Soo

“If you split the beat up fine and connect the end of one move to the start of the next organically, you can fit three moves inside eight counts.”

Aitor breaking down his beat-splitting technique

“Whether you use the back of your hand or your palm completely changes how the lead works. Palm to palm, even a little pressure gives you a solid pull; back of hand to back of hand, it's actually easier to push.”

Sharing a personal tip on how the grip — which side of the hand you use — changes the lead

“To get organic movement out of beats this short, you have to blend everything — the hand connection, the hip connection, the energy, the breathing — so it works even when the follower's level isn't that high.”

Aitor explains the approach he worked out to build beat-splitting moves that land even with beginner followers

“The point isn't to hold the head — the chest goes first and the head follows. Push the chest first, and the head has to drop.”

Walking through head rolls, tilt turns and other head movements, then pinning down the principle they all share

“For the sensual grip, you use just two points — your thumb and your middle finger — and press up and down.”

Demonstrating the principle behind the two-point sensual grip

“When the lead is holding you in a sensual grip, the follow should feel like they need to release the tension in their elbow.”

Explaining what the follow should feel in a sensual grip

“Once you're dancing bachata (zouk), you have to start tilting your axis. Your axis isn't perpendicular to the ground anymore.”

Introducing the concept of a tilted rotation axis while explaining the scoop turn

“When you turn on an axis, the axis doesn't have to be somewhere in mid-air. You can use a part of your body — your elbow, say — to make the turn more fun.”

Explaining the idea of the axis in a scoop turn and demoing how to lead it off the elbow