| My name is Juan Ruiz. I learnt Bachata in the USA, | | | | his workshop, I observed the way he danced. He did |
| many years ago, almost a decade ago. The Bachata I | | | | the Bachata traditional step, but then he started |
| learnt was influenced by the Dominicans, Puertoricans, | | | | adding crosses on different counts of the Bachata |
| Mexicans and other Latinos living in Chicago, USA. As | | | | beat, I knew then that there was more to Bachata |
| it probably happened to you as well, I felt in love | | | | traditional! |
| with the music and I felt in love with the dance right | | | | It is then that I started working on the Bachata |
| away. | | | | Moderna style with my dance partner back in |
| Listening to Aventura’s song | | | | Sydney, Australia. We didn’t focus on styling, we |
| “Obsession” or Monchy y Alexandra’s | | | | focused on learning the new fundamentals - For a |
| “Dos locos” in the nightclub made me want | | | | new style to become a style, it has to have a set of |
| to grab the first available lady and start dancing close | | | | fundamentals that can be used on any turn pattern |
| Bachata with her. I learnt the close Bachata | | | | or combination and should be lead-able. |
| movements, I learnt the dips, I learnt the turn | | | | Just by adding the Bachata Moderna fundamentals on |
| combinations, I really thought that I learnt everything | | | | my Bachata traditional have made so much |
| that there was to Bachata (Now I know I learnt | | | | difference. Now that I know Bachata Moderna, and I |
| what is known as Bachata Traditional). | | | | know how to incorporate the Cross on1, Cross on2, |
| But then it happened that all Bachata dances started | | | | Cross on3, Cross Over, the about turn, and other |
| to look the same, all the Bachata dances started to | | | | fundamentals, I can enjoy my Bachata dance once |
| feel the same. Lucky me, I wasn’t alone on this, | | | | again. Bachata is no longer a side to side step with |
| other people were experiencing the same dilemmas: | | | | the same type of turn patterns; now I can lead my |
| - Bachata is very simple, I don’t need to take | | | | partner on different directions, I can surprised her |
| classes anymore (or start taking classes) | | | | with turns, and I can do new things during the song, |
| - I know my Bachata step, therefore I don’t | | | | I can move freely on the dance floor. |
| need to learn new things | | | | As people say “change is the only constant in |
| - Is there anything else to Bachata? | | | | the universe”, Bachata dancing is changing, |
| I watched the salsa dancers get crazy on the dance | | | | it’s evolving, and I invite you to try new styles |
| floor with new combinations, new set of shines, body | | | | of Bachata, new variations. I thank all the instructors |
| movements, and I always wondered, why can’t | | | | that are pushing the boundaries of Bachata (Inaki, |
| I do this with my Bachata? It is then, than on my | | | | Jorge Elizondo, Tony Lara, Rodney Aquino, Carlos |
| quest to improve my Bachata skills, I came across | | | | Cinta, to name a few). Thanks to them, Bachata has |
| dancers/instructors that experienced the same thing | | | | become a world-known dance style. Now we can |
| that I did, and that have started pushing the | | | | enjoy Bachata Tango, Bachata Urbana and other |
| boundaries of Bachata. | | | | variations, as well as the well known Bachata |
| So I ventured on my journey to improve my | | | | Traditional and Bachata Dominican style. |
| Bachata skills. On my trip to the Malaysia Salsa | | | | Now, I hope to see you dancing more Bachata in the |
| Festival 2008, I met Inaki Fernandez, a Bachata/salsa | | | | clubs! |
| instructor from Spain. Even though I didn’t take | | | | |