Class Description & Progression
Latin Foundation is perfect for newcomers to Latin dance. This course starts you from scratch to help you discover your hidden Latin Groove. During your course you will concentrate on two dance styles - Salsa and Zouk. This class will build these styles from their basic rhythms with ideas and concepts which will help you to connect with your partner. Along the way you will learn fundamental movement combinations that will have you dancing quicker than you think!Note: If you have previous Latin dance experience give us a call on 3848 2001 to find the right class mix for you.
‘Learning in Latin dance cannot be accomplished in a few levels. The volumes of material in Salsa, Zouk, Gafieira and other dance styles are vast. Like a foreign language dance must be used to maintain your acquired level, and fluency in dance comes from practice and good instruction. Dancers who stand out amongst others are people who persist, keep an open mind and continue learning.’
Salsa Focus Courses - Pre-requisite is the completion of Latin Foundation or similar.
SLG's Salsa courses focus on developing the elegant style of Linear Salsa. Discover new and exciting variations to execute on the social floor, as well as groovy shines or solo footwork patterns. Technical elements of Linear Salsa will be covered to help make your Salsa super smooth and easy to lead and follow. We will show you how to execute clean sharp turns and enhance your foot work. As well as learning cool combinations, you will learn all about that suave nightclub Salsa styling. These Salsa courses will help you to become a more confident Salsa dancer and to have a more complete understanding of the skills, links, and body movement in Salsa.
Class progression for Salsa Focus courses is:
Latin Foundation↓
Salsa Focus 2 ↓
Salsa Focus 3 ↓
Salsa Focus 4/5 ↓
Salsa Focus 6 ↓
Salsa Focus 7 ↓
Salsa Focus 8+
Progression Through Levels
Smooth Latin Groove reserves the right to disallow progression from one level to the next if the participant's capacity adversely affects the meaningful participation of other students in the class. Timing along with leading/following and toned frame are critical factors affecting a student's dance outcomes. This is particularly true of any partner dancing class where adequate skills not acquired will adversely affect other students within the class.
Prerequisite for both leaders and followers for Salsa Focus 8+ includes:
1. Unassisted double spins (left and right)
Prerequisite for both leaders and followers for Salsa Focus 6+ includes:
1. Single spin
2. Continuous spiral turn or chain turns
Prerequisite for both leaders and followers for Salsa 4/5 includes:
1. Inline turn
2. 1 1/2 left
3. 1 1/2 right
4. Copa
Zouk Focus Courses - Pre-requisite is the completion of Latin Foundation or similar.
SLG's Zouk courses will cover smooth combinations and flowing turn patterns. Improving your fundamentals & technique along the way, you will learn how to make your dancing flow like a real Brazilian dancer of today! Time will be spent preparing your body for the rigors of Zouk dancing. Cambre’s (dips) will be covered in these courses, as well as challenging turn patterns and social dancing skills.
Class progression for Zouk Focus courses is:
Latin Foundation↓
Zouk Focus 2 ↓
Zouk Focus 3 ↓
Zouk Focus 4/5 ↓
Zouk Focus 6 ↓
Zouk Focus 7/8 ↓
Zouk Focus 9+
Progression Through Levels
Smooth Latin Groove reserves the right to disallow progression from one level to the next if the participant's capacity adversely affects the meaningful participation of other students in the class. Timing along with leading/following and toned frame are critical factors affecting a student's dance outcomes. This is particularly true of any partner dancing class where adequate skills not acquired will adversely affect other students within the class.
Prerequisite for both leaders and followers for Zouk Focus 9+ includes:
1. Unassisted cambré with the hand taken to the floor.
2. Periscope (followers) – (ability to use compression in legs and extension in arms)
Courses in Bachata - No Pre-requisite for Focus 1
Bachata is a beautiful romantic partner dance from the Dominican Republic. It is very passionate, fun and easy to learn, and its music can be often heard at salsa events. Although Bachata developed from a variety of different rhythms, including Merengue, the music which is specifically called Bachata is a relative of Bolero – in Latin culture traditionally romantic music, dealing with themes like deception and lost love. You will be hooked as soon as you start learning this smooth and sensual dance!
Class progression is:
Bachata Focus 1↓
Bachata Focus 2 ↓
Bachata Focus 3 ↓
Bachata Focus 4....
Courses in Cha Cha Cha - No Pre-requisite for Focus 1
Cha Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Today it is a stylish partner dance of its own, with grounded attitude and accented movements connected to the rhythm itself.
Class progression is:
Cha Cha Cha Focus 1↓
Cha Cha Cha Focus 2 ↓
Cha Cha Cha Focus 3 ↓
Cha Cha Cha Focus 4....
Courses in Gafieira Samba - No Pre-requisite for Focus 1
Gafieira Samba is one of Brazil's most beautiful dances. Cheeky and stylish, it encourages both playfulness and grace. Gafieira Samba is loved for its energetic movements, its spirited connection between dance partners, and its entwining, Tango-like leg movements. Gafieira can look complicated, but SLG provides a teaching structure to simplify the learning process. You will learn a smooth Samba style with flexion and contra body movement.
Class progression is:
Gafieira Focus 1↓
Gafieira Focus 2 ↓
Gafieira Focus 3/4↓
Gafieira Focus 5....
