Glad to help :~}

This is a very common problem and you're not the only one who has trouble with it. Cuban motion is more easily understood if you explain to your students that it is the same motion the is created when we walk up stairs. That being said, I teach my students to bring their feet together and slowly change body weight from side to side ie:all weight on the right,now all the weight on the left and repeat,take your time,now begin to lift the knee as high as you can without your toe leaving the floor.First we pretend to be in water, then salt water,then sand, then mud, you get the idea, you have to consciously use resistance with every move in order to get the proper look and feel of cuban motion. I find that once my students have this understanding they progress much more rapidly in this tricky motion. I hope this helps. Tom Ramon, Greenville,Texas

One has to be careful when giving advice in writing about a complex subject as " motion ".

And it should be noted that there are 2 distinct types of action.. One is lateral and the other is a progressive.

Terence, can you elaborate just a bit on the difference between lateral and progressive as it relates to Cuban motion. I agreed with an earlier poster who said you can feel like you are starting to get the hang of Cuban motion in isolated exercises and practices, but incorporating it into a dance properly is a whole different game. It seems to me that one could do the lateral motion fairly well, but struggle with progressive and not realize it, or vice versa? Please share your thoughts.

Terence wrote: "And it should be noted that there are 2 distinct types of action.. One is lateral and the other is a progressive."

Actually there are more variations than that. Each of those actions has an International version and an American version. If you want to go outside of ballroom you can find several more versions.

The " american " version is essentially the same as taught in the Intern. style, just with a later leg straightening .In fact, many of the studios in the states are now reverting to the more Intern, style action

As to other " styles " of cuban , I would be interested to know what you consider " other " ?

I teach and dance " "street " style Mambo/ Salsa and Guajira all using a traditional type motion.

Terence wrote: "The " american " version is essentially the same as taught in the Intern. style, just with a later leg straightening."

Yes, but that action produces something that looks considerably different. If also feels completely different. If you only know one version you won't be able to do the other without lot of practice.

If you want an example of some different Cuban motion outside ballroom, look up Afro-Cuban rumba on YouTube. Here is one example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elDbIG38lDA

Once more.. Ive been dancing and teaching that "style " for nigh on 50yrs.. taught to me by " latinos " who were highly trained Prof..

As I said, you should check my Vid clip on my web when its complete.


PS.. and dont believe all you see or thats written on UTube or many of those types of sites.. there is a lot of mis information.. living and or coming from a latin country, has little or no, to do with teaching and or dancing . I know.. i,ve taught hundreds of them ! .

Lateral motion can be seen ( if danced correctly ) when dancing to a clave rhythm which is a side travelling motion in some cases .

The more common usage is the " figure 8 " used in an Intern, style basic.''

I,m in the process of making a short vid clip for my web site where i will be "demming " some different styles of Guajira,, Cha and Mambo/ Salsa.

If you are interested in some info. on dance evolution,and music, go to....

cubansalsadorset.co.uk/ ..

go to "articles "

tommramon. Anything anybody would need to know about the Cuban Motion is right here on this site.Simply click on Learning Centre. Then if there is something not understood just ask the question. I'm sure Jonathan would answer if asked.
A lecture i attended given by Alan Fletcher, which was taped and which i still have. He said If he wrote an instruction book he would get rid of the term ball flat and replace it with inside edge of big toe.