Thursday, August 13, 2009

Salsa - Module 1

Attended my first salsa lesson tonight. I was rushing back home to grab a quick dinner before I head out to the dance studio at Jalan Kasuarina. Phew... was I exhausted with the driving and also the rushing. But, I was the earliest to arrive and had an ice-breaker section with Jason; the instructor and Fai; his assistant. After 20minutes chit-chatting and getting to know a little about the instructor and his background in the salsa industry. Turns out, his instructor was Sam from Havana EStudio.

Started the first lesson after 9+pm knowing that I was not in a hurrying and none of the other 8 students are turning-up (which out of them, 3 have fever), Jason & Fai taught me as 1 and only student. I had to say, its a privilege and it's like a private-class and I get lots of attention!! Hehehe...

With no dancing background & experience, I think it's only right to tell out front about this when I'm seriously going to take up salsa. Jason teaches "on-1" lessons.

First, I learned this... occasionally, I skipped a step or I didn't leave up my foot to make a step... Hhhmm... honestly, I don't think it's as easy as it seems... coming from me that is quite a tomboy... this sexy-dance may not be that easy to pick up especially, I had to have a good posture with my hands and the way I leave them up at my waist and not down on my side. Also, since the steps are done slowly, I even had the intention to jerk up my shoulder every single steps I take... Thinking back on the replay Jason showed me on how I did my steps, I had to laughed and make sure I remember not to do that.


Second, I learned to step right with my right foot and left foot to the right. Then, left with my left foot and right foot to the left. This is very simple but still I tend to missed a step.

Third, I learned to make a turn after the 5th step. I had Fai to be my partner to also learn how to be lead to turn with an arm raised and how a partner can raise his arm and still do not require to turn. Jason requested Fai to trick me a few times to make sure I'm alert and I never failed to be tricked. Hahaha!! During the turn, it is also important to make sure that I don't show my armpit but keep my elbow at the shape of an L-shape from my shoulder when I turn. This is to ensure I don't hit my partner with my elbow when I turn and also to make a graceful turn. And I'm not supposed to leave my left foot up-high into a L-shape when I turn either.

Before Jason let me leave, he make sure I learned how to listen to the music and know the timing on-1. So, I was given a short quiz to test me if I know how to count along with the music.

I left the dance studio by 10.30pm without even had to pay my RM200 fee yet; which is an advantage despite that this is not normal but I guessed, some people do it for passion and not for the business. I'm just glad I stumbled over this place in the website and I had to say, I had a GREAT first-day lesson with an instructor that I'm comfortable with too. But, I had to do some "homework" as well... I can feel a little sore... time to Zzzz...

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