Practicing Styling Alone
Posted 3/18/09
 Wow..you don't know how happy am I:),I thought you won't have time in reply to me,thank you so......much!
I been dancing salsa about 6 years,I really want to get more lady styling in my dance,but I'm not sure how to makes it better,beside go to social dance,how can I practice [by] myself? What do you suggest? I hope I won't bother you.
-- kisses, Genie; Taiwan
 Hi Genie,
I'll always make the time to reply, even if it's a month later during my busy times :)
Always remember that following is always first, styling is second. What sense does it make to look good on the dance floor if no one wants to dance with you because you're doing your own thing? No matter what styling you do, work it in around his lead. Make sure you remain connected at all times, but never ever tense your elbow or that will make you feel heavy for him.
Keeping this in mind, first thing you need to do is decide what style it is you want to work toward, then focus on the details that get you to that point. The key to styling is not about doing a lot of moves at once. It's about doing a lot with a little and understanding the mechanics of your body and how to engage every last muscle possible. Work on one thing at a time while isolating that muscle from the rest of your body. Then, build on incorporating everything together when you want to.
There are a few key things to keep in mind for styling while partnering:
1) Movement is never carried into the arms when he is holding them. If you roll your shoulder, that never pulls your arm so he can lead you into anything without feeling your styling. If you add a body wave out of a turn, you don't pull your arms down at the end or you will carry him down with you.
2) All movement is carried around your axis (your center). You should never feel as though you are about to fall into your back step just because you did a wave or a circle. All movement should be able to be carried out one leg alone. If you can't do that, then that means you are using your partner as an anchor.
3) All arms, with some exceptions, happen at the end of a turn when you see your partner with your peripheral vision. The elbow always remain next to your head so you do not hit him. It is great to practice arm styling right next to a wall so you can practice being confined by space. If you hit the wall, then you've hit your partner.
Ladies' styling is such an broad subject... There's styling with your arms, body movement, fingers, legs, head..... But more than anything, it is about being you. Don't overthink it and forget to have fun,
Ana :)
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