The Life-Changing Benefits of Salsa Dancing
December 18, 2008 by admin
Filed under Salsa Articles
Your first adventure to a salsa club may be a surprise. Familiar faces seem to be the theme of the evening. Is that your accountant, your dry cleaner, your next door neighbor? It could very well be as salsa has become a universal past time without the barriers of age, race, gender, and size. With the abundant benefits to salsa dancing, it is not surprising to find out that millions of people around the world have come to enjoy this exciting and passionate hobby.
If you are unsure about whether or not salsa lessons are for you, here are some benefits to attending salsa classes and social dancing:
Physical Health Benefits
Salsa is a wonderful form of cardiovascular exercise. It has been estimated that a half hour of salsa dancing will burn as much as 200-400 calories, an equivalent amount to such exercises as cycling, swimming or power walking. Salsa will increase your heart rate, help you burn more calories, tone your muscles, and may even help you lose weight. Because of the unique movements of salsa, you will be strengthening your body and toning areas such as abs, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, and arms. Salsa classes and social dancing will make you sweat and you will enjoy every minute of it. Salsa also promotes other healthy habits. Salsa dancers tend to drink and smoke less. Salsa dancers eat healthier food and keep their weight at a healthy level.
Mental Health Benefits
Salsa dancing is an amazing way to relieve stress. When you begin your salsa lessons, the world and all the issues you face daily will fade away and allow for complete fun and relaxation. Once you have invested some time in learning to dance through salsa lessons and practice sessions, your self confidence will increase on and off the dance floor. Dancers have a great sense of self awareness and confidence and are in tune with their own bodies. They are more comfortable interacting with others in social situations. Also, students taking salsa lessons get to rotate and meet many new people and learn to feel good about themselves in a learning environment, which can be difficult to accomplish. A sense of camaraderie and a feeling of belonging to a team are created in salsa classes and this can also assist with inner confidence and self-awareness.
Social Benefits
Let’s admit it – most of us can use a boost in the social life department. Whether that means creating a new friendship, a new social group or building a new relationship, salsa lessons and salsa dancing will create an arena for social networking. Salsa classes will introduce you to up to 40 new faces every semester. Add that to the hundreds of students that are found practicing their moves at bi-weekly outings and the thousands of Toronto salsa addicts that can be found dancing the night away at local Toronto salsa clubs, and a new social world is created. Salsa gives people an excuse to interact. From the beginning of a conversation a common ground has been established so conversation is easier. Once you dance with someone a bond has already begun to form. You can laugh at your mistakes, enjoy the feel of the music and rhythm together and very soon communication is easy and free-flowing. You do not need a partner to attend salsa lessons, take salsa club classes or social dance at an outing or club. It is very common for people to go to salsa classes or clubs on their own because it forces them to be social and meet new people.
In addition to wonderful and lasting friendships, salsa is an amazing and natural avenue for single people to meet other single people and potentially create a romance. Salsa dancing is very romantic and sensual so it is a great venue to find a compatible romantic partner. Students that attend salsa lessons tend to get together in small groups and go salsa dancing so not only are you meeting the students from your class but also their network of friends, family and acquaintances. Forget the uncomfortable internet dating scene, speed dating or singles events: try a salsa class! We have classes specifically for singles looking to meet new friends and spice up their social lives. Every salsa lesson will have a rotation so everyone who wants to rotate will get a chance to change partners every few minutes and get to know a variety of salsa students.
Creativity Benefits & the Fun Factor
Salsa dancing is an extremely personal, creative and inspiring passion. For anyone looking for an expressive, creative outlet, salsa will satisfy your need for self expression. Turn patterns, body movement, styling and the way one interprets the rhythm of the music is reflective of one’s self and is always a unique experience.
Most importantly, salsa is fun. Not the nice-dinner-and-movie type fun. Salsa can be the head-rush, heart-can’t-slow-down, euphoric excitement type of fun. With the fast paced, high energy, hot Latin rhythms it is no wonder there are so many salsa addicts worldwide!
So let’s review.
• Salsa lessons are a great form of cardiovascular exercise
• Salsa lessons increase heart rate, burn calories and promote weight loss
• Salsa lessons tone muscles, improve flexibility, coordination, endurance and overall strength
• Salsa lessons promote good posture, grace and style
• Salsa lessons are great stress relievers
• Salsa lessons sharpen reflexes and mental agility
• Salsa lessons keep you young and youthful looking
• Salsa lessons increase self confidence, self awareness and sense of sensuality
• Salsa classes are a great way to meet new friends
• Salsa classes are a great way spark a romance
• Salsa classes are a great way for creative self expression
• Salsa classes are a great way to increase a sense of belonging
• Salsa classes are high energy, exciting and fun
Anyone who has fallen in love with salsa dancing will tell you it is a life-changing experience. It changes the way you view the world, the people around you, and even yourself. So put aside your schedule concerns and your personal reservations and try something that will give you more back then you ever expected!
Choosing a Salsa Instructor
November 7, 2008 by admin
Filed under Salsa Articles, beginners guide
| 4) How to Pick an Instructor | |
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As you start dancing one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing your dance instructor. The better the instructor, the quicker you will learn and the more enjoyment you will get out of your dancing. With a bad instructor you may not be happy with your progress and decide to give up. It is not easy for a beginner dancer to evaluate and choose a dance school as there is a fair amount of criteria to consider. This section of the guide will assist you in choosing the right instructor for you. Please understand that different students react differently to different teachers. One instructor, who your friends may like, may not be the best for you and vice-versa. Once you have decided you would like to take classes, we highly recommend you visit as many instructors as possible, and watch or join at least one class to see if you’re comfortable with the instructor and the learning environment.  |
| Â | 4.1) How do I find a salsa instructor? | |
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Finding a dance instructor in your city is not always easy. Today most major cities will have a number of salsa instructors to choose from. If you are in a smaller city you may have more difficulty. Here are a few methods for locating salsa dance instructors: Internet: Many cities have a web page dedicated to listing salsa instructors for that region. On the search engine, type “salsa” and “city name” for your city. This will give you a large and varied list of instructors but it’s still up to you to evaluate them. Click here for a list of salsa city links. Word of Mouth: Asking dancers in the clubs about salsa schools. This is a good method because you’ll get someone’s opinion in addition to the Phone Book: Call up dance schools from the phone book (salsa or ballroom) and ask if they teach salsa classes. This is probably the most time consuming, but you will be able to ask what styles they teach and what their specialty is. In case there are no salsa instructors in your city, we would recommend finding a willing partner, and ordering instructional videotapes to learn from. The alternative is to travel to nearby cities for instruction. This may not be feasible depending on how far away you are, as it can get expensive and time consuming.  |
| Â | 4.2) Is the more expensive instructor better? | |
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Price does not determine the quality of an instructor. Although some instructors who gain a good reputation may match their demand with an equivalent price, the more expensive instructor is not necessarily better. Also class length can range from 45 minutes to 2 hours, so pay attention when you look at the price. Â |
| Â | 4.3) Instructor to Student Ratio | |
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The more individual and personalized attention you get, the better. The amount of attention you receive in a group lesson can vary greatly. The 1:1 ratio of a private lesson is ideal but a small class can be just as effective and a lot cheaper. Some classes are small with a limit on the number of students able to enroll. Others have as many as 50 students. Just keep in mind that the smaller the class, the easier it is for instructor to give more individual attention. Some classes have multiple instructors and/or volunteers. This improves the ratio in your favour considerably. These classes may be more expensive, but if you value personal attention the cost will be worth it. Â |
| Â | 4.4) Male or Female instructor? | |
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Whether you prefer a male or female teacher is really up to you. A female instructor may have more insight for females, and a male instructor may have better insight for guys, but this is not always the case. A good instructor should understand both roles, and be able to teach both guys and girls equally well. For specific things like styling, you may want to choose an instructor of the same sex; but for everything else, it shouldn’t matter (especially at the beginner level).  |
| Â | 4.5) Is the best dancer also the best teacher? | |
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There are some great dancers who are also great teachers, but this is not always the case. An instructor’s skill set is very different from that of a dancer’s. Teaching requires a fundamental technical understanding of dancing and human movement. This is gained though experience and training. However even if a teacher has the required training and experience, they still require the ability to verbally and visually communicate with the students at a level they’ll understand and learn. These traits are not always present in a great dancer, so don’t assume the best dancer will be the best instructor. The only way to tell is to take or watch a class and ask their students for their opinion. |
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| Â | 4.7) Location and Venue | |
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The instructor you choose should hold classes in a venue that is relatively convenient for you the student. In addition, select a class time that will give you some leeway in case of traffic or other delays. Make sure you are able to attend on a regular basis. If you can’t commit to a fixed weekly schedule; then try doing a workshop which only requires a few hours on a specific date. If not, then buy an instructional video, which allows you to watch and learn at your own pace.
Another key factor when discussing venue is what type of room the classes are conducted in. Classes can be held in a variety of locations – dance studios, dance clubs, gymnasiums, basements or homes. The ideal location will have good ventilation and lighting, hardwood floors, full-length mirrors, and lots of space. It is possible for a great instructor to teach at a bad location, however it is important for you to be comfortable with your learning environment.
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| Â | 4.8) Class Atmosphere | |
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It is very important to be comfortable with the instructor and the students around you. A social and fun atmosphere will enhance your learning experience. Some instructors may not always have control over their class; others may seem to teach with some form of military training. A fun learning environment usually means a better learning environment. Also, make sure there is a relatively even number of guys to girls or ensure that the instructor regularly rotates the students to ensure everyone gets a turn at trying a new move. Keep in mind it is rare to have the exact same number of guys and girls. However if there are 20 girls registered and only 5 guys, many girls will not get a partner for the entire class, even with the instructor rotating partners. You may want to find a session with more even numbers so you will get more time to learn the step with an actual partner. Â |
| Â | 4.9) Ask Around! | |
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When deciding which instructor to select, a good approach is to ask some of the veteran dancers in the clubs which instructor they recommend. Note, many dancers are biased to the instructors that taught them, so also ask why they recommend this particular instructor. Try to get as many opinions as possible and this will help you to get a good sense of which instructors are the best or most popular in your city. Â |
| Â | 4.10) Changing schools | |
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We recommend you try many different instructors. However if you decide to change schools, there are a few things to keep in mind. Instructors all have different ways of measuring class levels. Some may rank students as “beginners”, “intermediate” or “advanced”. Other schools may use levels “level 1″, “level 2″, etc. In addition, “advanced” students from one school may not be at the same level as “advanced” students from another school. One instructor’s syllabus and rating system is usually quite different from another. This variation will not make a difference to you unless you switch schools. Most instructors will want to evaluate your skill level before you join so that you will be placed in the right level. You may want to choose instructors that you know will also offer advanced lessons in the future when you progress.
It is natural to feel loyal to your first salsa instructor, but try to avoid feeling like you’re “cheating” on your current instructor if you decide to take classes with someone else. It’s okay, and in fact very beneficial to your dancing to a get as much varied input as possible. You also don’t have to leave your existing school. If you’re happy with it you may just want to supplement their classes with a class or workshop from another instructor every now and then.
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| Â | 4.11) Skills of a dance instructor | |
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A dance instructor must have excellent understanding of the material he/she is teaching. In the case of Salsa, this includes being able to teach both the men’s and woman’s steps. In addition to the steps, additional details such as the timing of leading and following or weight transfer should be well understood by the instructor. An experienced instructor will be able to warn you about common problems students have with each step and how to prevent them.
Assuming the instructor knows all this, he/she is required to be able to successfully communicate this information to the student. This is probably the most important skill of a good instructor. Just watching the instructor perform a specific step over and over is not enough for the average student. The instructor should be able to break down the step, and verbally explain each segment of the pattern. They should be able to pinpoint the problems the students are encountering and help them through it using explanations, examples and demonstration. A good instructor should be approachable and open to answering your questions.
Lastly, just like a coach, an instructor should be able to encourage the students and be understanding. A caring and fun class atmosphere will greatly enhance the learning experience and will most likely bring the student back. Note: There are different types of classes, and different levels. Higher level classes are purposely not broken down as much as beginner classes. So make sure you’re in the right class by doing a placement evaluation with the instructor   |
| Â | 4.12) Evaluating an Instructor’s Skill | |
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As a beginner student it is very hard to evaluate how good an instructor is
at teaching. Remember we’re evaluating their teaching skills, not dancing skills. You can learn a lot about the instructor through observation even if you are new to dancing: (1) How well does the instructor break down the steps? Is it too fast for you? Too slow?
(2) At the end of the classes, did most of the students learn what the instructor tried to teach? Did you? If most of the students have a look of confusion at the end of the class, the instructor most likely did not adapt to the class level, or did not break down the steps well enough. (3) Did the instructor cover both the leaders and followers parts thoroughly? Were student questions answered well? Did the instructor even ask for questions and/or feedback? (4) A great way to judge an instructor is by his/her students. Can the instructor’s advanced students dance well? Can they dance with students not from the same dance school? In addition to these observations, any professional instructor would be glad to answer questions you may have. The following is a list of sample questions you should ask your potential instructor. (1) Their dance/salsa experience. We highly recommend that you try a few different instructors. You will notice different teaching styles. One is not necessarily better than another, but you may have a favorite from which you learn the most. The most important questions to ask yourself after the class are; Were you happy with the lesson? Did you learn something new? Did you enjoy the lesson? If the answers are yes, then you’ve succeeded in finding a good instructor for you.  |
Eight different salsa styles?
September 30, 2008 by admin
Filed under Salsa Articles
There are many characteristics that identify salsa styles. There may be different step patterns, different timing of steps, particular movement on the dance floor (eg:slot, circular), dancer preference of turns and moves, attitude and others. The presence of one or more of particular elements does not necessarily define a particular style. For example, many salsa styles can be danced “On One” or one style may be danced “On One” or “On Two”. The following are brief descriptions of major “recognizable” salsa styles.
Cuban Style
The original of the Salsa styles, as considered by most, which has been developing in Cuba since the 1950′s. Cuban-style salsa can be danced either “on one” or “a contratiempo” —the latter is often referred to as “on two”. An essential element is the “cuba step” (also known as Guapea), where the leader does a backward basic on 1-2-3 and a forward basic on 5-6-7. The follower does the same, thereby mirroring the leader’s movement. Another characteristic of this style is that in many patterns the leader and follower circle around each other.
The cross body lead is an essential step in this style too and is referred to as Dile que no. This move becomes essential in the more complex derivative of Cuban Casino leading to the many moves of Rueda, or wheel dance. Here multiple couples exchange partners and carry out moves syncronised by a caller.
Columbian Style
This style is common in Latin-American countries. The leader and follower do most of the movements while standing in place. It stems from the Cuban style. As such in many patterns the leader and follower turn around each other, although not as much as in the cuban style; in fact, in several parts of Colombia, salsa is danced with very limited or no turns at all.
Los Angeles Style
Developed in recent years (some say between 1999 and 2002), this is one of the salsa styles much effected by Hollywood and by the swing & mambo dances, thus being the most flashy style, which is considered “more show than dance” by many. The two essential elements of this dance are the forward/backward basic as described above, and the cross-body lead. In this pattern, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2-3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left). The follower then steps forward on 5-6, and turns on 7-8, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise. After these 8 counts, the leader and follower have exchanged their positions. The Vazquez brothers are widely credited with developing the LA style of salsa. Luis taught in LA until 2005 when he and his dance Partner Melissa Fernandez moved to Lugano, Switzerland. Here is a link to his bio: http://www.massalsabrava.com/bio.php His Brother Johnny moved to Valencia, Spain in 2002, together with his dance group Imperio Azteca. http://www.johnnyvazquez.com Both brothers decided to move to Europe because of business aspects. Nowadays, the market to sell their style of salsa in Europe is much bigger than in America. Almost every other weekend of the year there is a Salsa Congress somewhere in Europe.
New York style or Eddie Torres style
The “NY Style” is a combination of the “On 1″ and “On 2″ systems. The timing of the steps are on the 1-2-3,5-6-7 as in “On 1″ but the breaks (where the body changes direction) occur on the 2 and 6 as in “On 2″. NY instructor Eddie Torres developed this step pattern around the late 70′s and the 80′s and its definition is quite clear since he is still alive and his followers are keen to keep the style intact. This is their description of the step: Description of “On Two” on salsanewyork.com There are many “socials” in NYC or nightclubs that dedicate on playing only mambo or salsa.
Power 2 / Palladium 2 / Ballroom Mambo
This style is similar to Los-Angeles style, but it is danced “On Two”. The basic step timing is 2-3-4,6-7-8 with the breaks on 2 and 6.
It is important to note that although this style is also known as dancing “En Clave”, the name is not implying that the step timing should follow the rhythm of the Clave as in 2-3 or 3-2. It only means that you take the first step (and break) on the second beat of the measure.
On Clave
This does indeed follow the 2-3 or 3-2 pattern of the clave, e.g. for the 2-3 clave the leader steps forward with the left on 2 and with the right on 3, then does the other 4 steps of the basic on 5-8 (syncronizing with the clave on 5 and 8). It’s a traditional form and it’s less known/used outside some latin countries.
Puerto Rican style
This style can be danced as “On One” or “On Two”. If danced as “On Two”, it is always danced on count 2, and not on count 6 as in Ladies-style NY. There is a Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico where salsa groups all around the world attend and perform.
Rueda Style
Main article: Rueda de Casino. In the 1950s Salsa Rueda (Rueda de Casino) was developed in Havana, Cuba. Pairs of dancers form a circle (Rueda in Spanish), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners.This is one of my favorite salsa styles. To me, its the salsa version of square dancing.
Your First Salsa Lesson
September 30, 2008 by admin
Filed under Salsa Articles
If you’ve never taken dance lessons before, it can be scary going to that first salsa dancing lesson. Perhaps you’re nervous about your (lack of?) coordination or rhythm. Worried about coming without a partner. Don’t know what to wear or what shoes will be appropriate.
Don’t worry…
Everyone feels that way. Relax and Just Do It! You will be glad you did.
Salsa dancing is a skill that anyone can learn. While a few people might pick it up quickly and easily, relax and know that for most people, it will take lots of practice to become good. But, the practicing is VERY FUN, so no problem! You won’t be expected to learn everything immediately, no worries. Take your time, enjoy each little achievement along the way, and ask lots of questions of the instructor(s) – they are there to help. The more you relax, the quicker you will learn, and the more fun you will have.
No partner? No problem!
In fact, you will become a better dancer if you dance and practice with lots of various partners. Couples that learn together and largely only dance with each other begin to compensate for each other’s weaknesses, and because of this, each never really knows what pieces that they *don’t* yet have down. So, when the occasion comes around that you do go to dance with someone else, someone who doesn’t know to automatically compensate for your missing pieces, they won’t be able to dance with you very well, nor you them. Leaders won’t know where they are weak in leading, and follows won’t know what moves they have trouble following. While having a dance partner can help get you more practice hours in, if you do, be sure to go out and dance with lots of other people, as often as you can. If you don’t have one, don’t worry – I became a very good dancer without ever having a dedicated partner, and I’m a better dancer for it.
Wear comfortable clothing to class, clothing that allows you to move freely, and ideally without extra fabric that will get in the way – avoid tops with long frilly sleeves that can get in the way, or delicate lacy sweaters that might get snagged on a watch or a ring. In fact, avoid as much jewelry as possible on your hands and wrists – your partners will thank you for it.
Eventually, you will want to get yourself some real dance shoes with leather soles, ideally suede. In the meantime, if you have shoes with leather soles and they are comfortable, wear them. If possible, avoid sneakers and other shoes with rubber or non-skid soles – you want to be able to pivot and spin easily. Ok, in your first class you probably won’t do a whole lot of spinning <grin> but pivoting is always important.
Ok, off you go! Find yourself a class and get started. And dont forget to  practice in between classes.
8 Simple Dance Etiquette
June 10, 2008 by admin
Filed under Salsa Articles
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Dance Etiquette  If you follow these 8 simple guidelines of dance etiquette we can ensure you |
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1.) Asking for a dance |
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Gentlemen When asking a lady to dance, it is best to stick to traditional phrases:
Avoid repeatedly asking the same partner to dance with you, unless she requests it. You are strongly encouraged to ask many different partners to dance, including beginners. This not only improves the social dynamics of a dance, it also helps you become a better leader. Keep in mind that good dancers can make any partner look good. |
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Ladies Feel equally comfortable asking a gentleman for a dance, even in a formal setting. You are strongly encouraged to dance with many different partners, as this will make you a better follower. Keep in mind that a good dancer can make any partner look good. Â Â |
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Gentlemen Don’t get discouraged if you get declined once in a while. Keep in mind that everyone needs a break from time to time. If you do get declined, be gracious about it and smile!  |
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Ladies Only avoid declining a dance under these specific circumstances:
If you decline a dance this means sitting out the entire song. It is inconsiderate to dance a song with anyone after you have declined to dance it with someone else. |
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Gentlemen It is your responsibility to escort your partner to a place on the dance floor where you are not blocking couples who are already dancing. |
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Ladies Allow your partner to lead you out to the dance floor. |
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Gentlemen It’s your responsibility to take care of your partner and make sure she doesn’t bump into other couples. If you are on a crowded floor, remember to take small steps. |
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Ladies Minimize your styling on crowded floors and remember to take small steps. |
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5.) Demeanor |
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Gentlemen Be personable, smile, and make eye contact with your partner every so often throughout the dance. Try to project a warm and positive image on the dance floor, even if that is not your personal style. Avoid looking elsewhere while dancing with your partner; your eyes should remain focused on her and your ears on the music. |
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Ladies Be personable, smile, and make eye contact with your partner every so often throughout the dance. Try to project a warm and positive image on the dance floor, even if that is not your personal style. Avoid looking elsewhere while dancing with your partner; you should remain focused on following your partner’s leads. |
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Gentlemen If you are more experienced than your partner, dance at the level she is in. Always start with simple figures, and gradually work your way up to more complicated patterns. Never blame your partner for missed steps. |
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Ladies If you are a more experienced dancer than your partner is, be patient with him. Remember that the learning process can be challenging. |
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Gentlemen Avoid teaching your partner new patterns during a social dance. Concentrate on doing what both of you can do, and enjoy the dance. Unsolicited teaching can make your partner feel uncomfortable and takes the fun out of dancing. |
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Ladies Avoid telling your partner how to lead you during a social dance. Unsolicited teaching can make your partner feel uncomfortable and takes the fun out of dancing. |
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Gentlemen When a song comes to an end, escort your partner back to where you asked her to dance. Never just leave your partner out on the dance floor. Remember to always thank your partner after a dance. |
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Ladies After the dance is finished, thank your partner. Â Â |