The Latin dancer structures the figure through the feet, knees and legs and allows the hips to roll, thus producing the rhythmical interpretation of the music.
Smooth dancers follow a "line of dance" (LOD) around the floor but Latin dancers remain in their own small circle.
Playful, sexy and flirtatious, the Latin dances bring an excitement to ballroom competition.
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| My partner and I are beginning to dance the Paso Doble. I think this was my last competition, as I was in my 60's. I won the Senior Ladies Division and it was a good time to hang up the dancing shoes. |
Enjoying your blog.
ReplyDeleteCame by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter
http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com/
MaryAnn
DeleteThanks for dropping in. So nice to meet you. I'm visiting your blog.
Oooh...What a beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteturquoismoon
DeleteNo, I was already in my 60's. Notice the thickening waist. (sickening waist)
Did you keep all the dresses tho? Do you have loads of them? ...I would just wear them for going to the supermarket..
ReplyDeletePoke the Rock
DeleteI started going to the supermarket wearing some rhinestone jackets but the looks I got from shoppers were too weird. Haha I did save the dresses for a long time but finally just tossed them as they take up a lot of room.
I love watching Latin Dancing. It is very sexy!! Oh my goodness Manzi.. You are quite the looker!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, hopefully it will be warm.
Terry
DeleteLatin is soooo much fun to do, too. I was old already on that picture. I should have quit sooner but I was really enjoying the dancing and having a good time.
Love to you and enjoy the week end.
They sure now how to sex it up
ReplyDeleteOr have too much coffee in their cup lol
And going out with a win
That is the way to be at your bin
HaHaHa
DeleteAll that glitter and rhinestone
Looks sexier than a pine cone
As the old vaudeville joke said
Always quit when you're ahead
Hot Mama!! That's fabulous that you have pics like this. I was always horrible at dancing, I can never keep the beat. Neat blog.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from a-z
Lisa
DeleteThanks for stopping and leaving a nice comment.
Happy L-Day and Happy week end.
Latin music is almost impossible not to dance to. The dancers really allow the music to flow through their entire body.
ReplyDeleteKeith
DeleteRight. I always tell my students to put the music inside of them, close their eyes and let it come out in the form of movement. You'd be surprised how it works.
Congrats on winning. I love watching Latin dancers.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a young one to do a Flat Stanley adventure with?
Sandy
DeleteThank you. No, the youngest grandchild I have is 33 and no signs of any more babies in our family. I guess we reached the end of the line.
I've been enjoying your trip through danceland. Thanks for taking us along. One thing I know is that I am extremely unlikely to get into a dance competition. But it looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Bear
DeleteThanks for following my dancing theme. It's not always of the most interest as it's rather technical. But you're a good sport for reading it.
Have a bear nap on your Sunday off.
I so agree with the Bear above. For some weird reason, my hips just don't move. All that Swedish blood, I guess.
ReplyDeleteInger
DeleteNo race can move their hips like the Latins. I've always wanted to go to Cuba because of the dance but no one could go there until recently.
Ooh-la-la, Manzi! I love your look. I like the Latin beat but I have trouble following and doing the steps. So I just throw caution to the wind, listen to the music, and just go with it. Lots of fun. The Husband isn't hesitant any more about going out on the dance floor and free forming to it, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's good just to put the music inside of you and let it out with movement. So glad you and the husband still dance at home too.
DeleteYou look pretty darn good hot for a lady in her 60s. I noticed in the comments that you were razzing on your thickening middle. It isn't that thickening. We all go through periods when we are up and down. That middle isn't so thick that you couldn't get rid of it! You are one of the healthiest people I know!
ReplyDeleteNow, back to the Latin... I have said it before, but I will say it again... I sure wish you had a way to show up actual footage of you dancing. I would love to see YOUR Paso!!!
Robin
DeleteYou forgot. This photo was when I quit dancing and began teaching. That was when I was in my 60's .... now I'm 83, so it was probably just 20 years ago.
Everything goes south gradually and you can exercise all you want but depending on the skin, it just sags..Of course, I'd rather look 20 again, who wouldn't? But when one hits 83 there are so many other things that can go wrong with the body, that one is just happy to breath and enjoy life as it is. I meant it was time to stop competing because I hate to say it, but appearance scores high. Anyway, I still teach a little cause if I know the material, no one cares what I look like. Ha
As I said, the tapes were all in VHS and I tossed them finally, this last move. Then I'd be like Gloria Swanson in that old movie, sitting around watching my old videos. Can't think of the name of the film...guy was William Holden. I know you know. I think the name is an address and it's right on the tip of my tongue.
Here's a tid-bit I recall about that Paso. The comp was in one of the Carolinas and a reporter came to take pictures and it was ours that he put on the front page. I remember that because most of the other gals were jealous and would barely talk to me. Yee Haw ... Women .... Go Figure
Looking good for such a young chick--says this 78 year old!!
ReplyDeleteI guess, by comparison to now, I was still a young chick. Isn't it funny, at the time you think you're so old and now it looks pretty good to me. Hahaha You are still a young chick to me.... 5 years.
DeleteLooking good for such a young chick--says this 78 year old!!
ReplyDeleteLook at those legs! I can remember my uncle (Puerto Rican) telling me it was all in the hips and to not move my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteBish
DeleteHe was right about all the Latin dances. This is Paso Doble and it is an off-shoot of Flamenco, which is walking in an very arrogant way. But, in comps, it is grouped in the Latin division. So if you're doing all 4 in the Latin group, you just stay on the floor for Rumba, Cha-cha, Samba and Paso Doble.
I was confused when I saw that this post was about Latin dancing.
ReplyDeleteThose people aren't wearing togas.
Al
DeleteI never ran into any orgies either. Ha
A couple of our neighbors taught me some Latin dances years ago. It was a lot of fun, but I wasn't very good at it. You, Manzie, are some chick!!
ReplyDeleteJJ
DeleteMost American men are too self-conscious to move their hips. I've always wanted to go to Cuba for the dancing. OMG... to watch those men dance. While they are sneaking over to the US, I'll try swimming over there with my dancing shoes in my mouth. Ha
Hey Manzanita,
ReplyDeletePenny has kindly allowed me to take back over the computer. And look at you in that photo! :) Speaking of "Latin", this confuses me. You know I've been to Belize in "Latin America" and not one person was speaking in Latin.
Get them dancing shoes back off the hanger, my dear friend.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Gary :)
Gary
DeletePenny prob. had to take a day of rest. That computer is hard work with paws. I guess they only speak it in church. HaHa And on Sundays.
So great to hear from you after Penny let you have that nice vacation.
You too, enjoy the Sunday...ooops that's Latin day.
Manzi
Oh what fun to see you in competition!!! That's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteKay
DeleteThanks and thank you for the visit.
Gorgeous! I would love to learn ballroom dancing if all kinds.
ReplyDeleteCome check out my A to Z! Jen Hemming and Hawing Again
Jen
DeleteI waved my "instant wand" and you now know ballroom dance. Don't you wish it were that easy? :)
Hi Manzanita .. well done on winning that last competition .. you show us your obvious talents .. I shall enjoy reading these again ... so I'm more aware of the moves and dances.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to one talented lady - who still enjoys her passions ... cheers Hilary
Hilary
DeleteWhat's the old saying.... quit show biz while youre on top. I do still teach a little but mostly Flamenco as I don't have room to do the ballroom. Latin, Yes.
I'd probably have a better chance speaking it then ever dancing to it.
ReplyDeleteJohn
DeleteI think that would work too. Would be refreshing rather than watching some bad dancers. :)
I love Latin when I'm watching Latin but then I love ballroom when I'm watching that. They each have their good points but if I truly were to imagine myself on that dance floor it would have to be in a full and flowing ball gown for a waltz. My body would just look awful in those flimsy Latin numbers!
ReplyDeleteI understand your dilemma. I would never wear a skimpy Latin dress.....not ever again now. Oh my god, even the thought sends me to hide in the closet. I feel the same between Flamenco and ballroom. But now I teach more Flamenco, which seems to lend itself better to the "more mature ladies." No, really, it does.
DeleteA champion dancer, I love this, and the picture too. :) Perfect for the letter 'L' and a fun fact to know about you too!
ReplyDeleteRosey
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It's a pleasure to meet you since we see each other on Pat's every day. Ha
Hi there! How lovely for us to see that photo of you looking wonderful in your dance costume ! Dance has obviously been such an important part of your life, and I guess that us why you are so healthy and fit now .
ReplyDelete