripping surface when they bend down. Everyone in my family has long, flexible toes and I grew up thinking it was just normal to pick stuff up, open low drawers, etc. with your feet!

 

[Casey]

The other night I got a cramp trying to pick up the towel, but now I can pick it up - and I picked up a sock yesterday - the sock was easier, so maybe the towel was just too thick like someone mentioned a couple of pages back. I definitely need a stronger connection w/ the floor w/ the foot I'm moving from. Karina was helping me w/ this move in my rumba that I love, but am not all that great at and my teacher is trying to get me to keep my trailing foot connected so that there's leverage to get me flipped around --it's the move where you step forward to move so that you are facing out in shadow w/ your partner and then flip back to face him. It looks fantastic when the pros did it.

 

[FatBaldGuy60]

It looks fantastic when the pros did it.

Then again, the pros could probably make picking up a towel with their toes look fantastic!

FBG