This could really be a great TV show. Think about it.
Up and coming Salsa dancer has trouble making the transition from dance lessons to nightclubs, but isn't quite sure what is lacking.
A loud and obnoxious dance instructor in a ruffled shirt enters the room, with a live band behind him, and says, "Let the makeover begin! Fuego!"
While we wait for an industry executive to contact us about producing that Reality TV show, we can provide for you the tips to improve your Salsa Dancing - all without an obnoxious character, or cliche clothing options.
10 Signs Your Salsa Dancing May Need a Makeover
1. A Dance Circle
This can be deceiving. Most people on a dance floor circle around a really great couple, or breakdancing showdown between rival dance gangs.
In this case, it could be that your movements have become dangerous to those around you. This isn't to say that you've started a new type of Fire Juggling Salsa - in that case we'd be interested to see it - but, more likely, your rock steps are too big, and there are some innocent bystanders limping away.
2. Same-Old, Same-Old
Take your favorite Salsa move, execute it once, and you're a hero. Repeat that 76 more times, and you're annoying. We aren't suggesting that you learn 76 different moves, but it's good to change up, and repackage, what you do know.
The best Latin dancers will emphasize the big four: The salsa basic, the outside turn, the inside turn, and the cross body lead. These are the 4 Pillars of Salsa Dancing and can, and should, be customized to expand your variety.
3. Cool it Shakira
Someone appreciating your figure is one thing, but if they are looking at your dancing with an expression that looks like they are smelling ammonia - there is definitely a problem. Something offensive is happening. Lucky for you, we've narrowed down some options.
- Red Alert Zipper malfunction - You'll get a polite smile if you forgot to zip your zipper, but the ammonia face only happens if the zipper mistake seems intentional.
- Gyration - Perhaps your movements are coming across a tad more than suggestive. Dial it back.
- Random - You are wearing underwear outside of your pants, and they are made from recycled stuffed animals.
Well timed, and trained, hip action is called "Cuban Motion". Un-timed and random acts of hip action may look like footage from Burning Man, and should stop before more people get hurt.
4. Poor Transition Game
Sitting and drinking at a Latin Nightclub puts you within striking distance of something truly great. Yet, no matter how many drinks you drink, and how much great music you listen to, that won't get you any closer to delivering on the dance floor.
All of that can change with a single dance lesson.
It will lower your bar tab, improve your transition game, and drastically reduce your dance floor anxiety.
5. Abandonment Issues
Nearly 3 out of 4 people abandon their cart for some reason when shopping online. We hope that those statistics aren't similar for your dance partners. Abandonment, dance-wise, takes place when your partner exits the dance floor without you, and you're trying your best to ninja your way back to the bar without being noticed.
There are three potential reasons for this, and all are under your control:
- Physical - You may be physically overpowering (See #8 below)
- Hygiene - Lettuce in the teeth, bad body odor
- Social - Unwanted advances of a non-dancing variety
6. Group Needy
Group classes are a great way to enhance the learning process, but they can't take the place of private lessons. When it comes to Salsa, if you are Group Class Needy, your dance options are restricted to people who:
- Attended the same class as you.
- Remember the combination you learned.
Great dancers don't need those types of barriers in their lives.
7. Full Disclosure
Leading and Following is all about sending a clear signal that is easy to read. That signal should also be interesting, fun, and not too repetitive. Think of this like a game of poker or chess - how often can you try the same tactics, without variety, and expect to win?
So ditch your pre-printed agenda, and never use the same basic more than three times in a row.
8. Heavy Breathing
Sure, Latin dancing is a secret aerobic activity, and, yes, it's more like sprinting than, say, walking casually after a big Sunday brunch, but you still need one essential skill:
Conversation.
The sound of heavy breathing may be drowned out by great Latin music, but it can create an unbearably awkward pause in a dance conversation. Social dancing is all about having your dance skills on auto-pilot so you can enjoy socializing on the dance floor. Heavy breathing doesn't count as speech, and it just means you need to develop some multitasking through slower dances first.
9. Ease Up the Grip
When you finish dancing, if your partner happens to be nursing the hand you were holding back to life - you could have a "Thinking Hand". Yes, it's that same instinct that makes you tighten up your grip on your steering wheel, or your golf club when the pressure goes up. The brain waves of deep dancing thought are transmitted into additional foot pounds of pressure. It's not exclusive to the Salsa, but it happens often due to the tempo of the music.
10. No Counterfeits
There are many misconceptions about Salsa Dancing, and one rings true more than any other: You cannot fake it. Whether you took dance classes as a child, or your father played the Congas for Tito Puente - you need to take dance lessons to get better at dancing.
You can't feel your way, drink your way, or fake your way through this, or any, partner dance. It doesn't take long to learn, but you do need to take lessons if you want to upgrade your skills.
Here, we'll make it really easy for you.
Final Thought
This Salsa makeover has more to do with how you dance, than what you dance. That's by design. The great news? All of these upgrades are not exclusive to just one dance. Some of them are quick, while others may take some time (see #3 "Hip Motion"), but none of them need to be perfect.
Learning to dance, any dance, is a process, and you don't need a ruffled shirt, band toting guy to share that with you. We'd prefer telling you in professional attire at your local Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
