Last Saturday was the first class of beginner 2 Latin ballroom class. As suspected, it was a little harder that beginner 1 where I did Cha Cha, Rock N’ Roll and Waltz. From my previous post, Samba is my first dance. To tell you the truth, this is the first dance that I’m nervous of before the class and maybe during the beginning of the class. I was not sure if I had accidentally picked up bad habits from the CD that I’ve learnt from previously. Also, it has kept me up for few nights thinking about the moves, how I moved and how it’s suppose to be like.
Anyway, the first exercise that Royce had us do was to step front with the left foot, make a quick transfer of weight to the right foot at the side of the left, then step back on the right foot to get familiar with the count and the quick transfer of body weight and at the same time, counting to the beat, 1, a-2, 3, a-4, etc, etc... Next came the hip movements. The hips should sway the most when it comes to the transfer of weight. So instead of bending our knees (bobbing) up and down, the height should remain the same and only from waist below should be moving. Also, feet should be turned out when pointing back. I felt like I’m doing a mix of belly dancing and ballet. Sounds difficult? Yeah.. it definitely is. I was so uncomfortable moving the hips that I look like a total beginner of all beginners! The same goes for the whole class, especially the guys and we all started laughing because of the awkwardness of the movement, at least that’s how we felt at that time. Knowing that the class totally sucked at the basic hip movement, Royce had us do only the bobbing, to get us familiar with the beats, then, progressively taught us from there. I notice that he had a tough time teaching us too. Well, I don’t blame him.. LOL.
Things started to get better during the 2nd half of the class when we were taught the Samba swift and walk. The Swift was cool as I manage to get 80% the hip movement! Samba walk was alright although during practice, I slipped twice at the back foot, that’s suppose to be stationary and is used to pull the front foot back by a few centimeters. That made my friends and Royce laugh. LOL. Well, at least my technique is correct and also I think its time to get a pair of Latin ballroom shoes. I wonder it will be even more slippery to dance in the shoes ?? I have to get one eventually so might as well visit the shoe shop after class. Also, my feet is hurting every time classes ends.
Anyway, by the end of the class, I was moving my hips like no one’s business…LOL. I’m so glad that I could do it although it’s not as good as Royce’s but boleh tahan la for a beginner. I just have to practice a whole lot to do be PRECISE and PERFECT. I left the studio feeling relieved.