Sergio

“In our bachata — sensual bachata especially — we lead almost 99% with the body.”

Introducing how leading works in sensual bachata, while explaining the body lead concept

“You have to lead with the body, not the hand. If you just lift your hand, she can't follow the frame.”

Demonstrating the difference between leading with the hand and leading with the body

“I shouldn't do it like this. That's the difference from doing it with just the hand — otherwise she ends up moving without a frame.”

Directly contrasting hand lead and body lead in a side-by-side demo

“If Raquel doesn't give the resistance downward, she can't feel the moment it opens up.”

Explaining how crucial the follower's resistance is for the lead to actually come through.

“The key is keeping your elbow in the same place the whole time. You step, you aim, and you keep the elbow right in front of your face with the frame connected.”

A concrete technique note on elbow position for holding the frame.

“Once you start the lead, you never stop until it's done. You stay connected all the way to the end.”

Stressing that the lead has to stay unbroken through a single move.

“From the outside it looks like one single movement, but really there are a bunch of small elements linked together inside each sequence.”

Explaining that even a complicated-looking move is just basic elements strung together.

“This is exactly how teachers come up with new moves. Watch the sequence closely, break down the elements, pull them apart one by one — then put them back together.”

Recommending a way to study when you're learning a complicated move.