ARTICLES
     

 

WheneverI have the opportunity I ask women what they love or hate about leaders.  Some of them are very specific and some of them are not as clear, but there are some common qualities and bad habits that keep coming up during these conversations.  As a leader I know that at some point we need to hear a comment in order to notice what we may be doing that isn’t pleasing you ladies.  Let me share my discoveries with you.


Be polite on the dance floor:

When you are dancing you become the point of attention for about 2-3 seconds.  Keep in mind that the followers and leaders alike will take a glance at you.  Believe me, ladies are always looking for good dancers, and being polite is as important as spinning 14 times in an eight count. Leaders that take care and are concerned about the ladies safety when on the dance floor make an enormously good impression on women. I have found that my dance partners like to feel protected.  Most importantly they love dancing with someone that will show them a good time while keeping them away from those terribly wild dancers that need more room then a  football field.  Sometimes keeping your partner safe means sacrificing your best pattern, your amazing spin or even the whole song, but believe me you will reap the benefit of her gratitude. Use your hands to try to keep dancers from bumping in to your partner and don’t let her go too far away from you.  You will have a better chance to protect her if she is closer to you. Use some traveling steps if you have to and take her across the dance floor if necessary to keep her safe while being polite to your dancing neighbors.  You don’t want to become “that” annoying dancer while trying to keep her safe

By Jose Hernandez

November 21, 2008.

 

Little Things Make a Big Difference
 

Basic hygiene is sometimes forgotten. We need to remember this and take heed.  It is really important to take some extra precautions if you want to be welcome in the dance community.  Dancers are aware of beauty and passion, and unfortunately of the fact that we don’t always smell like roses. 

Think about taking an extra shirt, a towel and even a fan to help keep you fresh after those seven minute songs played by the band. Some of us come straight from work (yeah you workaholic) and don’t have time to go home and take a shower, but that’s no excuse for poor hygiene.  Keep an extra deodorant in the car and some nice smelling colon.  Just consider how much the ladies do in order to get all dolled up, smelling great and looking their best.  

Now picture this.  You as a leader just finished dancing Arranca en Fa, from La Sonora Carruseles, or Aguanile from Willie Colon, and you’re sweating like Niagra falls.  You’re a great dancer and rarely turned down for a dance. You walk up to a lady, look into her eyes feeling confident while you extend your hand politely. She smells great and looks like a beautiful princess.   You get to your favorite spot on the dance floor, and in to your starting position.  You look into her deep and beautiful eyes while giving her your greatest smile.  The best song of the night starts.  She looks at you expecting to have a wonderful time.  Slowly she places her hand on your shoulder and voila, she lands on your soaked shirt. Now her hand is dripping with YOUR sweat.  Take a wild guess and imagine the first thing that comes to her mind??? Anyone?

EEEEWWWWWWWW! X 10000. The perfect moment has being spoiled, completely ruined.  She won’t enjoy the dance because she is worried about you flinging sweat on her when you spin.

Don’t let this happen to you.  Allow the perfect song of the night to be just that, Perfect!  Be sure and take those little extra steps to make your dance partners be as comfortable and happy as possible. Remember these hints:  An extra shirt, a towel and some deodorant could save the night and YOU will smell good all the time.   

By Jose Hernandez

December 02, 2008
 

IMAGINE...
Imagine you had a pair of magic dance shoes and every time you'd put them on you would dance like no one else. Sounds kinda unrealistic but would you like the idea? How would it make you feel? Would it in any way effect the way you think about dancing? Would you ever want to take them off? What do you think your friends would say? Wouldn't it make you feel proud? Wouldn't it be great?
 
Well, let me tell you something, I have tried a pair once and it was back in September 2003 when I joined my first salsa dance class, it felt so incredible that I have refused to take them off.

It's not about being the best or being better than anybody else, it's about what it means to you, what dancing really means to you and how it makes you feel no matter if you are a beginner or a pro.  

As Martha Graham (an American modern dancer and a choreographer who danced and choreographed for over seventy years) once said "Great dancers aren't great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion"
So find your own passion, discover your unique style, enjoy the process of learning while making new friends, have a reason to keep you going as there are many, and remember you may not know it but you are already the best in whatever you do if you truly believe it!!!


By Eva Baseova
September 16, 2011