For some reason, the best time for me to write is when I’m tired. Maybe because I have a hazy mind, I have fewer filters so what I write is more authentic. I feel less bothered by ‘perfect’ and feel less of that nasty imposter syndrome feeling creeping up on me. Anyway…
Onto the main topic for today, we are thinking about our spins. I find spins so enjoyable and although most people can do a simple spin, there is always room for improvement.
I recently released a #Shorts on YouTube quickly going through three ways to improve it. Three of many, I might add. So I thought I’d spend some time in this blog to just explain them in further detail.
If you would like to spend literally less than 30 seconds watching the video for context, you can watch it here.
TIP 1: Suck in and tighten those abs.
Tightening up that core really helps to maintain your balance, posture and strength during the turn. An analogy I often use with my dance students is to pretend that someone has punched you in the stomach, try it now. Your stomach should feel like its being tightened in and upwards towards your lungs. Realistically you should always be dancing with tensed abs, but especially with movements which are harder to balance in.
TIP 2: Slight bend in the knees
Locked knees are a big nono, even in the dances when your legs need to be straight. You can straighten your legs without locking your knees. When you have locked knees, you immediately reduce the amount of control you have with your balance and you are far more likely to topple if you are ever so slightly off-centre. With ‘softer’ knees you are more aware of the balance and can correct any off-balancing before its too late. Watch the video below to see how to achieve the ‘soft knees’ I talk so much about.
TIP 3: Sort your posture
As you can see in the video, if you are slumped over, your centre of balance is past your ‘base’ (your feet) and then you will fall over (and also not look too great). Adjust this by straightening and lengthening your spine.
Those are just 3 tips to improve your spins in the future. Take it one at a time and practice practice practice because all skills require practice in order to improve.
Here is the video for a more visual representation:
Thank you for getting this far into the blog, if you enjoyed reading it, please give it a like.
Don’t forget to keep dancing (no really – keep doing it), keep coming back to check on my content (because I really do put my heart into it, and it will only get better), and don’t forget to be your most wonderful, radiant self.
Norwich Latin Dance 