PARTNER DANCING

GUIDELINES

This guide outlines the process of learning to dance as a couple. My advice is simple: don’t rush, take it one step at a time.

You’re on the verge of becoming a part of our dance family.

We’re excited to get to know you !

We’re a close-knit family that warmly welcomes newcomers. What unites us is our shared passion for dancing, the desire to connect with new people, and the enjoyment of learning and improving our dance skills. Moreover, from day one, you’ll have the opportunity to join us for real-world practice, applying what you’ve learned in class.


THE DANCER’S EVOLUTION

Evolution starts with the individual.
You must master control over your movements and learn to dissociate (perform independent movements) various parts of your body.

The next phase centers on understanding your role within partner dance and not attempting a role that doesn’t suit you. In essence, the leader directs and guides, while the follower executes the indicated steps. If you’re dancing without a partner, refrain from taking on the leader’s role, as it serves a distinct purpose. Instead, concentrate on personal growth and practice the steps independently, as this will greatly enhance your mastery of them.

Once you’ve mastered the steps and your designated role, without neglecting the second point, it’s time to infuse your dance with your unique style and personality.

PARTNER DANCING

Clases de Salsa en Málaga

In this dance style, it’s crucial to remember that we’re not dancing alone. Ensuring our partner’s enjoyment is as important as our own.

This necessitates selflessness and the ability to empathize.

Of course, it also requires that both dancers move to the rhythm of the music to stay in sync.

In partner dancing, there are two distinct roles:

 

 1 Leader:

Traditionally, it’s often the man who assumes this role, but nowadays, more and more women are stepping into it.
This role involves juggling many simultaneous actions:

  • You must make sure you don’t lose your step. It is important to always follow the order of your feet, following the pattern of the type of dance you are doing at that moment.
  • You will have to learn to guide your partner so that he or she can perform the steps without too much difficulty. To do this, you will have to make an effort and pay attention to the placement of your hands. You need to be aware of the right moment to give the indication and, above all, don’t be abrupt. Make your movements clear and concise. This will ensure that your partner understands what you want them to do and can execute it.
  • Be aware that your purpose is to guide your partner in advance, clearly indicating what you want your partner to do. But it is your partner who must make the move. Under no circumstances should the leader force their partner to do it, as this will make them an abrupt leader and prevent their partner from learning to do their movements on their own.
  • You will learn to sequence one figure after another with ease. That is to say, while you are doing one step, you will have to prepare the next one, or get resources to be able to link different figures.

Even creating new combinations !

 2 Follower:
Traditionally, it’s typically the woman who takes on this role, but there are instances when men also embrace it.

  • You must make sure you don’t lose your step. It is important to always follow the order of your feet, following the pattern of the type of dance you are doing at that moment.
  • You will have to learn to wait to be guided and not anticipate in the execution of what you think is going to happen.
  • Ensure that you master your individual steps, enabling you to perform as directed without relying on being led. It’s not uncommon to hear some women say, ‘I can dance as long as someone leads me.’ This way of thinking can be selfish because it’s unfair to expect your partner, who already has their own responsibilities, to guide you through every step of the dance execution.
  • Make an effort to leave your arms at your partner’s disposal, so that your partner can guide you without losing his or her fluidity.
The leader guides and the follower executes. To achieve this, both parties must have a clear understanding of their respective roles within the dance.

 

PARTNER ROTATION

We encourage partner rotation to facilitate interaction with our fellow dancers and enhance our learning experience. It adds an element of fun and, most importantly, prevents the development of bad habits by dancing exclusively with one partner. To ensure the class runs smoothly, regular rotation is essential. Familiarize yourself with the clockwise rotation system, which forms an imaginary circle around the different couples.

If you find yourself without a partner during the rotations, be sure to position yourself between two pairs without someone else waiting in the same spot, and keep a distance from other waiting partners. Utilize this time to review your individual steps.

Stay active and engaged—there’s always something you can do!

EMPATHY

We must be understanding, as both parties are learning. It is not easy at the beginning and we have to be patient with our partners.
For a positive coexistence, good vibes and respect for each other are essential.
Even if you think you have learned your step and also your partner’s, focus only on your own without correcting the other person. When we call attention to our partner, far from helping him/her, the only thing we achieve is to confuse and frustrate him/her. The ideal is not to correct anyone. Try to learn your part and, when you have doubts or when the figure does not come out, consult the teacher, who will guide you in the best direction.

Don’t forget to share a smile with your dance partners.

A smile can brighten the atmosphere and motivate them to improve!

Instead of pointing out mistakes to your partners, offer a smile and acknowledge their progress. This encouragement is likely to motivate them to perform better.

Do you want to support your partner?
It’s essential not to execute a step unless they’ve signaled it for you. This ensures your partner can indicate correctly, allowing for a smooth execution. Furthermore, it helps you learn how to interpret various cues, making you better equipped to dance with partners worldwide.

Avoid dancing independently; wait to be guided!

 

PERSONAL HYGIENE

Maintaining good personal hygiene is crucial in partner dancing. Arrive at the dance session well-groomed, dressed in clean clothes, and with a pleasant fragrance.

For those who tend to sweat profusely or have a strong body odor, it’s wise to bring a change of clothes for the sake of comfort.

Caring for your breath is also important. Consuming strongly aromatic foods can be unpleasant for others. Foods such as chorizo, garlic, excessive alcohol, tobacco, onions, or even dancing on an empty stomach can lead to bad breath.

DIFERENT LEVELS

1

BEGINNERS
The course spans three months, during which you will acquire the fundamental steps required for progression in
Salsa, Bachata y Kizomba.

2

BASIC
Understanding the basic steps is essential, as they form the building blocks for creating dance figures.

3

INTERMEDIATE
We assume that the basic steps are well-mastered, allowing for smoother and faster learning.

4

ADVANCED

Our emphasis is on developing our unique style, enhancing musicality, and creating more beautiful and harmonious dances.

Avoid the mistake of fixating on learning increasingly complex combinations without first perfecting your basic steps and dancing in sync. These two aspects are the foundational pillars for rapid and successful progress.

 

  • Read the following post, “Learn to dance and feel the music“. There is a very interesting video at the end.
  • Download the following application for your mobile phone where you can interact with the different instruments involved in Salsa:
    Salsa Rythm

The finest dancer is not the one who performs the most intricate moves, but rather the one who adjusts to their partner’s skill level, ensuring they have an enjoyable and fun experience.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you usually go somewhere to dance around Málaga?2019-07-16T17:48:02+02:00

Yes, several times a month we make a meeting to go out dancing together teacher and students, so that you can practice what you have learned with your classmates.

Do I have to wait to the first day of the month to sign up?2019-07-17T00:59:25+02:00

No, you can join whenever you want, although it will be easier for you  if you did it at the beginning of the month, since that’s when we start the new combinations.

Do you have dance classes throughout the year?2019-07-17T01:01:56+02:00

Yes, we have dance classes all year round, including July, August and December.

Can you park easily at dance classes in the afternoon?2019-07-17T01:04:34+02:00

You can park easily most of the year, except August.

Is it easy to find parking at the Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba classes in the mornings?2019-07-17T01:07:00+02:00

Yes,  you can find parking at dance classes in the mornings most of the year, except for July and August.

Is the schedule of dance classes flexible?2019-07-17T01:08:34+02:00

Yes, you can attend one day in the morning and another in the afternoon, or one week in the morning and another in the afternoon. There are even students who attend every morning and every afternoon.

Should I go dressed in some specific way?2019-07-17T01:09:25+02:00

No, you can come dressed in what you feel most comfortable with.

Is it necessary to wear special shoes?2019-07-17T01:11:41+02:00

Any footwear that wraps around your ankle and has a slippery sole is good for dancing.

Must I go with a partner to Salsa, Bachata or Kizomba classes?2019-07-17T01:14:01+02:00

No, you may go without a partner, although if you bring one, would be great. We rotate partners so that everyone has the opportunity to dance.

2023-10-20T17:50:30+02:00
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