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Bachata
About Bachata
Bachata is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic which is now danced all over the world. It is associated with bachata music. In the West, various dancers are known to copy moves and turn patterns from various couple dances, performing these combinations in the timing used in bachata dancing, thus creating a fusion dance.
Styles
There are 3 styles of Bachata all being giving at Salsa Connexion.
- Dominican Bachata (we call them the fundaments & roots)
- Bachata Moderna (mix of integrated moves and turn patterns)
- Bachata Sensual (characterized by waves and body motion)
Why take Bachata classes?
Our clients in Eindhoven decide to take bachata classes for many reasons. You may have your own but here are some of the most popular:
- Easy way to meet new people
- Dancing is fun! Share this experience together
- A way to challenge your body and mind
- Increase your confidence
- Bachata is great for couples to work on their connection
When you can dance bachata, or even salsa, you will find yourself having so much fun in social dancing situations.
Impression with our Bachata Teachers
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Bachata Level 1: Absolute Beginner
- 8-11 classes.
- Progressive program and learning curve.
You will learn the fundamental techniques & theory of this Latin dance. You will also learn the Merengue movements which are at the fundament of Bachata, to teach how to transfer your weight and develop the first coordinated steps. After this course you will be able to dance short combinations and basic turns, which you can literally use all over the world!
Options after this course:
- Continue with Bachata Beginner+ level [Salsa Level 1+]
- Consider taking the Beginner Bootcamp
- Consider taking the Silver Memberships which enables you to do Beginner and Bachata Beginner+ Classes, so you can work on your basics and keep progressing.
- Start from the beginning, especially if you missed some classes or struggle to keep up. You will comprehend and execute quicker and you will know what to expect.
Requirements to start with Bachata Level 1+:
- Completed full Bachata Level 1 course at Salsa Connexion (preferred route)
- Being able to maintain rhythm and count during your dance.
Bachata Level 1: Absolute Beginner
- 8-11 classes.
- Progressive program and learning curve.
This Bachata class is for people with already experience in Bachata dance. Please keep in mind that a good foundation of basic techniques is VERY IMPORTANT for the rest of your dancing years to come. Bachata Level 1+ is equal to 8-11 classes at Salsa Connexion.
Why Beginner+ or Level 1+ ?
Within salsa Connexion we see that students need around 16-22 classes for a good foundation in order to join Bachata Level 2 (which are ongoing classes), in a way that you are comfortable in joining the existing group, where a strong basic foundation is needed to keep up.
Options after this course:
- Continue with Bachata Improver level [Bachata Level 2] – From Level 2 and up classes have no starting or end date. Classes are on an ongoing basis.
- Consider taking the Silver Memberships which enables you to do Beginner and Bachata Improver Classes, so you can work on your basics and keep progressing.
Requirements to start with Bachata Level 2:
- Completed full Bachata Level 1+ course at Salsa Connexion (preferred route)
- Being able to maintain rhythm and count during your dance.
Bachata Level 2: Improver
- Recommended to follow this level for a minimum of 6-9 months to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
- From now on you will enter an ongoing program where you will learn techniques & theory on Improver level [Bachata Level 2].
- In the first weeks per cycle (new schedule every cycle in 10-12 weeks) we focus on leveling up your basics from Level 1, to a point that you can multitask techniques to a more dynamic and complex pattern.
- The next 8-10 weeks you will learn new techniques that are needed to progress.
- The techniques are not as progressive as in Level 1 but more complicated, therefore following Bachata Level 2 classes more times a week could be interesting to improve in a shorter amount of time.
- The subject matter is different per class. If you take the Bachata Improver lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques.
- You will experience the playfulness of dancing shines (solo footwork patterns) during your partnerwork. Keep developing your skills which will lead to more control and more freedom, fun and pleasure on the dancefloor. The stronger your techniques and control, the easier you will progress in the next levels.
Requirements to start with Bachata Level 3:
- Being able to count and maintain timing is the absolute minimum to continue to Bachata 3. Timing becomes more relevant. Being able to count while executing your steps is a must, for you to know where you are “and” to be able to observe/check if you and your dance partner are in sinc with each other and with the music.
- Basic understanding about the concept of timing is a must know skillset in dance.
- Basic Bodycontrol, being able to execute Bolero technique, Basic Waves, Pinsa, Looking for the stars and more. Execution as individual and in partnering.
- Mastering the techniques from Bachata Level 2. What does this mean?
- In Bachata 3 we combine everything you have learned in Bachata 1+2.
- More dynamic and complex combinations by multitasking and adding new techniques in Bachata
- level 3 you learn more about body mechanics.
Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Bachata Level 2 Improver you are ready to move up to our next level: Bachata Level 3!
If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.
Bachata Level 3: Improver-Intermediate
- It is recommended to follow this level for 8 months -12 months to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
- In this ongoing level the focus is on A LOT of partnering skills to help you be a great partner on the dance floor. Techniques like turn & rotation, traveling turns, balance and connection.
- You will also start to become a more complete dancer by mixing up Partnering and Shines (dancing solo), which will improve your connection to the music and will test & develop your solo dance and expression.
- You will level up in these classes adding speed, different directions, stylings, music interpretation and much more!
- The subject matter is different per class. So, for example, if you take the Bachata Improver-Intermediate lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques.
Requirements to start with Bachata Level 4:
- Follow Bachata 3 classes 8-12 months
- Minimum theoretical/practical understanding about the following
- Bodymechanics
- Bodymovement-Bodycontroll-Bodyawereness
- Connecting with dancepartner, sincing bodymovements,
- Importance of timing
- Accelerations (when and how)
- Positional awareness (and how this works for or against you and your dance partner)
- Turntechnique
- Frame awareness
- Dance psychology (monolog versus dialog, how your character transposes into your dance, the ego, you dance the way you live)
- Dynamic between shines & partnerwork (the full experience = what Bachata is all about)
- What makes a good leader & follower
- Light leading & following
- Common mistakes in partner dance
- Musicality & what does musicality mean
- maintaining timing is an absolute must!!!
Techniques from Bachata 3:
- Bolero technique and how this comes back in many Sensual techniques
- Pinza
- Different Waves
- Head roll
- Impulso
- Shadow position and the many possibilities/dynamic it brings to the dance
- The importance of Body tention
- Hip throw
- Diagonal Variations: Madris step or La Chunga
- Understanding the pendulum movement
- Dip
- Open position frame techniques
- Travel and Axel turns
- Decorations
- Breaks
- Musicality
These are just some examples for you to check if you master these techniques, theoretical and practical knowledge is required.
Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Bachata Level 3 you are ready to move up to our next level: Bachata Level 4 – Intermediate!
If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.
Bachata Level 4: Intermediate
Currently under construction
- In this ongoing level the focus is on leveling up the techniques & theory from the previous levels.
- Your individual technique skills and style will become more important in your solo dance and partnerwork.
- We will work and test your balance, soft lead-follow skills, add variety in timing and speed, multi-tasking capabilities, core & balance control and extra spins.
- You will have fun while being challenged physically and mentally.
- To keep building & growing as a dancer it requires commitment and dedication. With that, you can accomplish a lot!
- Recommended to follow this level for a minimum of 9 months up to a year to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
- The subject matter is different per class. So, for example, if you take the Bachata Intermediate lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques!
Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Bachata Intermediate level you are ready to move up to our next level: Bachata Intermediate-Advanced!
– To enter Bachata Intermediate-advanced consent of teacher is required.
If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.
Bachata Level 5: Intermediate-Advanced
Currently under construction
- In this ongoing level the focus is on challenging yourself to bring out your best!
- You now understand lots of techniques and theory. We focus on what needs to be improved, the nuances, your lead & follow, your musicality and ability to express yourself in styling and shines in different ways on different types of music. Awareness, dips & tricks, flavor & spice will be added to your dance!
- Besides having a good time and fun together, this class also has the mentality of “BRING IT ON”. You should be able to process the class material and you strive to mastering it. Our goal is to help you grow even more, to test your skills.
Permission required to participate in this level!
Bachata Body Movement Basics (Solo)
- In this ongoing class the focus is on adding flavour and style to your dancing while getting a great workout! Being able to move to the rhythm is the true essence of dancing Bachata and besides it will take your solo and partnering abilities to a whole other level.
- Recommended for All Levels dancers on an ongoing basis.