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