Transitioning from ballet/jazz to latin

[dncergrl]

I am wondering if there are any other kindred souls moving from a classical or jazz training to latin dance? While there are some advantages, there are also very definite challenges. For me, I can pick up steps easily, but my body wants to fall back into overlearned ballet/jazz technique. I think I need the latin equivalent of a routinized ballet "barre" or jazz "warm-up" that I can do everyday so the latin technique gets into my muscles. Maybe a training tape to break it down and then build it up, like a ballet class does? Does that exist apart from just doing things on my own?

Feet on floor, weight shift, prep hip, feet parallel, small steps, on and on and on and on and on.....

 

[TemptressToo]

I still do both. I've been dancing ballroom (inclusive of the Latin dances) for ten years and have 5 years of classical ballet training. The ballet/jazz will help you with musicality and styling. Petite allegro work helps with your quickness.

What is your goal with learning? Competition? Social?

 

[Janson]

Don't be too afraid incorporate their styling and technique to an extent - good dancing is good dancing at the end of the day. A slightly balletic feeling rumba or jazzy jive often makes sense. Of course there are many parts of it which you do need to learn and get the technique down. Latin classes are very different to other dance classes, so do try to adapt as best as possible.
However:
- Practice Routine: Basic figures. These are really helpful. You'll be doing some form of alemana forever, so perfect it. Same with fan, hip twist, new yorks etc for cha. These can be done solo or partnered.
- Drills (this is more what you're asking about): Figure out the steps and figures done with minimal contact. Jive chasses (side/forward/back). Cha chasse (all types), forward walks and locks, time steps. You can potentially make a sequence out of these too.

 

[latingal]

I am wondering if there are any other kindred souls moving from a classical or jazz training to latin dance?

There are plenty. There are many threads in the archives about the challenges and advantages/disadvantages.

I think I need the latin equivalent of a routinized ballet "barre" or jazz "warm-up" that I can do everyday so the latin technique gets into my muscles. Maybe a training tape to break it down and then build it up, like a ballet class does? Does that exist apart from just doing things on my own?

As far as I know it does not exist. My "warm up" in latin is working the basics in each dance.

 

[5678dance]

The hardest part for me is overriding my years of classical ballet training that is so deeply ingrained, I need to actively think and try NOT to do. I am working on getting latin/ballroom technique into my muscle memory, over ballet technique, by just doing basic warm ups over and over and over (eg lock steps across the floor). Drills, like Janson said, and taking it slow and actively thinking about it each time I do it, to really hammer home the technique.

Does anyone have problems taking ballroom and ballet classes simultaneously? During competition seasons, I used to also continue with my ballet training, mostly to stay in shape and up on it (you lose it so quickly), but I'm not so sure it's the best idea anymore.

 

[latingal]

Does anyone have problems taking ballroom and ballet classes simultaneously? During competition seasons, I used to also continue with my ballet training, mostly to stay in shape and up on it (you lose it so quickly), but I'm not so sure it's the best idea anymore.

You can do it if you compartmentalize well and have enough experience in both styles....

 

[smidra86]

I take weekly lessons with a coach who used to be a classically trained ballet dancer. He understands my dance background and helps me utilize what I have learned from that in my ballroom dancing to make it better. Things I was taught before about not turning my feet out, etc he tells me to do in my ballroom, not to the extent we do in ballet but to a certain degree and it improves my smooth.

What I find great about having been classically trained is that I can dance on my own and keep my own balance which I have learned is really important in partner dancing. I currently work in a franchise and they strive on using all forms of teaching for their students, its not just private lessons, etc. Its a combination of privates, groups, and the dance parties. They say the group lessons are meant for the students to learn the steps and be able to dance them on their own and maintain their balance, (so the students don't hang on their teacher) which is something I learned from my classical training.

You also learn to pick up choreography quickly so you can work on getting it right and improving mostly technique.

I see very few minuses on having had classical dance training. Yes there are some things you need to unlearn, such as not keeping your whole body square and all parts of your body can move in different directions but, sometimes its a good thing.

 

[opendoor]

Transitioning from ballet to latin

Hi grl ! But please allow one question: why do you want to cross over from ballet to latin. It would be much more reasonable to change to salsa or tango. The hold, the body mechanics, and posture in salsa is much more compatible to ballet than international latin is.

 

[latingal]

IMO (having had some ballet training myself) I find that the lines we use in our movement in latin are closer to ballet then salsa or tango (though admittedly I know very little about tango). The very act of walking uses an extended and turned out back leg, and the articulation of the foot is akin to the way the feet are used in ballet, and the dance is very vertical with emphasis on the spine.

I also feel the technique in latin has more of a ballet feel, the line of the foot, leg, body, head and arm are very precise and extended in movement.

But that's just my two cents....

 

[dncergrl]

Opendoor: My pro teaches Intl latin and i love the challenge. I also take jazz classes which are different again. Actually I have done almost everything: tap, modern, hula, belly dancing, flamenco, etc. Smidrram you are right, it was quick to learn the the syllabus steps and I am mostly working on technique and connection. I guess more drills are the way to go, but I am also trying to figure out a way to break down the technique into smaller parts. For example, I am starting to do "foot work" with my heels on like ballet tondues to feel the connection with the floor and practice pointing my foot in my heels as I move though steps, making beautiful feet. And i try to break down samba steps into smaller bits and work on, for example a portion of a whisk for awhile and then add another part. For jive, I practice hopping on one leg in time to jive music for a long time, as well as doing the actual steps, but that is just for stamina. I probably should rumba walk for a half hour each day, but .. So I guess I am trying to analyze basic steps even further and then build them because that is a familiar concept to me from the ballet/ jazz world. But when I really dance at speed, I fall back into old ballet/jazz habits. My pro says I just need mileage. I have been at this less than a year and maybe my expectations are unrealistic. I did well at a silver comp a few months ago, but I am keen to get out of syllabus and do open work but my technique is holding me back.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

I probably should rumba walk for a half hour each day

more like two hours a day

 

[dncergrl]

Bad enough I cha cha lock step where ever I go.

 

[Steve Pastor]

You've never done African dance moves in line at Costco?

But when I really dance at speed, I fall back into old ballet/jazz habits. My pro says I just need mileage.

Yup, those are the most deeply reinforced circuits in the lower portions of your brain where we all store things that we've practiced and practiced and practiced (well, WE don't store them in YOUR brain. Hey, Cloud Storage of dance skills!)

Sounds like you are highly motivated and have a very good work ethic and all. Enjoy the journey.

 

[dncergrl]

Big confession: I picked my grocery store based on the music they play: a groovy classic rock kind of mix. Once I was in there by myself and the guy went into the back and turned up the music loud. When he came out I asked him what he was doing and said " I know you like to dance".