Street latin dances like Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba are commonly known for being a social dance that involves two person dancing. Although partnerwork comprises of a big part of the latin dance, the solo or shines segment is equally important and practiced widely.
Shines, as per the names suggests, is when an individual is free to shine on their own. This is greatly determined by the lead, when they decide to initiate a shines segment.
Here are 5 reasons why it’s time to focus on improving solo shines.
Improves Your Confidence
Dancing with someone always gives you additional comfort, but dancing entirely alone, now that’s something else altogether. Being able to do it all on your own. You can interpret the music however you want. No more frustrations that your partner doesn’t feel and hear the music like you do! And ladies, yes, you are totally in control of your own moves here, whoohoo! Do what you want, however you want.
Improves Your Balance
In partnerwork, you have your partner to help balance you should there need be. When you do solo dancing, you’re entirely on your own. It’s important to be able to do it on your own to ensure that you don’t end up being too heavy in your partnerwork. Your partner (lead) is there to guide and invite you into a move, the lead is not there to drag and force you along, as a follower you need to be able to complete moves on your own with little force. As a lead, you do not want to have to rely on your follower to keep you stable and balanced. A stable leader is one that a follower will feel more confident doing dips with. You need to be able to take your own weight and not require the lady to stabilize you.
Improves Your Self-Awareness (about yourself and space)
Instead of being so busy focusing on your partner, you can focus on yourself and watch how you really move. How much space you take, how your hands go. In partnerwork, your hands are occupied and you never quite need to think about where to put your hands. Do solo work and you realise that your hands have a mind of their own, they’re everywhere! You also get to focus and watch every move you do.
Can be Done Anywhere, Anytime, on your own
Hear awesome music in the middle of the street? You can groove to it entirely on your own! You don’t need a partner to do this, you can practice and do your freestyle anytime, anywhere. The bedroom, the shower, in the middle of the day, or even at our 3am slot!
Be freer to express yourself
You can interpret the music however you want. No more frustrations that your partner doesn’t feel and hear the music like you do! And ladies, yes, you are totally in control of your own moves here, whoohoo! Do what you want, however you want. Of course, remember that it’s still salsa/bachata!
Work on your fundamentals
When you’re busy doing partnerwork, many times we rush through moves, and don’t complete them. Now you get to go back to the basics and ensure that you do them right. You get to focus entirely on yourself instead of figuring out your partner’s steps as well.
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