16 Shoulder Styling

COURSE: Latin Blues Volume 1

FOCUS: This lesson focuses on shoulder variations and styling in Latin Blues, teaching simple ways to move the shoulders and upper body with Latin rhythms.

TIP & TRICKS:

• Use the back muscles to roll the shoulders subtly, avoiding lifting them too high.
• Coordinate shoulder rolls with opposite legs, such as rolling the right shoulder back when weight is on the left.
• Add an up-and-down motion in the shoulders on the slow beat to fill the rhythm.
• Initiate shoulder movements from the center of the body for better control.
• Practice shoulder rhythms like slow, quick, quick or cha-cha-cha to match footwork.
• Split rhythms between shoulders and feet, such as stepping on one beat and tapping shoulders on others.

REMEMBER:

• Keep shoulder movements low and subtle by engaging back muscles, not lifting from the top.
• Open the body slightly on the slow beat to enhance the dance's aesthetic.
• Match shoulder rhythms to the music, adapting variations based on what you hear.
• Experiment with different shoulder options to add layers to your dance styling.
• Focus on coordination between shoulders and feet for a harmonious overall movement.
• Practice variations until they feel natural and comfortable in the body.