5 Concepts for Creative Salsa Shines

[@thedancedojo]

Give these ideas a try and let me know how they go for you in the comments! Here's some timestamps: 0:45 - Intro 1:12 - Intention 2:42 - Levels 4:03 - Angles, Direction Changes & Rotations 5:41 - Traveling 7:17 - Your Focus

[@kushegga95]

I've been doing salsa for a while now and I've always had trouble with shines. Not with the steps themselves but noticing other dancers (particularly some of the teachers ) seem to do the same steps but make it seem so much better and more natural. This video really helped break it down and what I want to work on rather just trying to learn more complicated shines. You're a lifesaver, Robin! :)

[@thedancedojo]

So great to hear it! Keep at it and it will all come in time. Focus on the fundamentals and don't get distracted by all the fancy shiny objects. -Robin

[@sheilachua3696]

Very good tips . Can stay simple but effectively interesting as many teachers used to teach more complicated shines and is harder to follow and stay on the count 😅

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Sheila, happy it was helpful! I like to keep things simple :) -Robin

[@garyallen1473]

Great advice. I am fairly new and was trying to learn everything, which was causing errors and partners not really enjoying dancing with me. When I started focusing on what I already did well and improved my current moves and added on slowly I became a better lead and dancer that others now enjoy dancing with.

[@thedancedojo]

Right on Gary, that's definitely the way to go! It's easy to get caught up learning more and more without refining and really owning what we already know. Keep it up man! -Robin

[@d.deborahjones8783]

From a follow perspective, I would totally agree Gary. :)

[@irmamutuc1833]

Confidence goes a long, long way into adding personal nuances to one's dancing. Thanks again for the generous tips.

[@thedancedojo]

A healthy dose of confidence is always recommended when you can muster it :) thanks Irma! -Robin

[@irmamutuc1833]

@@thedancedojo I'm working on it, Robin. I still get very self-conscious when I'm dancing with strangers. I tend to just watch when I'm in the company of aficionados during salsa fests. Your videos are such a wonderful resource. I recently moved from Manila to a country town in Victoria, Australia and haven't found a salsa teacher/class yet. I know there's a bustling salsa community in Melbourne but that's a long drive away. In the meantime, and since my dance shoes have been put away far too long, you and your videos are the next best thing.

Thank you very much!!!

[@thedancedojo]

You're welcome! -robin

[@fineart10]

Stunning... Tks

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Arturo, glad you enjoyed! -Robin

[@yoidoretennshi777]

Wow, these 5 concepts really create more variations to each shine very easily, yet each variation gives very big visual difference even making a beginner appear a bit professional lol, awesome!! Many thanks Robin, this video helps me quite a lot as I am learning several shines by myself in this quarantine period !!!

[@thedancedojo]

Haha you'll be pro in no time Tetsuro! Keep it up -Robin

[@areadnadelacruz8865]

Increíbles consejos, súper bien pensados!!!

[@thedancedojo]

Muchas gracias Adreadna! -Robin

[@albertogonzalez-yx2kx]

Gracias por compartir el conocimiento 👍

[@thedancedojo]

con mucho gusto!

[@fatmanursezgin6578]

very helpful !!

[@thedancedojo]

awesome glad it helped! robin

[@victorenrique2178]

I paid $600 at a dance class in the East Coast just to get pointers and tips which I did not get. I learned a lot of tips just watching all your videos. Great instructional videos man. Keep it flowing. I miss the Socials so I can do what I learned from all your videos. Thank you. I hope this pandemic restrictions will end soon.

[@thedancedojo]

Wow that means a lot - thanks! Glad you're enjoying Victor. Stay well and i hope we all get dancing soon. -Robin

[@Jetzaelcomparte]

Details change everything. Thank you for the video again! Fantastic!

[@thedancedojo]

My pleasure, glad you liked Jetzael! Hope you can add in some of those little details :) -Robin

[@amgokes]

YES!! My basic will definitely be refined. Wish you could demonstrate with music at the end but this works. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you liked it Amah! -Robin

[@deekay12758]

Robin, You win today :-). this is the most insightful video every created on youtube. thank you so much. you made the concept more clear.

[@thedancedojo]

Wow, thanks! really glad it can help Deepak. That means a lot :) -Robin

[@maritwoudenberg615]

Love this one!!! Thanks!

[@thedancedojo]

You're so welcome! -Robin

[@negatif9163]

Especially, i liked at 3:10 and 3:20 Thanks

[@thedancedojo]

You're welcome! Thanks :) -robin

[@harshardkm285]

Great advice Dojo. Injvae to try those 5 concept with little variations. After I master it I will update you. Thanks alot. Bcz you dont knw how much you impact in my dance life. I'm following each and every of you vdo. Again thanks , be safe and God bless you.💙

[@thedancedojo]

That means so much KM. So happy we can be a part of the dance journey with you! -Robin

[@RadostinaM]

Hi Robin, you are my treasure! I have started watch your videos only two week ago. I'm a key worker. Most of my salsa friends don't work and have plenty of time to develop their shines, turns, body movement.. I'm so tristy to dance by myself and improve my salsa and bachata as well. But I have split my time between working, my tired body and stadiing English (now the College is online) . I haven't time and I haven't money for online dance lessons. So... Exactly when I felt sad and down because of my fears that, when we start to dance again, I will want to stay on the corner only and whach... Bum! I found your teaching! Your advices are so clear, short(saving time), convenient, interesting and GOOD!!! Thank you so much! You save my heart, mood and smile! I wish you the happiness that you are giving to people.. to come back to you multiplied! I'm going to improve even with my lack of time&£! Hope to dance one day with you so I can say Thank you with my better Me and improved dance style :) And... one more : with your teaching you help us to improve our movement, our self confidence but also you gave us space and ideas to be ourselves as well. Amazing!!!

[@thedancedojo]

Wow, that was such a nice message to read :) I'm so glad the lessons can help you between all your work and studying. Good for you for giving yourself the time to enjoy something and work hard at it! I really appreciate your kind encouraging words. I'll keep going and making more videos. Thanks for joining me! -Robin

[@JosueSanchez-ly7tv]

Sigo sin tener ni puta idea de inglés, pero tus videos los comprendo;) eres un Asss

[@thedancedojo]

Que genial Josue, me alegro mucho leer eso! Y qué es un asss 🤔? jaja en inglés es un idiota 😅 -robin

[@JosueSanchez-ly7tv]

@@thedancedojo Ass de poker

[@JosueSanchez-ly7tv]

@@thedancedojo eres muy bueno!

[@thedancedojo]

@@JosueSanchez-ly7tv aaaa jaja dale, muchas gracias hermano! -robin

[@chinemzy]

Could you suggest salsa songs that I can easily download on Android phone. thank you

[@thedancedojo]

If you want to download songs use Spotify. They have lots of salsa playlists and you can check out ours here: open.spotify.com/playlist/77EoaUwPPYIV1gTvwQHBT8?si=A25Dsn-3S6yp0Hx2gch6OQ

[@jaycie2213]

Where is your school in Medellin?

[@thedancedojo]

There is no physical school but if you're interested in in-person lessons send me an email and let me know your experience and what you're looking for: [e-mail]. Because we typically offer our programs 100% online. -robin

[@Manuel0673]

Wait! Did you just say you're in Medellin, Colombia?

[@thedancedojo]

Yup. been here since january. You here too? -Robin

[@Manuel0673]

@@thedancedojo I am. Is there any dancing happening in these crazy times? (hope the police is not reading this)

[@thedancedojo]

@@Manuel0673 Cool! Definitely no socials but some people are teaching classes

[@Manuel0673]

@@thedancedojo I figured. Hope we can go dancing once this is over.

[@thedancedojo]

@@Manuel0673 It'll all come back in time

[@SondeTimba]

Swet, Are you in Medellin? We are from Envigado!

[@thedancedojo]

I know, I've just never had the pleasure of meeting you guys yet! Would love to. I'm living by aguacatala. In case you want to keep in touch [e-mail] @robncampbell @thedancedojo

[@ricardomorales4502]

I want a tutorial on the timing for the shimmies in 8:15 Edit: and steps.

[@thedancedojo]

In general you can do shimmies at any speed you'd like. To start you don't need to think much about the speed of your shimmies, unless it really matters to you. Just choose "slow" or "fast" in your mind and move your shoulders as you step. As you get more control you can play around with the timing more. -Robin

[@ricardomorales4502]

@@thedancedojo Thanks! I still want to get the timing right so it'll be easier to stay on rythm and not confuse my partner.

[@user-sk7ws4sr4x]

All well but I think you are forgetting two more concepts: 6. Shines should normally be matching the music. Especially those tricks you show at the end - when you kick and look at your toe, or the one with a sharp head turn. These are going to look rather dumb unless there is a corresponding accent or break in the music that you are matching with these. 7. Variations on the basic step when you move to the side (left or right), @4:20 : If you do it in a couple, it is a good idea to remember that you are actually dancing with a partner. Or there is a risk this is the last time you dance with her. The same goes for girls: I danced with a few characters that did stuff like this in the basic. Impossible to lead even a simple turn. Ok, bye bye do your shines somewhere else then come back maybe we dance

[@thedancedojo]

Yea, of course, shines should always be done to the music. Point 7 doesn't apply in this case because shines are solo :)

[@user-sk7ws4sr4x]

@@thedancedojo The one with the slide in the basic is actually quite common when you do basic in couple. Like some other shines, too (e.g. LA flare, kick etc). Thus my comment. Try to lead a lady who does a kick in the basic in every 8-count... 🙂 Guys overstyling in couple, incl. too much footwork, are no better, of course. Actually, probably even worse because the leads become messy and confusing.

[@IrineLikokeli]

This is very useful informations 👍

[@thedancedojo]

Happy it can help! -Robin