(BachaZouk Beginner Class) Preps for the bachata→zouk switch + the BachaZouk pattern everybody knows — Sunara open class, LATIN

“This blocking is there to hold the grip. You need this basic prep to do any of the BachaZouk moves that come after.”

CONTEXTExplaining why the upper forearm gets blocked after the dive turn

“No prep, no move. If you want to do BachaZouk, you have to start from the prep — always.”

Emphasized while teaching the transition from bachata position into the BachaZouk signature prep

“The lead can't let his hand float up in the air. The guy's hand should always stay on the girl's body.”

Explaining tip #1 on where the lead's hand goes during a bachazouk move

“If the follow isn't used to the move, she can lose the tension in her hand — and then it can slice into her neck. It can end in an injury or an accident, so you have to be careful.”

Warning about the injury risk when the lead lifts his hand off the girl's body

“Stick it on like glue. That way, even if the follow loses the tension, she stays locked in safe.”

CONTEXTLikening the tip about keeping the lead's hand pressed in to a military drill command (shoulder arms)

“You push tap-tap-tap, like you're turning the girl's shoulder around, so it gives that circular feeling.”

Explaining how to push the shoulder when leading the follow's turn (tip #2)

“The key to the follow's circle is bending the knees one after the other. You can't bend and straighten both knees at the same time.”

Explaining how to use the knees in the follow's circular movement

“Before she turns, the follow has to point her toes in the direction she's going first — always.”

Explaining the follow's footwork in preparing a 180-degree turn

“The follow has to resist. Just because the guy pulls doesn't mean you go along with it. You have to keep the tension by pulling the opposite way.”

Explaining how the follow creates tension by resisting the lead's pull in the signature pattern

“During the girl's head roll, the guy has to move his body with her. You can't just hold her arm and stand there.”

CONTEXTUsing a quiz to point out why the lead has to move his body along with the follow's head roll

“If you just stand there holding her arm, there's a risk of banging into her head. That's really dangerous.”

CONTEXTWarning about the injury risk when the lead doesn't move his body along

“You have to give the girl room for her chest opening.”

CONTEXTExplaining that the lead has to make space for the follow's chest opening