Weight Transfer

[Angelo]

In addition to being aware which foot the weight is on, the next stage is being aware where in the standing foot it is.

Indeed.

 

[Kuriin]

I suggest going into fifth position and begin to tendu to every side (en croix for example) and plie after each one. If the plie looks ugly with one leg more open than the other, that means your weight isn't equal.

^^ That's a huge problem for dancers.

Putting your weight on one foot just means standing over the foot, weight on the balls of the foot.

 

[Flat Shoes]

When I first switched to my current coach, I don't remember what dance we were working on, but I remember this. He said, "Weight over your right foot." I said,"It is." He said, "Weight over your right foot." I said,"It is." He said, "Weight over your right foot." I said,"It is." He said,"Pick up your left foot." I did. Then my weight was over my right foot. :lol: :lol:

It's a classic. And it's even better when the instructor puts a finger towards your side on the opposite side of the foot you're supposed to lift.

 

[Chris Stratton]

I suggest going into fifth position and begin to tendu to every side (en croix for example) and plie after each one. If the plie looks ugly with one leg more open than the other, that means your weight isn't equal.

^^ That's a huge problem for dancers.

Well, it depends on which sort of dancers. Contrasting to ballet-related forms, ballroom & latin have hardly any positions with equal weight division, at least no symmetric ones.

 

[funkrockgirl]

I just want to know whether weight transfer in dance is like weight transfer in figure skating (i do a lot of that in figure skating, so ya)

 

[pygmalion]

I just want to know whether weight transfer in dance is like weight transfer in figure skating (i do a lot of that in figure skating, so ya)

Hmm. Interesting. 8) Any dance/skating parallels or observations you'd like to share?

 

[Ms_Sunlight]

My own experience (limited as it is) says that if you transfer your weight over the foot you're supposed to be stepping on, you're much more stable.

Dancing with a guy last night (salsa class) and I noticed that he didn't give me any space to move in towards him. So when I was trying to do moves that started with me stepping forward, I had no space to do it. Very uncomfortable. When he did his backstep (I later noticed watching from the side) he just stuck his foot out behind without moving the trunk of his body over the foot. Watching him, it made him look gawky and unstable. It just didn't work.

I can't comment on skating because being on ice gives me the fear (bad childhood experiences, broken bones, pain, blah blah) but what I've noticed about dancing is, when you do it properly, it's very sensible. Trying for decent technique really makes life a lot easier for yourself.

 

[hopelessly_addicted]

When he did his backstep (I later noticed watching from the side) he just stuck his foot out behind without moving the trunk of his body over the foot. Watching him, it made him look gawky and unstable.

This is exactly why I said in what attributes of men attract women at social dance that I look at the basic steps of salseros! Really! good technique (eg good weight transfer) does make a lota difference 8)

I just want to know whether weight transfer in dance is like weight transfer in figure skating (i do a lot of that in figure skating, so ya)

Hmm. Interesting. 8) Any dance/skating parallels or observations you'd like to share?

Ditto! I’ve googled before on “how to spin” and a few stuff came up under figure skating.. the essential technique of how to spin in skating seemed quite similar to salsa/ballroom, but it’d be great if we could hear from a skater herself!

This is interesting... I wonder why but it seems like more ballroom dancers tend to show interest or post when topics related to the “hip movement” come up.. Like dTas, cuban motion and weight transfer are big interests for me as well (reason as to why i've "resurrected" this thread) and as a salsera, I’d like some more inputs from other salseros.... perhaps it’s a boring topic for some since it’s being talked about to death?!? :roll: I can only speculate...

 

[Angelo]

This is interesting... I wonder why but it seems like more ballroom dancers tend to show interest or post when topics related to the “hip movement” come up.. Like dTas, cuban motion and weight transfer are big interests for me as well (reason as to why i've "resurrected" this thread) and as a salsera, I’d like some more inputs from other salseros.... perhaps it’s a boring topic for some since it’s being talked about to death?!? :roll: I can only speculate...

While I am what you referred to as a "ballroom dancer" I also take Salsa lessons and salsa dance socially (Am I a salsero?). The biomechanics of the basic hip motion and the weight transfer do not really seem that different to me. Perhaps some others who do both will be willing to offer their opinions as well.