We are thrilled to have a chance to talk to Julia Powers, Champion Ballroom Dancer and the other beauty and brains behind Core Rhythms Dancing Exercise Systyem. Thanks Julia for taking the time to talk to us about the second week of Dancing With the Stars!

“First I want to wish Steve-O a speedy recovery. There’s nothing worse than getting ready for a big competition and have an injury prevent you from doing your best. All the wild things he did in Jack Ass and he gets hurt doing the Salsa……..go figure. “

• Which star improved the most from last week?

“Ty Murray definitely showed the biggest improvement. After last week’s bloopers he came out strong and confident and showed us all how to take the judges criticism and turn it into a strong performance. I love to see that kind of a healthy competitive spirit. Way to go Ty!!!”

• The dances on the second episode are the salsa and the quickstep. How are these dances technically different? What muscles or movements are important for each?

“The salsa is an authentic Latin dance based on coordinating body rhythms to a fast and syncopated music. The Salsa is like reading between lines, you don’t just dance the beats you dance the complex rhythms in between the beats. A good Salsa dancer needs to have complete control of his center (core), especially the lats, abdominals and glutes.

Quickstep is a high energy formal ballroom dance that requires strong legs, a stable core and good stamina. But keep in mind clean footwork, a steady frame and sense of humor are necessary to score high in this competition. “

• Who did the best quickstep? Why?

“The best Quickstep was tossup between Lil’ Kim’s bubbly, playful personality and Gilles Marini’s great dance frame and clean foot work. I have to say Lil’s side by side work was incredible and so much fun to watch. However, as a professional ballroom dancer, I have to reward good technique……for this reason I would give it to Gilles in a dance off.”

•    Who did the best salsa? Why?

That was an easy one, Melissa Rycroft. It was a pleasure to see someone with such a naturally rhythmical body. I always appreciate when someone can show the true joy of dance and yet present it with clear timing, great body action and be in tune with their partner. It is truly amazing considering the amount of time she has had to prepare. Great job and I look forward to seeing what she can do next week.

I was also very impressed with Shawn Johnson. Her core is incredibly strong but I feel she needs to learn how to engage it in a fluid rhythmical manner in order to improve her Latin movement and impress the judges.  She could be a force in the coming weeks.

• Your workout routine, Core Rhythms, uses Latin dance drills. What makes these drills so effective for working your core?

“As we know drills are the key to building long, lean, and toned muscles. Core Rhythms disguises these drills in a fun filled, high energy Latin dance workout that gives you all the benefits without the boredom. Just look at any of the professional dancers on DWTS and it’s easy to understand why dancing is so effective.”

“I look forward to a next week’s show. ”

Check out the Core Rhythms Set Giveaway going on through March 23 at Short Pump Preppy!