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What’s so fun about dancing a dance in a side to side manner with twings and twangs of the guitar?

This is what non-bachateros ask us. I am sure you heard such question before, right? You could still remember their smirk and mocking facial expressions.

But you see, bachata dancing is beyond side to side steps… It’s being ONE with the music.

I didn’t realize it then, but in my 12 years of dancing bachata, it had become an eye-opening journey. Based on my extensive research, my article, “Bachata Dance, an innovative approach” (search google), I wrote how innovation as an intensive process, a journey, a life changing experience.

Today, as I travel the world over, teaching bachata, I have seen and experienced it all; Dominican bachata, bachatango, European style, Modern, Moderna, tracidional, bachata rueda, the lists goes on and on…bachata has grown and is growing fast!

Bachata is also now being recognized by DJs, clubs, Latin promoters, Grammys, and mind you, even the current president of the United States (Obama honors Aventura, search google).

How is bachata suppose to be danced anyways?

From what I’ve seen so far, bachata is danced with different interpretations. Most students interpret the dance and music on their own, and some just follow their teacher’s instructions.

But I have been noticing something (that doesn’t fit) that I am compelled to note here… There is no feeling, no passion and flavor is missing. It is becoming mechanical. What gives?

Let me offer a few solutions (concepts I teach in my workshops)…

- Listen to the music. A vital ingredient that must be included during a dance. For example, some salsa dancers fail to listen to the beat. When there’s a pause or break, they fail to recognize it and still doing innumerable patterns and spins. It’s also becoming of bachata dancers.

- No connection with the partner This is why I always emphasize the ABC’s of connection in the beginning of all my classes. Just like in a love relationship, connection is a must otherwise, there’s no emotion and relationship becomes boring. Dancing bachata is a 3 to 4 minutes relationship. It’s a short journey that can go long for more without being aware that the music has ceased.

- Recognize the Trinity, 3 in 1 The music, you and your partner…you are three yet one while dancing. 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 and not 1 + 1 +1 = 3.

-Have you tried closing your eyes when your heads touch together? You’d be surprised at the dramatic effects and transformations while dancing.

- Get to know every bachata songs played. Put ‘em on iPod and listen to them everyday. Especially for non-Spanish speaking, google the songs and translate the lyrics. Your Dominican style footwork will improve tremendously and you will be able to feel the music more.

- Listen to the instruments of the music; congas, bass, guitar, etc

- Complicated patterns are designed to IMPRESS. You dance bachata not to impress but to FEEL.

- Relax, no pressure! If you can’t move your hips, don’t move your hips! You don’t need to move your hips, but if you are able, do it! Dancing bachata is meant to be fun and in a relax manner.

- If you are not performing, do not do performance tricks, jumps or acrobats on the dancefloor It’s is about feeling the music and it’s being one with your partner, closed position or open position, it makes no difference. Bachata dancing is fun, energetic at times, or emotional and sexy as well.

Dance like no one is watching. Most importantly, bachata is not a set form and it’s not just one form.

To quote Bruce Lee who was once a Chachacha champion, “Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -

http://www.rodneyaquino.com - http://www.rodchata.com

Renown dance teachers, Rodchata and Camille Yannantuono recently teamed up to go on a world tour for the remaining year of 2009.

Get ready and learn from the best. Rodchata and Camille will be offering dance workshops of bachata, salsa, bolero, tango and merengue.

Schedule:

August

- California Bachata Congress , Los Angeles

- Latin Dance Bootcamp, Honolulu, Hawaii

September

- Chicago

- Bachaturo Poland Festival, Warsaw

- Lithuania Bachata Festival, Vilnius

October

- Brusells (TBC)

- Norway

- Sexy and Sensual Festival - London

Stay tuned, more to come…

LATIN DANCE STIMULUS DVDs, Buy ‘em here...

RODCHATA DANCE SOCIETY GROUP AND “JUST DANCE” BALLROOM PRESENTS:

BACHATA DOMINICANA Y MODERNA, a weekly classes starting this August 7th, every Friday

Taught by Rodchata + Guest Instructors

LEARN THE FOLLOWING FAMOUS MOVES BY RODCHATA…

ALL LEVELS WELCOME

Gentlemen, learn and train how to get close, lead and hold a woman!

Ladies, learn how to EXPLOIT every lead that is offered and knock his socks off!

- Wedge
- Jeison Wrap
- Charge!
- GBH
- Back Pedal
- 360
- ATW
- Sensuality 101
- Roll With Me
- Dominican
- footwork
- Modern
- Fusion
- plus much more

NON-INTIMIDATING!

SIMPLE MOVES!

LEARN BACHATA, ENHANCE YOUR BACHATA, DANCE BACHATA…

COST: $10 + PRACTICA

LOCATION:

JUST DANCE BALLROOM, 2500 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA

 

Rodchata,

Just wanted to thank you for being out there and trying to promote the heck out of bachata….remember that message I sent about an advanced bachata workshop you were going to teach. I asked in a manner that was probably interpreted as “what’s so advanced about bachata?”. Well, just the fact that I saw the words “advanced” made me think what I never bother to. I spend every moment of just about every day thinking how I can be a better salsero. I never thought to myself, what can I do to make myself a better bachatero?

Thus, I commited to taking your Bachata Cornerstones workshop at the Dallas Salsa Congress. Despite the fact that I’m a salsero who LOVES turn patterns, I turned down some Santo Rico patterns for a class that I didn’t think I’d get anything out of (crazy right?). I was thinking maybe, just maybe, there’d be something new to me. Even though it didn’t say “advanced“, I had to see what there was about bachata that I hadn’t seen before. I figured “There just had to be if someone was gonna teach a workshop on it right?” We’re talking about the dance that I show most of my students the basic concepts in about 5 minutes. I never thought of bachata as advanced. I know eveybody dances different and I remember when you once told me the 3 main types of bachateros out there. I know it’s supposed to be sensual but unless my partner is somebody I’m comfortable with or someone I’m dating, I don’t. I dance sensual when I think it’s called for, do footwork when I need space, and turns if the ladies want them. But even with hammerlocks, turns, footwork, hand tosses and other moves I was able to convert from salsa to bachata I wasn’t sure if I’d be up to par where I could say I’m an “advanced” bachatero.

If there’s anything I hate, “yes HATE is a strong word but it applies here” is when I want to achieve a level of greatness in something that I do, and not be sure of how to measure my skill level. Every girl can say I’m a great dancer but if there’s a syllabus, requirement, etc…I want to know. I want to be great to them…and to the requirement…that’s just how I am. I know dance is supposed to be fun…but why not be fun dancer and great dancer all in one. I took the class thinking I wouldn’t get anything out of your workshop…………and I want to thank you.

About 30 minutes into it, I told myself “Damnit Rodchata, you better teach me something I don’t already know“. It bothered me because I turned down a workshop from one of the best salseros out there and didn’t see myself learning anything new besides the one thing that I had already picked up from one of your myspace vids….you know, the leg humping looking move. After the workshop, I searched my innerself for more and told myself “you better be a badass bachatero whether there was new stuff or not….you took a bachata workshop….you better be looking better out on the dance floor now. If this workshop wasn’t labeled “advanced” there had to be more out there.” Then it hit me…..I was about to take for granted some important advice that nobody ever told me about bachata, and all of it all made sense.

Point in case..bachata is lead from the hips….I can’t tell you how much more stuff I’ve made up just because somebody finally told me that. And what I already knew looks better. When you have your arms around someone, it’s easy to want to lead w/your arms….especially as a salsero. Leading from the hips is waaaayy better. I try to lead just about everything from the hips.

Then you addressed to squeeze the ladies legs between ours if she feels insecure about support. HUGE difference!!! Most of the back and forth leans have them on one foot and although I know I won’t drop them, they always don’t. This had helped alot.
Just the fact that me and my partner connected more this weekend brought out the beast in us….I busted out some new turns..dunno where they came from because I can’t seem to convert those into salsa. If I would’ve had one more bachata on Saturday I would’ve been checking my pants….you’re the man bro. I now know advanced….or do I? Let me know when you have a bachata event…and if you need performers, count me in…..I’ll even send a video to qualify if I have to. 

El Bachatero Guerro “yes I just coined that”
aka “El Pollo Loco” or
Richard Ortiz http://www.myspace.com/richsalsa

After being told by the dance studio’s receptionist that the workshop had been moved to another location, I walked for about one block to the said location. The first thing I noticed upon walking into the Metronome’s Block Room was numerous people waiting for Rodchata to show up.

Ten minutes have passed and Rodchata finally showed up.

The workshop has brought together diverse dancers from several disciplines. I for one, had been dancing Swing for 6 years. Others I interacted with are from several dance studios in the Bay Area: Reggie Wilson and his wife are Dublin based, Rhythm Street Studio. Luis Herrea hails from Caribbean Gardens, and Ras Perez is a Dominican-based salsa dancer. Read more here…

Despite all the crap, the tribulations and the trials of life we all go through, there’s always that space provided for us to appreciate and enjoy what life has to offer.

Enjoying life to its fullest for me is appreciating small things around me.

Here’s My Top Absolute 25 things to fully enjoy life…(not only you’d be happy, but you will be able to maintain a positive outlook on everything)

25. Walk! Don’t take the bus or don’t drive you car. If you have a camera, bring it with you. You’d be surprise what you can actually see when you have a camera in your hand. It makes you notice things you’ve never seen or appreciated before – things that you don’t see normally yet they’re there all along. I recently have done this and walked all of the streets of San Francisco and it was an awesome time.

24. Take your friend to dinner. It doesn’t have to be a date! Call someone you haven’t hung out in a while and catch-up. Go to a new restaurant and just let it be; let the conversation flow with good food.

23. Drive to the beach early in the morning. You can either stay in your car or go outside staring at the ocean for half and hour. It’s a form of meditation and reflection. The sound of the ocean is an absolute therapy.

22. Watch a movie once-a-week. ALONE! Seriously, there is something meaningful when you watch a movie alone. I highly recommend watching Independent or Foreign films.

21. Play Poker! Now, I’m not telling you to become a gambler, but play poker with your friends. My friend Jenesa host a salsa poker once-a-month and let me tell you, it’s damn fun!

20. Log on to several Social Network. If you haven’t done this, you’re missing out. It can be salsa, bachata, or a non-dance network group. Sign up, build your profile and post away and express your opinion. It doesn’t really matter whether millions would listen to you, but it’s for you to express yourself.

19. Take a dance class. No, don’t bring a partner. Learn a dance you like that you’ve never danced before and go there with an “empty cup” and open mind. Not only you’d get to meet new friends but you’d get know another side of you.

18. Go and travel! If you have the money, fly somewhere far. If you are tight on a budget, drive somewhere far. Do not go on the tourist spots but go to places where the locals hangout. Bring camera, etc.

17. Read a book. It doesn’t matter whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. Follow your gut-feeling, buy a book and finish reading it. You’d be surprised how enlightening it is.

16. Flirt with someone. Flirting is an art. Some are natural at it and some need to really learn how to flirt. A flirt can be innocent, healthy and just plain fun.

15. Attend a dance congress or festival. It’s a weekend full of people, dancing and workshops. To get the whole essence of the event, buy a full pass and stay at the event’s hotel. Do not attend the big ones. I recommend a bachata festival; you get to meet and dance with everyone, making new friends at the same time.

14. Go to the wine country on a date. There’s just something about wine tasting and enjoying the whole wine country atmosphere. It’s so serene.

13. Visit your parents! Spend time with your mom or your dad. Nope, don’t wait for thanksgiving. You will make them happy.

12. Go to the gym! A healthy heart goes a long way enjoying life at its fullest. Take a cardio class and spend time at the sauna after.

11. Challenge your fear of heights! Bungee jumped, sky dive or fly a plane. You’ll be proud of yourself you did it.

10. Dance with someone more than once. Recognizing chemistry and appreciating it is enjoying what life has to offer.

9. Take a private lesson. Going beyond an interest on a certain dance you like is an investment. Private lessons corrects your ego, fixes your foundation and fundamental problems.

8. Talk to a stranger! “Hi” is the best line-opener you can ever deliver. Location isn’t important. You can be in a plane, a bus, a train on walking on a street, enhancing your social skill.

7. Enjoy a facial treatment. Get a full-body massage. Why not, eh? Pampering yourself from time to time is part of enjoying life.

6. Go to the doctor every 6 months. Yup, physical check-up is part of enjoying life. You don’t go to a doctor when there’s something wrong. Prevention is the key to living life at its fullest.

5. Tantric Sex. Extended orgasm, anyone? Tantric sex will reinvigorate your lovemaking. If you like Kama Sutra manuals, you’d even love tantric sex.

4. Laugh hysterically! Go and see stand up comic with your friends. It is very true; laughter is the best medicine.

3. Watch a Broadway musical. I recommend Les Miserable’s or Phantom of the Opera. Bring a date and dressed up a little.

2. Compliment your love one. It feels good to make someone smile. “I can live for two months on a good compliment. - Twain”

1. Look at yourself in the mirror, smile and say, “God, I love you.”

Organization
The workshop, like all Salsa Extravaganza-sponsored workshops, was held at the Wyndham Resort. It’s a great hotel located in Palm Springs, with sizeable workshop rooms.

Friday – Bachata Basics
The capacity of the room was 100 people, it was small. Of course, for the organizer’s sake, I would like to see workshops be located in a bigger room. But from a purely selfish perspective, it was *amazing* to have one hour with Rodchata where he was able to make the class fun in a very crowded room. Since almost everybody taking the work shop had only been dancing for at least 1 or 4 years, he was able to teach at a basic level and explained several concepts in a fresh manner. It was at a more advance basic level than most of the workshops I’ve gotten to take. He did a great job of adjusting his teaching to the skills of the people in the room.

Rodchata also made a point of first teaching the basic steps, then adding what he called the “connection” – being one with your partner, hand placement, facial expressions, when to breathe, all the stuff that makes a partner dance look natural.

He has a cute way of speaking, ending almost every other sentence with “yes?” or “yeah?” Along with just being his own recognizable way of speaking, it also is his way of confirming that the class is keeping up with his teaching.

Saturday - Advance Workshop
Saturday workshop was fairly difficult, but good. (Well, I say that, but it could well have been for REALLY advance dancers) But it was nice to see what advance bachata workshop was all about. The workshop was done before anyone could get burnt out or bored. There was some cheer when Camille Yanantuono, who was watching the workshop, dashed to Rodchata and dance with him for a few seconds. I could tell that the advance dancers enjoyed it.

Rodchata stuck around after the workshop to videotape a segment of what he taught. He was very gracious about posing for pictures and chatting with students.

Sunday – All levels Workshop
Sunday, we covered bachata in general sense. Yet again, I was very happy for the class size and a bigger room. We were all able to dance in rotation without hitting each other. I don’t think it’s ever possible to completely avoid some mayhem when a room is overcrowded.

Rodchata taught his own preferred style of bachata dancing, which includes a little more influence drawn from the traditional as well as modern. He also includes some ways of merging certain moves that are not culturally authentic, though they are quite awesome. Rodchata, although not from a Dominican decent is extremely knowledgeable about the history and cultural context of bachata, and includes a lot of information about how to dance modern bachata without losing the traditional look.

He started the class by taking us through different basic steps concept and technique, then teaching us his new ways of feeling the music, the conga and the bass. Once we were up to speed, he taught a very nice kind of modern movements with a hint of romance and sensuality. It had a good Dominican flavor, while incorporating some fun extras like the turns, and a fun little trick where we kind of bend our knees on the third beat. I can’t describe it, but it was nice and it worked with the music. He managed it pretty well, and when the class tried it, there was a lot of giggling on the floor.

Overall Impressions
I wholeheartedly recommend taking a workshop with Rodchata. He is so down-to-earth, funny, and is obviously committed to making students feel like they come away from a workshop with as much valuable information as possible.

The influences of Dominican style and Modern are very clear in his dancing and teaching. So if you are a big fan of both styles, you will get a nice taste of it in any of his workshops. I have taken workshops with several bachata teachers in Europe and United States. While their teaching styles can be quite different, Rodchata takes a lot of history, tradition, his own style with other combinations and presents it in a much accessible workshop. He has a very rich background in Latin dancing.

He does, however, take those influences, and really makes his dance his own. The little details and nuances he teaches in his workshops are valuable for learning how to show your own personality in your dance. I think he excels at teaching the details that take technically correct movements and fill them with vibrancy and personality.