Nine weeks ago, I took my first salsa dance class. Since then, I have become obsessed, I mean absorbed, in a lively community of kindred spirits who love latin music, dancing and socializing. I have always loved to dance and put off taking classes for years. Earlier in the year, after ending a 21 day fast, I knew what I needed to do with my life. It was time to stop living passively, without passion and settling for less than I knew was meant for me.
From the first class, I knew I had selected the right instructor, the right shoes and the right dance to master first. What I did not count on were all the amazing people I have met and continue to meet each week when I go out dancing. Typically, I am dancing three times a week. This week, I will rack up five days of salsa , sore feet and lots of laughs and smiling. I simply can not get enough. Salsa has taught me a lot about life and relationships:
- The salsa community is very social. For the most part, everyone is friendly, speaks and is willing to help you learn new dance moves. I love seeing advanced dancers working with newbies and encouraging them to keep going. Whether you attend events with friends or by yourself, you are never really alone. There is always someone to talk to and dance with if you are willing to smile and say hello.
- You have to know when to lead and when to follow. I have learned so much about dancing with a partner in the last couple of months. I have danced with over fifty different people and been flying (literally and figuratively) across the dance floor as my partners lead me in and out of cross body moves and butterflies. I have learned the difference in being a good follow, while still maintaining some power in my role as the female part of the duo. Being a follow does not mean you have a passive role in the dance. Instead, you have to know when to give and when to offer a little resistance in certain moves. You have to know how to be flexible and allow your lead to LEAD. Ladies, you have to let a man be a man and men, you have to step into your role and lead the lady. In the end, a great dancing duo is made up of a man and woman who know what their roles are and comfortably embrace them.
- Practice does make perfect. My instructor teaches street style salsa on one and she is a stickler for technique and maintaining your frame. After the basic step, one of the first things you learn is the right turn. From the beginning, I had huge problems controlling my turns and spins. It was not that I did not understand the moves, I simply needed to practice on perfecting my technique before I added my own flair and styling to the dances. Today, I don’t spin out of control from my partners and my dancing has become tighter. It is so much easier to be a good partner when you take the time to practice.
My big take away from my salsa dancing experience so far, is to be in the moment. That is when the magic happens. As you flow in and out of patterns and movements, for that instant, you have an opportunity to connect with another person and with the music. I can not fully explain what this experience has done for me or how it has changed me. What I can tell you is I am loving every single moment of my life right now. In the moment living is THE best way to live.
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