(Bachata) Influence's inner connection secrets you can't catch on video: zero-energy connection & activation — Grey & Lauren LATIN open class

“To control speed, you can breathe in fast and breathe out slow, or breathe in slow and breathe out fast. That's how you build connection with your partner.”

CONTEXTExplaining how to use speed control of the breath to build connection with a partner

“Influence communicates through breath. If you think the follower has caught the count point and is feeling it, you can lead without any special energy at all. Think of it as basically zero energy.”

CONTEXTExplaining how breath-based leading works in the Influence style, unlike sensual bachata

“There's no tension here whatsoever. It's just zero.”

CONTEXTEmphasizing the zero-energy state that's held throughout the Influence style

“Before a fast travel, build a little compression — that is, tension through activation.”

CONTEXTExplaining the activation technique of building tension ahead of a fast traveling step

“You lead through the body with this frame, and because the frame stays intact the whole time, we call it continuous leading.”

CONTEXTIntroducing the concept of "continuous leading" — leading nonstop while holding the frame

“With Influence, you create the activation from a state that's close to zero base, and you lead as you breathe in and breathe out — that's what we call energy leading.”

CONTEXTSumming up the core leading principle of the Influence style and unpacking the idea of "energy leading"

“I'm barely using my arms at all. All I did was make my weight shift faster and sharper.”

CONTEXTExplaining how to create a strong lead purely through the speed of the weight shift, without forcing with the arms

“You breathe in and give the activation at the same time, then create the preparation as you breathe out — and it reads much shorter and sharper than in sensual bachata.”

CONTEXTComparing how preparation in the Influence style differs from sensual bachata