Is there a quick tip to remember to use/extend the arm in both ballroom and latin? I can't seem to remember to extend my arms...help

For girls, think "hairball"- you pick it up with your middle-finger and thumb, the elbow leads, then the forearm, then the wrist, and then finally the hand (never have your palm face an audience). Ladies also dance "from the heart" as in, your motions radiate outward and sometimes upward from there. Guys dance from the 'heart' only in a different way... it's like they've stood in a doorway, pressing against the sills, so that when they step away, their arms 'levitate' away from their center, their palms also away.

JMO, could be wrong.

Thanks - very helpful tip

The easiest way I get my students to extend their arms is to tell them ALWAYS elbow first. Whether extending or retracting the arm... elbow first. After extended, rotate the arm so the palm is up and bring your elbow into your stomach to retract.... I also make sure that it is not looking like a cheerleader motion lol!!! If it's rumba use the whole QQS to utilize motion in your arms and core.

Hi there march,

OK this might not be the most effective way, but my students seem to like this...In the rumba I always say: "take a shooter glass" (thumb and middle finger) with your favourite shot in it, then you slowly take it and place it on the counter. (palm shows to the floor) now with samba and cha-cha I say, take the tot glass again but with your least favourite shot in it.. and throw it away! That way you get more of a cheeky, rolling action in your arm, as opposed to the soft rumba arm

Hope this helped...

March7691. I was once told that if i threw a paper party streamer. The last thing that would be used is the hand all the way to the fingers. I was also told that the arms must be used in Latin. Even if the arms are at first a bit uncoordinated they sould be used rather than not used at all.

Two or three things....don't get too down on yourself. It is very hard to coordinate all of the things you are supposed to be remembering. As more things become part of your kinesthetic memory and you can do them without thinking you'll be able to get more sophisticated and pay more attention to your arms.

Number Next: Remember that you use your arms to balance. Like little kids trying to balance on the curb. If you think of them as an assitance rather then one more thing...it makes it less honerous.

Last of my observations: I had a hard time incorporating my arms until...my instructor videotaped me not using my arms versus using my arms. Until then I had this thing in the back of my head where I felt stupid using them and then I saw Yikes!! I looked even more stupid and BORING and SLOW not using them. Pretty much cured me except when I'm first learning the new steps to a routine.

Using the arms in Latin has to be felt. Many teachers steer clear of anthing that would suggest the arms should go exactly there. It can look very artificial. What we do though is the same arm exercises that the Ballet Dancers do. We do them to Rumba Music. To go into a little more detail. We stand with our feet toe to heel. Hands down in front then arms up on the count of 2 with a nice shape of the hands. Then turn the hands outwards and bring them out and down to the starting position for 3 4 1. Any Ballet Person can show how this should be done. It does help as long as it is not done like a physicle training thing.Feel the music. Keep a curve in the arms like holding a giant ball.If you have someone in the studio who has done Ballet training get them to lead the class.

WOW!!!! Thanks everyone. Haven't been on the site for a while and so just getting caught up on your responses. I will try each technique and see which one (s) I find most comfortable. Again, thanks for the tips.

I had the same problem with being inhibited using my arms. I decided to take bellydance classes and it worked. I love to use my arms now.