Latin Exercises

Disclaimer: These exercises are provided for information purposes only. Please consult with your physician before undertaking any program of exercise.

Latin Basic Actions

    Latin Technique has more details on the technique for each of the basic actions.

    Adjust posture before exercise: line up blocks of weight, pull in center, settle shoulder, exhale and release chest to floor, weight forward.

    Spine positions, Foot Positions and Leg Actions 

    • Spine: split, whole foot, front of foot. 
    • Feet positions: from flat - demi pointe - demi - flat. 
    • Leg actions: horizontal, vertical 
    Practice the following, be very aware spine and foot position:
    • Start with one foot in front of the other in (closed) 4th position, slow motion going through all spine, feet positions and leg actions. 
    • Start in 2nd position, lead with ribs, moving spine from one foot to the other.

    Forward walk

    Putting spine, leg and feet together. See Latin Technique  for more details.

    Back walk

    Quick release using thighs.

    Figure 8

    Feet in 2nd position. Practice without weight transfer, just focusing on figure 8 hip action.

    Cucarachas and Cuban Rocks

    Practice Cucarachas Cuban Rocks. Be very aware spine, weight transfer and foot positions.

    Compact Chasse

    Standing feet together, cross knees on each count, keep knees together passing by each other. 

    Two changes of directions

    Forward Walk Turn and Swivel. See Latin Technique  for more details.

    Arms

    • Stationary Rumba rocks with arms
    • Rumba Open basic (2 variations)
    • Rumba underarm turn with arms.

    Latin Turns & Spins

    See Latin Technique on spins.
    • Head spotting
    • Three-step turn.
    • Continuous spin forward.
    • One full spin on one foot.
    • Spiral Turns.
    • Turns with different timing.