Arms In Focus is an instructional video presented by Richard Porter and Els Gevaert, dedicated to the development of arm styling, hand shaping, rhythm, and upper-body expression in International Latin dancing. Rather than teaching complete routines or syllabus figures, this course concentrates on how arm movement integrates naturally with body action, timing, and musical interpretation across the five Latin dances.
The program is organized into progressive practice groups for Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive, allowing dancers to study arm styling within realistic dance combinations instead of isolated exercises. Each group combines footwork, body action, and coordinated arm movements to demonstrate how styling can enhance balance, expression, and overall presentation while maintaining proper Latin technique.
Instead of encouraging decorative arm movements alone, the instruction emphasizes how the hands and arms respond to body rhythm, hip action, rotation, and partner positioning. These concepts can be incorporated into both social and competitive dancing, making the material valuable for dancers who want to develop more natural styling without sacrificing technical quality.
Suitable for dancers of all levels, this video serves as a practical reference for improving movement coordination, body awareness, and performance quality across all International Latin dances. The course concludes with a demonstration performance by Richard Porter and Els Gevaert, illustrating many of the styling concepts presented throughout the lessons.
Course Contents
Cha Cha Cha
Group 1: Side by Side • Hip Rolls • Challenge Basic Action • Continuous Rhythm Split Cuban Break • Twist • Backward Lock Step • Ball Change • Volta Spot Turn • Pat-a-Cake Action • Checked Turn • Lady: Turn to Checks & Back Flick • End in Open Position
Group 2: Basic Movement (1–5) • Cuban Break Variation • Rondé to Basic Movement • Right Side Position • Hip Rock to Fan Position • Alemana (1–3) • Lady Three Step Turn • Checked Turn • Quick Hip Twist • Underarm Turn
Group 3: Split Cuban Break • New York with Spin • Swivel • Hip Twist to Fan Position • Three Step Turn to Shadow Holds • Three Cha Cha Chas Variation
Samba
Group 1: Side by Side • Man Bota Fogo • Lady Sit Line • Chassés • Volta • Three Step Turn • Cruzados • Ball Change • Kick • Backward Walk Action • Bota Fogo • Corta Jaca • Lunge Line • Hip Circle • Reverse Roll
Group 2: Reverse Roll to Shadow • Forward Run with Knee Lift • Backward Run with Knee Lift • Zig Zag • Bota Fogo • Curling Maypole Variation
Group 3: Whisk Action • Lock Step • Continuous Spin • Promenade Runs • Samba Walk • Three Step Turn • Lunge Line • Body Roll
Group 4: Shadow Bota Fogo Rock • Reverse Turn (1–3) • Backward Rocks • Pivot Ending • Promenade Run • Three Step Turn • Bota Fogos
Rumba
Group 1: Hip Roll • Cuban Rock • Basic with Spin Ending • Walks • Hip Circles • Shadow Walks • Rondé Ending
Group 2: Basic Movement (1–3) • Syncopated Cuban Rock • Curl Action • Lunge • Checked Turn • Développé • Spiral (1–3) • Quick Reverse Top • Opening Out from Reverse Top
Group 3: Slow Curl from Fan Position • Telespins • Supported Line • Sit Position with Hip Circles • Hockey Stick (4–6)
Paso Doble
Group 1: Shadow Press Line • Three Step Turn • Double Appel • Chassé Cape Variations • Same Foot Variation • Shadow Chassé Cape • Caping Walks • Leg Hook to Chassé
Group 2: Twist (1–8) • Man Spin • Lady Three Step Turn • Checked Turn • Chassé • Turning Sur Place
Jive
Group 1: Side by Side • Zig Zag • Kicks • Zig Zag Skip Chassés • Chassé • Shoulder Rolls • Splits
Group 2: Overturned Change of Places • Simple Spin • Fallaway Throwaway • Chicken Walks • Hip Rocks • Chassés
Group 3: Miami Special • Simple Spin • Link • Toll Gate • Fallaway Chassé • Single Rhythm • Change of Places • Toe Heel Swivels
Bonus: Exhibition Performance by Richard Porter & Els Gevaert
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.