(Bachata) The definitive underarm turn posture — Amanda settles it! Poppin' Amanda Influence Night Workshop

“If you're too worried about the head, your foot won't come up. Send your weight all the way onto one foot first, and then think about the head going in.”

Explaining the order of weight transfer and head timing on an underarm turn.

“You don't lead with your head — your body has to go where the lead is taking it first. Then when the signal to spiral comes, that's when the head goes in.”

Correcting students who mix up the order of body and head on an underarm turn

“Hold the shape and your balance will never break. Ever.”

CONTEXTStressing how much posture matters through a turn

“Your head and your ribs — those two are seriously heavy. They can't drift off your hips; you have to keep the ribs and hips stacked on the same line.”

Explaining what actually breaks your balance, in terms of body alignment

“Don't let your butt stick out behind you. Your belly button should be visible — think of it pointing toward me, and that's when the contraction shape actually shows up.”

Giving concrete posture cues for lining up the body

“If he hasn't led it, you can't just suddenly drop down. You take the lead as it comes and go down with it.”

Explaining that the timing of bending your knees can't fall out of sync with the lead

“If the elbow opens, you let it open; if it closes, you let it close. Your body closes as you turn, so just stay closed and keep the elbow on the outside.”

Explaining how the elbow frame holds up through a turn

“The hand is honestly up to you. As long as the elbow stays outside, it doesn't matter how much the hand rotates.”

Making the point that the elbow is what matters — the hand can stay flexible

“If the hand is stretched way out or pulled way in, your whole body tightens up — so keep it relaxed.”

Explaining how hand position affects tension in the upper body

“For the head to relax, your ribs have to relax.”

Wrapping up the principle that a relaxed head comes from a relaxed torso (ribs)