Latin Arms (Manual of Movement) | Youlie Mouzafiarova & David Pullinger

Beautiful Latin dancing is about more than footwork. The way you shape and move your arms can transform your dancing, adding elegance, fluidity, personality and expression to every performance.

Latin Arms: Manual of Movement by Youlie Mouzafiarova and David Pullinger offers a practical, illustrated approach to mastering Latin dance arm technique and styling. Covering all five International Latin dances—Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive—this 92-page guide helps dancers develop more natural, coordinated and expressive arm movements.

Transform Your Latin Arm Styling

Have you ever wondered how experienced dancers make their arm movements look so effortless? This book breaks down the technique behind those movements, helping you understand not just where to place your arms, but how to move them with control and purpose.

Through detailed explanations and photographic demonstrations, you’ll explore hand shaping, the Stretch, arm-lead, elbow-lead and wrist-lead actions, along with Circles, Volutes, Head-stroking and Hand-placing. Practical examples show how these movements can complement familiar Latin figures and enhance the character of each dance.

Build Confidence Through Better Technique

Beyond individual movements, the book introduces a structured learning method that connects arm styling with body action, coordination and musical expression. Its teaching guidance covers progressive practice, leader and follower movements, and effective ways to introduce arm technique to beginners.

Whether you’re a Latin dance teacher looking for clearer ways to explain arm styling, a competitor refining your presentation, or an advanced student seeking greater freedom of movement, Latin Arms: Manual of Movement provides valuable techniques to help make your dancing more polished, expressive and complete.

Book Contents

Part One – Arm Movements

• Hand Shaping and the Stretch
• Starting Position and Common Arm Positions
• Starting the Arm Movement
• Same-Plane Movements
• Low Circles and Other Circles
• Volutes
• Head-Stroking and Hand-Placing
• Other Arm, Hand and Finger Movements

Part Two – Efficient, Effective Teaching

• Developing the Brain-Body Connection
• The Teaching Sequence
• Integration with Body Movements
• Leader and Follower Movements
• Progression for Teaching
• Teaching Beginners
• Glossary