Ok so whether you are new to the salsa scene or have been dancing for years this is one very important tip that all of the salsa dancers in the world should know and should put into immediate, consistent practice.

What is this amazing tip you may be thinking.......Drummm rolll please>>>

It is BALANCE, through strengthening your abdominal muscles. Yes that is right, you need a strong core for doing multiple turns. You need a strong core for dancing numerous songs. Hell, you need a strong core for a having a few drinks and then dancing a few songs and pulling off the look that you are sober. (if that is your thing)

But it is not just doing crunches that is going to give you that strength that we are talking about here. No, it is a little more complicated than that. The key is having the body awareness and understanding of how to consistently tighten your abdominal while you are dancing. I think of it as pulling my bellybutton twards my spine. I can't tell you how much this has improved my spinning among other things.

Pilates is a great way to activate the deep muscles of the abdomen. So if you really want to improve your dancing, i would give it a shot. Good Luck an Happy Dancing!!

I have even made it a bit easier to get started and given you a great excercise to try out.

THE PILATES ROLL UP

The Pilates roll-up is 30 percent more effective than the standard crunch when it comes to targeting the rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscle), say researchers at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. Because the move challenges your abs through a fuller range of motion, it recruits more muscle fibers.

* Lie back with legs straight and arms extended above head next to ears.

* Bring arms forward, tilt chin twards chest, exhale to tighten your abdominals and slowly curl upper body up, reaching hands to toes.

* Slowly roll down with abdominals engaged, pressing each vertebae into the ground on your way back down.

* Repeat 8 to 10 times three times a week.