Welcome to my Zumba blog! Find my class schedule, Yelp reviews, YouTube videos, and Facebook page links at http://www.zumba-sheila.com/ Stay here to share my tips and experiences! Check out my lessons on chest and hip movement, arms, body rolls, shimmies, posture, jive, tango & samba. More lessons are always coming, so become a Follower to stay in tune. After you've practiced a lesson, try incorporating the movement into your Zumba classes. Not sure if you're doing it right? Ask me after class. Don't live near me? Post a video response to my lesson and I'll give you some feedback. Also learn about the Plant Paradox diet and how to guarantee you will burn calories and feel great during and after Zumba.



I was nominated for best Zumba blog- Most Fascinating Blog of 2012 and came in 3rd place! Thanks for your support!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Advanced Chest Movements

If you've already mastered the 3 basic chest movements I described in "How to get more chest movement," then you're in the right place.  Now let's discuss
chest circles, chest V's, U's and chest figure 8's.  The visual and audio are in the video "Advanced Chest Movements." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duqCGqtYh9I

Chest Circles
     Chest circles are a combination of chest slides and chest pops.  You can do a vertical or a horizontal circle. 
     vertical chest circle
          Start by sliding your chest to the right.  Second, do a chest pop from this position, rather than from neutral.  Third, while your chest is still popped up, slide your chest to the left.  Fourth, while your chest is still left, lower it, but don't slouch or round your back.  Finally, slide to the right until you come to neutral, or repeat.  Repeat to the other side.  Start slow and choppy.  Gradually, pick up speed and smooth all your transitions until your chest circle is fluid.
     horizontal chest circle
          Again start by sliding your chest to the right.  Second, overtend your chest pop forward so that you can feel your shoulder blades squeezing behind you.  Third, slide left, Fourth, slouch or round out your back.  Finally, slide right and repeat.

Chest V's or U's
     Chest V's are caused by a chest slide and chest pop happening simultaneously.  However, rather than going straight up or straight to the side, take your chest diagonally up, then diagonally down back to neutral.  Repeat on the other side.
     Chest U's rounder at the bottom, caused by a small amount of chest slide at the bottom of your U.

Chest Figure 8's
     Side figure 8's look like monkey arms or snake arms.  Your chest slides to the right, then side slumps gently downward, then slides diagonally up to the left, then side slumps slightly downward.  Repeat.  Your ribcage leads the movement, and your arms follow.  The order of movement is ribcage, elbow, wrist, fingers
     Backward figure 8's with shoulder rolls are common in Zumba.  They combine chest slide with chest twist. Trying sliding and twisting simultaneosly.  It's much easier if you roll your shoulders backward at the same time.
     There are also horizontal and vertical chest figure 8's, but these are seldom used in Zumba.  They are related to the horizontal and vertical chest circles.  Draw a figure 8 with your chest, rather than a circle.

Body rolls
   Body rolls are a combination of chest and hip/pelvic movement and explained in http://zumba-sheila-blog-learn.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-do-body-roll-and-corkscrew.html

No comments:

Post a Comment