Advanced Techniques

Tuesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm

Advnaced-level zouk classes

Instructor Approval Required.

For students who have their fundamentals dialed in and consistent by displaying a strong grasp of proper frame, footwork, and control, these classes focus on introducing more advanced zouk techniques, including tilted turns, head movement, and more clearly leading through the open embrace (hand-to-hand connection).

Level 3 “Advanced Techniques” Prerequisites:

Because of the more advanced techniques covered in these classes will cover, students are expected to have a strong understanding of zouk frame, footwork, and control (all of which we teach in the Level 2 classes!).

View the full list of Level 3 class prerequisites here.

Students must receive approval from one of the AmoZouk instructors before dropping into these classes. Please get approval BEFORE the day of class (we will not have time to do level assessments right before class).

For students visiting from out of town, please shoot us a message (we may ask to see a video of your dancing) so we can pre-approve your class participation in class. Thank you!

Advanced Techniques (Level 3) Curriculum

Our goal for the Level 3 curriculum is introduce more advanced zouk techniques and improve the technicality and flow of your dance.

Because of the more physically demanding nature of the moves/techniques we will be working on in these classes, we will spend more time appropriately warming up our bodies (especially the neck!). And just like the Level 2 classes, a portion of each class will be focused on technique drills (not just “learning a move”) to help students lead/follow more clearly, comfortably, and safely.

Techniques Covered Include:

  • Tilted turns

  • Traveling tilted turns

  • Head movement in place

  • Traveling head movement

  • Passive vs active head movement

  • Tilts and head movement combinations

  • “Hip pendulum” for elasticity

  • Leading isolations from the hands (elastico, hip isolations, chicote, etc.)

  • “Ball of connection”

  • Counterbalances

  • Double turn structure

  • Wi-fi rules

  • Close embrace traveling

  • Musicality continued

  • Lead styling

  • Follower styling

Moves Covered Include:

  • Adding tilts and head movement to moves you already know (lateral, viradinha, yo-yo, bonus, ochos, piao etc)

  • Balão Apagado (“Close balloon”)

  • Reverse lateral

  • Boneca (“Doll”)

  • Sarrada (“Hip thrust”)

  • Bate cabelo (“Hair whip”)

  • Shadow position

  • Raul timing variations

  • Chicote (“Whip”)

  • Cambre

  • Sideways chicote

  • Counterbalances

  • Reverse pião

  • Soltinho to the right

Stay after class to continue practicing your technique!

All Level 3 students are encouraged to after class for the 8:30pm-9:15pm practica (for free!) to continue to practice what they’ve learned. Level 3 students are also encouraged to continue attending Level 2 classes (note: students must pay for both classes, Level 2 is not free for Level 3 cstudents).