Bachata
Windmill
Also known as: Windmill turn, molinillo
A continuous store-and-release turn where the joined arms wind and unwind like sails, driving repeating rotations without breaking the connection.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
A turning figure in which both joined hands cycle in a continuous winding motion — the 'sails' — so the follow can be led through repeating rotations from a single sustained lead. The looping arms store and release energy to keep the turn going.
Key Points
- Lead: Keep the windmill even, level and unbroken; each cycle should flow into the next without a stop.
- Follow: Turn steadily inside the mill and keep your frame round, spotting honestly each rotation.
- Timing: Continuous over 8 counts or more.
- Common mistake: Letting the circle drop or shrink mid-turn, which drags the follow off her axis.
Style Notes
A satisfying continuous turn for a driving musical passage. Keep the mill big and level and resolve out into open position or a spiral.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Advanced
- Type
- Frame
- Style
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…
Learn these first
One way to flow
Go deeper with your coach
Own Windmill, then make it yours
This page is free, always. Your online coach goes further on every move you own — styling that makes it look like you, variations to keep it fresh, and how to hit it on the music.
- Styling
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