Turn/spin combinations, grumble, grumble

[cornutt]

The routine I'm working on has driven home the point that my spins really need work...    I've got one that starts with a spiral turn, into pivot for 3/4 of a turn, then ronde, then a military turn.  I manage to do it all without falling off of my balance about 1 time out of 5.  The thing that really drives me nuts is: I need reps on something like this.  But after 4 or 5 attempts, my balance is... I'm not dizzy exactly, but my balance is disturbed enough that any further attempts come out as a total mess.  The only thing I can do is stop for 15 minutes or so, which really cuts into my practice time.

[elisedance]

We've recentlyadded a number of turning actions in our routines and at first dizzyness was a real problem (think turn with your head stuck out for max centrifugal force!!).  Oddly, this isn't bothering me any more but I have no idea why - maybe one gets used to it?  I'm certainly not 'spotting' as trained for latin..

[ahowlett1]

Sounds like you are bracing your neck whilst your spinning. Be aware of the top articulation of the neck to skull and sense if it and the neck is bracing. if so, allow the back of the neck to lengthen slightly. You might feel like you're looking down temporarily.

[elisedance]

Interesting - I'll explore that..

[skipper]

Exhale on any spinning turning action. Don't know why it works, but it does. Exhale - exhale - exhale!

[elisedance]

Exhale on any spinning turning action. Don't know why it works, but it does. Exhale - exhale - exhale!

...but don't forget to inhale in between

[ttd]

I found that holding your stomach in really helps on the turn. I know you're supposed to have tone there all the time, but increasing it even more on a fast turn makes it more controlled.

[TangoDancer]

Also, one the most important elements of turning is to not. When we turn, all we typically see is the turn, and we forget that the foot placement of turns is 'straight' ahead (in the direction of the movement), or back as in the case of pivots.

[skipper]

How interesting---as lady, I am focused on going ONLY forward or backward--man creates the turn.

[elisedance]

yes... and don't forget to wait at the end of the pivot for the man to lead you out.  It makes him very happy

[pinkstuff]

I found that holding your stomach in really helps on the turn. I know you're supposed to have tone there all the time, but increasing it even more on a fast turn makes it more controlled.

Totally agree with this.  I am still at the point where I am surprised that I haven't lost balance on a turn/spin but makes for an interesting lesson as I then stand there in joy totally forgetting that it is not the end 

[TangoDancer]

Another thing that I teach in my Turns and Spins class (1 of 5 what I call Specialty Classes), is that we often forget that we have 2 points of balance; vertical balance (we generally always try to stay upright), and horizontal balance (the one that we often forget).

[phoenix13]

Are there any good exercises/drills that can be used to practice spins when dancing alone?

[elisedance]

you should probably look at ballet technique ... 

[phoenix13]

That's a good idea.  IIRC,there are some good salsa spin videos as well.   Maybe I'll google both and see what I can find.