I am with my third instructor since i started ballroom dancing. Of course, every instructor explains lation motion differently, yet maybe they mean the same thing.

My big question is, does latin motion come from the hips, knees or foot placement ? My current instructor seems to emphasize that it comes from the bend in the knees. A previous instructor worked more on foot placement - you roll your foot from the inside to the outside to produce the motion. If it makes any difference, i am an American style dancer.

Anybody care to reason with me on this ever so popular topic ? I'd like to hear from someone in the competing world as well.

I was always taught that it comes mainly from the bend in the knees, as for the feet the steps should be short ones for optimum results.

I'm still not that good at it yet, but am practising.

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport" - Vince Lombardi

All of the above ... plus the abs, the lower back, and just about every muscle in your legs.

Oh, and the best thing of all? The motions used generally vary from dance to dance, especially on the international side.

Good luck ...

Thanks guys and girls. I knew that i would get good arguments for or against the statement. I find it easier to think about bending my knees to work the motion. Luckily this is something you can really practice anywhere, waiting in line for the cashier or taking a walk to the water cooler. And that is about what it will take for me to relearn the motion. Now, i know why i favor the smooth dances...

In the shower, in the phone booth; possibilities are endless.

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport" - Vince Lombardi

All of the movements of the various body parts are inter-connected. Whether you think of the knees causing the hips or vice-versa, the goal is to end up with the same result. The question is usually which approach works better as a method of instruction, or more specifically, which works better for you as an individual.

Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson

I say it's a combination of the ribcage and the knees and the hips are an end result!

You'll get many different answers on this...find what works for you.

Oops, I missed this before. I would discourage this particular technique--it's outdated per every coach I've had in the last 5 years. It's slow, and hard on your joints.

Always roll feet in Cha cha cha and jive!!!

hips and knees