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DANCE TIPS, OPINIONS & DISCUSSIONS 
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From the 1 to the 2:  Tips for a successful journey

12/4/2021

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So you took the plunge and decided to learn to dance Salsa On2!  Welcome 🤗

The Salsa On2 community is HUGE, not just here in Toronto or New York (home of salsa on2), but all around the world!   As an On1 dancer learning to dance On2, you can take advantage of the familiar as you overcome the challenges. 
 
THE FAMILIAR 
  1. Whether you're dancing salsa on1 or on2, the music is the same. 
  2. The rhythm of salsa (quick-quick-slow/1,2,3, 5,6,7) is the same.
  3. General "moves" including the basic steps are the the same (shines and partner work).  The difference is when in the music you do it. You can apply what you know on1 to on2. 

THE CHALLENGES 
  1. Your Salsa On1 autopilot.  Experienced On1 hear and feel salsa music in a certain way.  When you lose focus (which will happen), your autopilot will kick in.  Your efforts towards learning to dance On2 need to be very intentional.  
  2. General timing challenges:  If finding the “1” in the music was challenging when dancing on1,  odds are the same will happen when dancing on2.  Music is music.  However, learning another style of salsa puts greater attention on music, instrumentation, rhythm and coordination.  Often, those who learn other styles of salsa can improve their overall salsa timing through the process.  
​​​THE APPROACH
  1. Believe you can do it.  Thousands of people around the world have done it. You can too!
  2. The good stuff is in the process.  Learning to dance on2 does not happen overnight.  The “process” is where you find your weaknesses.  It's where you learn to pay attention to music in a deeper way,  and create new connections with your body.  There's lots of good stuff in the "process", so don't try to rush it!  
  3. Expect to be frustrated.  No worthwhile journey comes without some struggles, so expect it to be part of the experience.  Accept it and move forward :) 
  4. Dedicate a period of time to focus on Salsa On2.  Just like any new skill, focus is needed to create new muscle memories.  Dedicate and actually schedule time to focus on On2.  Your intention, consistency,  persistence and regular practice can help strengthen a new muscle memory so that you can think less and groove more!
THE TACTICS
  1. Listen to music.  One of the things makes salsa so interesting is the music.  There are many varieties and flavours of salsa.  Some music is “easier” to hear timing, others may be unfamiliar, or more complex (i.e. salsa jazz or those "quieter" percussion).  Listen to and train your ears to count and dance different styles of salsa.  Click here for a slow salsa playlist by ifreestyledance.
  2. Coordinate your ears, body and music:  Spend time ACTIVELY listening to music; tapping, counting and dancing; if you can’t hear it, you can’t dance it on time. 
  3. Stay present in the music:  Starting and maintaining time requires being aware of the music all the time.  A common pitfall is to use the music to start dancing, then disconnect from it shortly after.  Stay present so that you always feel connected to the music.
  4. COUNT COUNT COUNT!  For now, you can’t trust your On1 autopilot because it serves to keep you On1.    Learning to dance on2 is all about numbers (at first).  It may feel like a step backwards but simply knowing On2 “intellectually” is NOT the same as feeling it in your muscles; they need time to absorb the new rhythm! COUNT! MINDFULLY while focussing on your body and the music as well as the numbers. COUNT.  Do it. Count. 
  5. **Keep it simple.  Learning a new timing means creating a different ear for music, timing, feeling.  This is not the time to be fancy.   Build strong timing foundations first.  Many experienced dancers (leaders and followers) prefer simple and on time, not complex and off time.  
  6. Practice on your own.  Work on yourself so you can bring something solid to your partner work.  Throw on some music, count, dance.. rinse and repeat with regularity.  
  7. Find people you can practice with.  Remove the pressure or fear of boring your partner by finding practice partners. If you take classes, you have more access to others on the same journey.
  8. Dance with On2 dancers of ALL LEVELS –
    1. Experienced:  You can “piggy back” off their sense of rhythm and learn how it "should" feel.  If you fall off time, there's a good chance it's you ;) 
    2. Intermediate:  You're on an equal playing field here.  Can you both stay on time, can you help each other maintain timing?  
    3. Beginner On2 dancers:  You can test how well you are able to help others with their rhythm and keep them on time.
WHEN  YOU KNOW YOU GOT IT
  1. You can dance whole songs while dancing on time!  This means starting on time and maintaining time throughout!  
  2. You can “feel” dancing on2, rather than needing to count it to stay on time. 
  3. You don’t depend on your partner to keep your time or find the 1.
  4. When dancing with beginners (or those with inconsistent or off beat timing), you can help them stay on time.
  5. You can quickly tell when you’re off time and get back on time quickly.  
REMEMBER...
Quality dancers are first most impressed by good timing and rhythm.  Without it, nothing looks/feels as good as it should.  So don’t bombard your partners with fancy offbeat moves that usually lead to discomfort, frustration and even injuries due to lack of partner coordination and timing .  Make your goal to demonstrate to your partners that they can trust your timing and rhythm.

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Be patient, count and enjoy the journey!  
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HOW TO HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE IN A DANCE CLASS

9/12/2021

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iFreeStyle.ca students in downtown Toronto, Canada!
Have you ever asked yourself this question?  Seems like common sense, right?  Show up to class, learn some moves, meet some people, feel awesome!  A great experience needs some self-awareness and awareness of others. Let's look at this a little closer.

Firstly, why do we even learn to dance?

8 REASONS WE LEARN TO DANCE (VOLUNTARILY)
There are umpteen reasons but here are 10 common ones.
  1. Learn to dance (duh!)
  2. Meet new people (for friendship or perhaps more... but don't be creepy in class)
  3. Escape from the daily grind and life stresses (family, work, partners, world problems, drama, controversies, general negative energy etc.)
  4. Balance life with some FUN (enjoy the music, people, energy)
  5. Follow a dream or fill a void
  6. Challenge yourself (competition, improve, overcome fears, build confidence etc.)
  7. Start a new awesome hobby
  8. Prepare for vacation to a Latin American country or dance congress (if your dance of choice is salsa, bachata or cha cha)
  9. It's in your soul and it needs to be expressed
  10. Connect and vibe with others!  Yes!

IT'S ME TIME
When we choose do so something like dance, we look for an experience that will satisfy our needs, and wants so we can feel great.  Dance has tons to offer...the music, the movements, the people energy,  the vibe.  Feel energized not just after class, but in the moment. Let all that goodness into your soul.  It's ME time :) And on days you need some extra energy,  the music, dance and fellow students can help lift your spirits!

IT'S US TIME TOO!
Our sheer presence in the room impacts the overall vibe of the class.   We feed off energy AND we create energy.  Sometimes we're so into our own experience that we forget about others.  They may be having a blast, totally lost, killing' it, or struggling to stay focused. Your smile or encouragement might be that thing that changes their experience for the better.  
 
HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A GREAT VIBE IN A DANCE CLASS
  1. FOR YOU - Come with an open mind, ready to learn and have a great time!  When you're having a blast, it contributes a positive energy in the room! 
    1. Immerse yourself in the experience, leaving your non-dance thoughts at the door!
    2. Don't hold back.  When it's time to go full out, go as all-out as you can.  
    3. This is your journey.  Don't leave regretting that you held back because you cared too much about looking silly to others.   
    4. Challenge yourself and enjoy the moments when things “click”.  
    5. Be patient with yourself if it doesn't "click" instantly.  Learning is a process.  
  2. FOR OTHERS - Be aware of others who are also trying to let go and enjoy the experience! 
    1. Give encouragement, smiles, share space (mirror-time), saying hi and bye... all the warm fuzzy stuff.  
    2. In partner work, take care of your partner.  Be patient, smile, participate and don't force moves.  
    3. In partner work, acknowledge when you mess up (which is inevitable).  Somehow this can relax your partner (so they don't get tempted to tell you themselves). 
    4. Leave critique to the instructors (or for when you are asked for your opinion).  Think about how you felt when you received unsolicited instructions from a fellow student.  Usual inside thought "who do you think you are? <insert other not so nice thoughts and criticisms here>".  This is negative vibe, so try to avoid this.  
    5. Learn names!  Humans feel greater connection when you call them by name.  
  3. FOR YOUR TEACHERS – Share positive energy with your instructor.  They vibe off of you too!  
    1. Respond when they ask questions like "move on?", "do we have it?" ,"do it again?" "questions?",  It's more fun when there is interaction :) 
    2. Pay attention (save your conversations with friends for breaks or before/after class).
    3. Try.  It's not about getting the moves perfect, it's about effort.  Instructors love seeing you have fun, but also seeing progress over time.  
    4. If you enjoyed the class, let them know! If you have suggestions or requests, AND if they are open to hear them, tell them in a respectful way.  

Let these ideas marinate for a bit.  We all can improve our self-awareness and awareness of others.   In dance, especially in Latin street dances, the experience is shared with partners, team mates, instructors, and friends! Radiate the your best energy and create an authentic joy that will keep you and others around you smiling. 

ENJOY!
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HOW TO BECOME A BETTER DANCER:  SOCIAL DANCING

1/25/2019

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If you’re a Latin danceaholic, your first few experiences watching two people tear it up on the dance floor probably got you hooked.  You might have been enticed by the sensuality, the rawness, the fun, the partner connection, the music, or simply how cool they looked…

  1. “It looks like so much fun!”
  2. “I love the music!”
  3.  “I NEED to know how to do this and impress my friends”
  4.  “If he can dance with so many hot girls, so can I!”
  5. “Look at those awesome shoes! I want to dance in those shoes!”

So you started taking classes, picked up some moves from YouTube, tried club classes and left right after.  But it wasn’t enough to get good.  Why?  Social dancing is simply an essential part of your dance training.  Let’s say you’re not in it to be a professional dancer, so you’re not trying to “train”, you’re just in it for fun.  Hopefully everyone is in it for the fun since most people don’t get paid to do it.  HOWEVER, salsa, bachata and cha cha are primarily danced with a partner.  Which means what YOU do affects someone else.  If you’re off time, rough as a leader, lazy as a follower, YOU are affecting someone else’s experience.  For that reason, it’s important to care about how YOU move.  If you don’t want that kind of responsibility, then choose a partner-less dance genre where you can go buck wild and not hurt anyone else with your fabulous solo work 😜

While in many Latin countries, locals grow up with the music and culture, most any non-Latin Americans learned to dance outside their home, namely through formal classes. One of the biggest benefits of classes is feedback and practice with different people to prepare you for the social dance floor.  Here’s the order of operation:

STEP #1 – Take group classes and/or privates to learn how to dance, and get feedback by trusted instructors.
STEP #2 – Go out to a social/practice session/club and put those moves into practice. Start to build a level of sensitivity to leading/following others.  Adjust, revise, improve.  Have fun and meet new people along the way. 

REPEAT.

While Step #1 alone doesn’t typically build great dancers, taking the time to learn basics builds a foundation for great dancing.  And getting feedback is extremely valuable if you hope to improve.  You’ll find that all levels, even world champions and experienced social dancers have coaches to help them become smoother "movers",  more musical, clearer as a lead/follow. 

 Step #2 is the next essential part of a dancer’s progress to greatness. What you learn, must be put into practice. Mistakes will be made, and that’s okay.  It’s part of the journey and every dancer will go through it (pretty much forever).  This isn’t like Calculus homework.  There isn’t “one” right answer.  It’s about discovering your voice as a dancer, which is just as unique as you are.  First and foremost, remember that Latin dances meant to be danced SOCIALLY.  That’s the best part!  You'll meet people, create new friendships, laugh, connect and feel a sense of freedom that you’ve never felt before.  It takes time and practice to feel the essence of each dance style and to find your voice.  There will be bumps along the way but the results will be worth it!   

Here are 5 ways social dancing can help you becoming a better dancer.


  1. IT TESTS YOUR SKILLS  
    Like any new skill, mastering it required requires real practice time.  One of the greatest things about dancing salsa, bachata, or cha cha is that practicing is FUN! I’ve had students that wanted to wait until they got really good before trying to social dance.  Reality check... it's nog going to happen that way.  Dancing with the same people who know all your moves/following people whose moves you know will limit you.  Great dancers are skilled at dancing with anyone – remember it’s not about the “moves”.  Musicality and connection can take a dance in many directions and the truly "free" will use their well-practiced technique to play and dance “outside the box”. 

  2. IT DEVELOPS YOUR MUSICALITY (IF YOU OPEN YOUR EARS)
    Dancing is not just about "what you do" but "when" and "how" you do it.  
    A common quality in great dancers is musicality (the "when").  Exposure to a variety of music will definitely help your musicality.  It’s one thing to listen to a lot of music in the car or at home.It’s another to react to the music with your body.  Take the time open your ears to hear and feel fit’s flavour, the instrumentation, it’s mood, it’s soul.  Be an active listener of music, instead of just using music as a metronome.  Then learning to move with the music can greatly improve your own musicality.  And in dancing with others and watching others, you can absorb new ways of hearing music and expressing yourself musically.  


  3. IT PROVIDES AN OUTLET TO EXPRESS YOURSELF 
    Dance is an art form.  And there’s endless ways to express yourself to music.  Social dancing exposes you to the styles of others in partner work, foot work, styling or playfulness!  On a day to day basis, many of us may feel constrained by "rules" whether at work or home.  Dance gives us that chance to let your hair down (so to speak) and move to music that inspires us!


  4. IT HELPS DEVELOP BETTER BODY MOVEMENT 
    The ironic thing about having "natural" Latin body movement is that does not come so "naturally" to everyone.  Often it's a result of overthinking, trying to be "perfect" or simply lack of body awareness. Luckily   technique can be learned.  Street dances emerge in response to the "times", the culture and and innate need for humans to express themselves physically to rhythms and melodies.  Learning about the music, instruments, the culture and history can help develop that "natural" Latin movement.   Social dancing provides that opportunity to apply movement to music, and in doing so helps to develop your stylistic identity (which by the way, will continuously evolve as you grow as a dancer).  


  5. IT HELPS YOU DISCOVER YOURSELF 
    This one sounds kind of flakey, but.... like our fashion sense, our humour, how we talk, we all have our own dance style.  We’ll be influenced by who taught us, what we see on a regular basis, our music and stylistic preferences.  And it’s something that is usually discovered on the social dance floor from many hours of fun (practice) dancing.  Enjoy the process.  Be a sponge and learn from instructors whose style you admire, and who possess the skills to teach you. 
 
Get yourself social dancing as soon as possible to gain inspiration of what’s to come.  Being in an environment where there are others who enjoy dancing too can keep the fuelling your fire for dancing. 
Feel the vibe of the Latin dance culture and take full advantage of the social nature inherent in Latin dances.  Watch, admire, absorb, and enjoy!  Watching can be fun, but it’s even more fun to dance!  #LetYourBodySpeak
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8 Reasons He Won't Ask You for a Second Dance

1/27/2017

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Ladies… so you think you had a super fun dance with a great dancer.  But you wonder why he never asks you for a second dance.  Most guys won’t tell you why, but here are some common reasons…
 
  1. FINGER SQUEEZING
    Unfortunately, leaders are subject to the dreaded “finger squeeze” by women supporting their weight and balance by squeezing their partner’s fingers like they’re milking a cow.  If you’re a finger squeezer, you’re a potential source of injury for your partner.  Make it a priority to improve your balance and own your steps to avoid benching him.  Injured men means fewer dances for the rest of us and we don’t want that!


  2. MAC TRUCK & INVISIBLE FOLLOWING 
    This is not about weight, rather about tension/tone.  Achieving a nice, fluid, comfortable connection with your partner is needed to let expression flow freely.  When it feels like the leader is basically dancing FOR you (physically dragging you everywhere, keeping your time and balance), it’s a workout. You could be 90 pounds but could be the heaviest follower in the club.  Leaders don’t want dance FOR you, they want to dance WITH you.  Listen to the music, stay on time, and manage your own balance.  Imagine if you had to carry him while he was dancing…for 3-5 minutes. On the other hand, when a follower is too light, she can feel invisible.  
    He feels like he’s chasing you.  Kind of like dancing with a ghost... he can see you but he can't feel your presence enough to lead you.  (This is not the same as back leading).  Whether salsa, bachata, cha cha or Kizomba, there’s a certain level of elasticity needed in your connection for a true lead and follow to happen.  When you find that right level of elasticity, you’ll feel like you’re actually dancing together and isn't that what it's all about?


  3. BACK LEADING
    Trying to guess what a leader is going to do defeats the purpose of following.  And it can ruin the connection you have with your partner.  Great followers are awesome at responding to the leader’s….well, lead.  Women are often afraid of being behind or missing the lead, but sometimes we think too far ahead and anticipate what’s about to happen. In doing so, you’ll likely miss the lead, interrupt his flow, mess up timing, and ruin your connection.  It takes skill to wait for that lead and have that right level of responsiveness.  That skill can set apart good followers from awesome followers.  Your first job as a follower is to follow.  There can be only one driver :)  So try not to “guess” what’s going to happen because you’re going to miss the fun of “feeling” what he’s going to do in the moment and where he’s going to take the dance.  


  4. HIJACKING
    ​Hijackers take back leading to another level.  In the hijacker bucket include: 
    1. Over-stylers who take every opportunity to ram in every styling element they know in one count of eight, for the whole song whether or not it matches music.
    2. Social performers who use excessive energy (often taking down her partner) as they eyeball the crowd and potential onlookers. 
    3. Self-dippers who propel themselves into dips without a lead from her partner.  This is an accident waiting to happen. And can injure your unsuspecting leader. 
    4. Over-spinners who always try to squeeze in extra turns... just cause.  He leads 2, she does 3.  He leads 3, she tries to do 6 as he chases her wobbly unspotted spins across the dance floor, ready to catch her totally off beat and unmusical fall.

      Don’t be a hijacker.  Leaders don’t like dancing with them.  
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  5. THE WILD HORSE
    The wild horse follower usually doesn’t have a good command of timing, musicality or following technique, so she steps randomly with no particular connection to the music or what her partner is leading.  She’s might be completely oblivious to this, having a blast in all the randomness, OR possibly freaking out because doesn’t really understand how to follow (yet).  The wild horse is one of the most difficult types to lead because you just can’t control her.  Her lack of frame means you can’t even help her stay on time unless you put her in a kizomba hold and lock her down. Ladies, if you’re new to dancing, keep it simple and don’t be “extra”.  Tip: practice your timing on your own, take some classes, learn shines, listen to music, get feedback from a trusted instructor and keep it simple.  If you’re experienced, know your #1 job – to follow, and you’ll build a connection that will allow for more controlled “extra”. While there’s tons of freedom to play with in salsa, there are certain rules that help make it flow, and help your leader know where your weight is.  If you’re taking extra steps/missing steps or breaking back on 5.5,6,7.75,8, you’re making your poor leader suffer in confusion.  Moral of the story, don’t be a wild horse.  


  6. DIVA DANCING
    This includes, but is not limited to:
    1. ​not smiling
    2. never making eye contact to show interest in the dance
    3. looking bored/looking around at other dancers
    4. lazy stepping/following like you’re too good for this dance
    5. giving negative energy
    6. giving looks of disgust when a move doesn’t work/blaming him for everything that doesn’t work

      Outside of technique, your attitude could be a turn ON or a turn OFF.  Men like confidence, an easy going vibe, a sexy attitude.. but not an “I’m too good for you” attitude. Sometimes it’s simply bad taste, however it's possible that some women don’t know they're doing it.  Be a friend and let your best gal friend know if she’s a dancing diva.   Whether you’re dancing with a beginner or someone you consider a superstar, it’s good etiquette to give him a positive, happy vibe :)


  7. B.O.
    It may seem like women are the ones complaining about bad breath or BO, but it goes both ways. Keep some mints handy (avoid the potential choking from gum chewing), a change of clothes, deodorant and body wipes.  Don't make hygiene the reason he doesn't come back for more. 


  8. "SECRET" WEAPONS
    This category is more about awareness and has nothing to do with actual dance technique, but it’s worth mentioning.
    1. Sharp jewelry (great point suggested by several readers):  Rings with sharp stones/ edges or flying necklaces can leave your partner feeling like they've been on a battlefield.  Similar to the "jump" test we do with our outfits to ensure there aren't any unwanted surprises, test your jewelry on yourself and see how it feels when scratch yourself with it.  If you see blood or scratch marks, maybe better to find less dangerous options. 
    2. ​Braided ponytail weapons:    If you’re planning on dancing where there could be some spinning involved, high braided pony-tails can be considered a weapon.  Imagine a stiff, tightly wrapped rope whipping you in the face with every turn.  Save that hair-do for Kizomba.
 
So girls, let's do a self-check every now and then, and make some adjustments as needed.  Let your dancing speak for itself and make him want to come back for more!  Happy dancing!

Thank you to all the men who shared their stories and opinions over the years!  Let's make our dance experiences even better :) 

Fellas, did we miss any? Comment below!


Related blogs:8 Reasons She Hopes You Won't Ask for a Second Dance


Author

Caryl Cuizon, iFreeStyle.ca Co-founder.

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From "Wall Flower" to "Dancing Machine" – HOW TO GET MORE DANCES

11/25/2016

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This blog, originally posted back in November 2007, is dedicated to an iFreeStyle student and friend who, like many shy intermediate salsa, bachata and cha cha dancers wanted to know how to “crack the code” on how to get more dances… This one is for you! Enjoy my friend and I hope it helps!

If you’re SHY or NEW to the Latin dance community in your city, it may be scary to ask complete strangers to dance.  You might be a beginner (stay tuned for more on that), or you may have been dancing for a while and you don’t understand why experienced dancers aren’t asking you to dance. We all have some insecurities and fears of rejection, but know this… rejection has happens to EVERYONE. The best of the best dancers out there were obviously NOT the best when they started.  You’re not alone.  And there’s ways to get out of the barren dance experience.   

It’s partly a numbers game…  The nature of partner dancing requires some sort of explicit or implicit invitation to dance.  Many times in one night.  Sometimes the answer is “yes”, sometime “no”, or sometimes “later”.  We put ourselves out there and rejection is a real possibility. The frequency of this invitation also invites more opportunities for “no’s” and yeah, that might not sound very encouraging.  If you want to be a dancing machine instead of a wallflower, prepare to put yourself out there.  It’s going to take some courage and know-how to maneuver your way to success, but chances are good that results will come fairly quickly if you give these tips a try.  

These 10 tips on HOW TO GET MORE DANCES (applies to both men and women :)


  1. Smile :) This seems pretty basic, but many people don’t realize that they might have a miserable look on their face – frowning, angry, bored, blank… Someone who wants a fun dance is looking for someone who looks happy and fun.  Check your misery, diva attitude and stress at the door and get ready to have a good time!

  2. Show welcoming body language.  Uncross those arms, face the dance floor, pay attention, stand up, put your drink down…  Like #1, your body language can either say “I love dancing!” or “stay away from me”.  Be yourself and show your happy, fun loving personality - we're drawn to people with a positive outlook and vibe!

  3. Easy Access (to the dance floor, that is).  Be near the perimeter of the dance floor (not ON the dance floor unless you want to get smacked in the head or irritate those dancing).  Unless you’re one of the top dancers, most people aren’t going to travel to the other side of a room, behind the plant, or reach across a table to ask you to dance, especially if the person is shy or afraid of getting a “no”.  So, make yourself available.  Easy access, in this case, is a good thing.

  4. Dance on the sidelines:  If you’re not dancing with a partner, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dance or enjoy the music.  Many experienced dancers look out for people on the sidelines who show a good sense of rhythm and are enjoying the music.  So why not do a bit of advertising?  Move to the music and show them you can groove!

  5. Be gracious while you are dancing. Many people pre-select their next dance based not only by dance ability, but also attitude and how they observe people treating his/her partner on the dance floor.  There have been many AWESOME leaders I’ve seen on the dance floor who make their partner feel inferior, and that is a BIG TURN OFF.  Also, ladies are notorious for giving that dreaded “bored” look.  This is a guy’s worst fear.  Keep in mind that people may be watching, and a bad attitude towards other people could lose your ticket to a dance with someone awesome, and even worse all of his/her friends.

  6. Thank you partner after each dance.  It’s just common courtesy to thank your partner for sharing 3-5 minutes of dancing together.  You’ll likely be more memorable and perhaps get an invitation to dance again later.

  7. Put together the best you.  Okay, many of you are not going to like this one because it seems shallow.  Hear me out…If you put together a great outfit, shoes that look good and feel good, nice hair, smell good… you’re likely going to feel more confident.  And people are naturally more attracted to confidence.  This doesn’t mean look slutty, or that you need a million $$ outfit with dark shades in a nightclub to look cool.  Jut present the best you possible. And when you can back up that up with confident dancing, you’ll be on your way to super-dancing-machine status.

  8. Go out dancing more often.  When dancers see you out regularly, they start to recognize you as someone in the community.  People naturally connect with people who enjoy similar things.  With each new dance, you’ll meet new people and even develop a “favourites” list!  Those people know people who know people.  It’s networking.  Soon you’ll have a new group of dance friends who you can enjoy dancing with on a regular basis. Success!!

  9. Share. If you’re out with your friends, make it a point “share” favourite dancers with each other. You’re getting the endorsement from your friend that you’ll probably enjoy the dance.  And it helps to grow your network of people to dance with.

  10. ****Be proactive & just ask.  This is by far, the easiest and fastest way to transform that barren dance experience to an oasis of dance filled nights.  If you want to dance with someone, ASK.  Simple.  Take control of the situation and go ask them yourself (nicely, of course).  And ladies, it’s equal opportunity in the dance world.  Gone are the days when men do all the asking (although it’s still nice when he does).  So unless you like being a spectator all night, learn to get over it and just ask! 

These tips are doable, right? Ultimately, pro-active people get more out of life. So don’t wait.  Ask. Give some or all of these tips a shot and see how it goes.  Take charge of your night and you may just kick yourself in the butt for allowing yourself so many dance-less nights… Go get’em.  Have fun!  

Author

Caryl Cuizon, iFreeStyle.ca co-founder.

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Top 10 Reasons to dance SALSA! 

11/9/2016

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(originally posted 2007)​

​If you're considering learning to dance salsa, there's a lot of reasons to take the plunge and just do it! Salsa dancing is one of the most social dances in the world...it's a style of dance accessible by people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, professions.  And if you think you can't dance, think again...!

Here's our TOP 10 reasons why people love to dance salsa...
  1. If you thought club dancing was fun, multiply that fun factor by a zillion. There's a reason for the term "salsaholic"... You just won't be able to resist it!

  2. Salsa dancing gives you the opportunity to meet A LOT (like a lot) of people who love dancing too.  Whether you are shy or really outgoing, salsa dancing offers a place for you to connect with tons of people you may never have met .

  3. The music is infectious... With so many influences in salsa music (jazz, afro, urban, folkloric), there's so much variety.  It's tough to get bored of salsa music because there's always something to fit every mood!

  4. Salsa dancing offers a great night life! Spice up your date night, create new friendships and maybe meet a new love?

  5. It's a way to de-stress from day to day chaos (without alcohol).  Salsa music can move your soul and inspire you to let loose and be creative.  Save $$ on drinks and still have a blast!

  6. A big attraction for many people is that salsa is not only cool, but super sensual (if you want it to be, of course).  We all have a desire for connection, so some no-strings-attached dances with a few dozen partners a night could be just what the doctor ordered :)

  7. You'll get exercise and won't even realize it.  Salsa can be fast, slow, mid tempo...but in all cases, it's the kind of dance that keeps you on your toes!  Why not get a workout AND have fun? 

  8. Salsa is meant to be danced socially.  What you can learn in the classroom ca actually be put into practice at the clubs immediately!  You won't have to wait years to start enjoying it.

  9. You learn a new skill to keep your mind and body challenged.
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  10. Take your dancing anywhere in the world.. Just about every major city in the world has a salsa dance community.  You never have to search too hard to find something to do on a vacation, business trip, or long weekend... salsa is awaiting!

Let the fun, experienced instructors at  iFreeStyle.ca Latin Dance School take you on a salsa journey that you only wished you started sooner!  We offer 6-week group lessons, drop-in classes, workshops, performance classes and
private lessons.
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    Author

    Various authors including Caryl Cuizon, co-founder of iFreeStyle.ca Latin Dance Company.

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