thank you for taking time here
i have my exams ( bronze ) in 4 weeks time and my instructor just cant get satisfied with my cbm.
i truly am trying but he keeps telling me to use my hips more.he lets me walk up and down for rhumbha yet says nothing when we cha cha or mambo.
i am willing to practice and exercise anything and any amount of time.can anyone please five me any tips and technique help?they do say,once you have the basic its fine.also the " up and down" movement of the waltz: does that come from the hip or the knee? please help me?!
thank you up front and do keep well and happy dancing.
thanks.

Angua

Your use of the term CBM was confusing at first. CBM is usually taken to mean Contra Body Movement, which you will learn more about as you progress with your ballroom. It's akin to the swinging of opposite arm and leg when marching. As CBM is not generally referred to in Latin dances, my next guess was that you meant Closed Basic Movement, which is the textbook name for what most people just refer to as a "basic" in rumba or chacha.

There is another thread on this board discussing practicing hip action which covers the cuban motion. It's not an easy thing to learn through the written word such as this so I should rely on your teacher's help. It takes time to get hips moving in ways you are not used too.
Don't worry though, the examiner won't expect too much at bronze level. Just relax and try to enjoy the dancing.

Howard

I had my exam two weeks ago for bronze

The "up and down" movement of the waltz comes from your knees. As you may know there are three counts in the English Waltz:

2nd count: slowly go up;
3rd count: this is where you end up dancing on your "tippy toes"
1st count: "fall down" by bending your knees slightly
2nd count: slowly go up.........etc

I would give you advice on your CBM but unfortunately I'm not familair with that acronym...

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - Horace

Angua,
Read my posts about cuban motion in response to John Shue's question... that should answer your questions... as for learning in 5 weeks, you should be able to improve enough in time for the test....
GOOD LUCK!

CBM is generally used in your smooth dances, I'm not quite sure how it could be used in your rhythm dancing. But, CBM is when you tork your body in two directions. If you are starting foward with the left foot, the right shoulder should come foward. imagine your body is two seperate halves, practice getting your opposite shoulder foward as you walk slowly foward. it's like giving your stomach an indian burn.

As for rise and fall in your waltz, ONE is down and moving out. TWO is stepping to the side on the ball of the foot. Two and a half push away causing an upward movement and, THREE close feet together both on the ball of the foot. As you go back to one be sure to start the foward or backward movement before you fall. it will complete the arc.

sorry and thank you so long
i picked that acronym up somewhere.
cuban motion