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Etiquette for the Classroom and Social Dancing
January 29, 2008
As many of you know, my
evil plan is to build a salsa empire right here in Oklahoma.
There are new
opportunities every week for Oklahoma salseros both in the dance studio and at
social dancing venues. Many of us
catch Salsa Fever as adults and the thought alone of attending classes or asking
someone to dance can be as intimidating as a first date with the boy/girl
you’ve been crushing on for months! How
do you ever find the courage?
First things first….
EVERYONE, including the sassiest salsera in that flirty red dress, had to
take that same first step.
We have all walked into
the studio and thought, “What if I don’t ever learn the basic step? What
if no one asks me to dance?” And,
even when we do get asked to dance, we often think to ourselves, “Well, he/she
is only dancing with me to be nice. He/she
isn’t REALLY enjoying this.”
Dancing is about having a
good time. It is about feeling the
music, not with your feet, but with your heart.
It is about focusing on the person in front of you on the dance floor and
enjoying getting to know them. A
dance is a conversation through music and touch.
Let’s first focus on
the classroom.
When you come to class, it is a good
idea to get there a few minutes early. This
gives you time to change shoes, get a drink, greet your fellow salseros, or
practice some of those tips from my last article.
;)
If a class is already in
session, please be considerate and keep conversations quiet so as not to disturb
the instructor teaching. There is
nothing more frustrating as an instructor than trying to be heard over social
conversations. It is very
inconsiderate to those who have paid for that class.
This also applies to classes in which you are a student.
If you are in a class,
please be respectful both of the instructor and your fellow students.
Depending on the class, some information may be a review of a move or
technique you already know. While
you may have mastered the backspot turn, there may be other students who have
not. They want to learn FROM THE
INSTRUCTOR how they can master it too. Again,
they have paid for the instructor to teach them.
A single person who is not focused can disrupt an entire class.
If this happens frequently, dancers become frustrated and you may lose
the opportunity to dance with someone who is really fun (and/or cute!).
If you think you can help
a fellow dancer, please do so AFTER class.
Debbie, Angel and I always provide music and time after class in which to
ask questions, help other students or just spend time practicing.
As time goes by and you
become the next Jayson Molina, you will develop your own style, combinations and
ways of moving. Street-style
salsa allows for a great degree of individuality- that is part of its beauty and
appeal.
While individuality is a
wonderful thing in the club, please keep an open mind in class.
Just because you have a spinning technique that works for you, that
doesn’t mean another technique doesn’t work just as well for someone else.
As dancers (and
instructors), we must keep an open mind. When
we become rigid and think our way is the only way, we risk becoming dated and
stagnant. As dancers, we must
constantly be evolving. As an
instructor, I often teach several techniques for the same move.
We learn something from every technique- even the ones we don’t like or
may already know.
Additionally, no matter
how big the dance floor or how few students are in the class, please stay off
the dance floor until class has ended. If
you get to the studio early and want to practice, there are practice studios
available.
Now, you took that shot
of Jack and got through your first Salsa class….
what next?
Are studio parties a good
idea for beginning salseros? I’ve
only had one lesson, will I be welcome at a party or club?
ABSOLUTELY!!
I often refer to my
fellow salseros as “my Salsa family”. That
is from the heart. The OKC Swing
Dance Club is like a home and our dancers, family.
Debbie, Angel and I hope all of you will come to feel the same way. It is a safe, relaxing place where Salsa lovers can come to
dance, talk, eat, and just have a good time.
You each bring a special gift with your presence.
No matter who the dancer,
at some point they had to ask/accept that first dance.
It is considered polite
to ask everyone to dance. Yes- that
includes you ladies!
Men are often very
intimidated asking a beautiful lady to dance (and you are all beautiful salseras
on the dance floor). Nothing
brightens a man’s evening more than a woman placing her trust in him and
asking him to dance. We should all
feel flattered when we are asked to dance.
Just to be asked is a compliment.
If you must decline an
invitation to dance, please give a reason.
Would you find the courage to ask someone to dance again if they simply
said ‘no’ and turned away? It
is ok to say ‘no’, just be considerate.
If your feet hurt or you have a blister, say so.
If you are out of breath or need a drink, let the person know and ask
them to ask you again later.
Above all, the single
most important thing on the dance floor is to smile!
Smiling is more important
than what you wear, if your feet are in the right place, or if you know the most
intricate choreography. Your smile
is your greatest weapon on the dance floor.
Dancing is not about
perfection… it is the blend of beautiful mistakes!
Un besote grande!!!
Laura
Tips & Tid-bits for Salsa Dancers
January 15, 2008
Once again, we are at the
beginning of a new year. As always,
Debbie, Angel and I feel blessed to be able to spread our love of Salsa and
Casino Rueda. We continually look
for new ways to improve our teaching as well as our students dance experience.
Because we are constantly
evolving and finding new Salseros, I will be writing tips to help our new
students and remind our returning ones on how to get the most from their time in
class as well as social dancing.
Many of us have very busy
schedules and we make time in our lives because we love Salsa.
On class nights, there is just enough time for me to get from work to
class, change and be ready to go. Because
my time is so limited, some fore thought is key.
I make it a habit to keep my dance bag packed and in my car.
Yes, GUYS, you can have a
dance bag too. My bag includes my
dance shoes, extra socks, moleskin, bandaids, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste,
gum and spray antiperspirant.
Because dancing does
require a relatively high degree of closeness, it is always a good idea to put
on some extra deodorant (for all those dames!) and give a little extra attention
to our teeth and breath. Besides,
being able to confidently flash those pearly whites makes you even more
irrestible!
Feet are very important
as well. I keep spray antiperspirant for my feet- a trick I picked up
from a suggestion by the US Army. Spray
antiperspirant keeps your feet from sweating.
Sweaty feet tend to move in shoes and all that friction causes blisters.
One last tip, while we
want to smell good for class, we can go to the opposite extreme.
Too much perfume can be just as bad as not enough attention to personal
hygiene.
Until next time…. Remember, dancing is the blend of beautiful mistakes.
Viva la Salsa!,
Laura