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
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:
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.
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
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.
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
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
1BEGINNERS
The course spans three months, during which you will acquire the fundamental steps required for progression in Salsa, Bachata y Kizomba.
BASIC
Understanding the basic steps is essential, as they form the building blocks for creating dance figures.
INTERMEDIATE
We assume that the basic steps are well-mastered, allowing for smoother and faster learning.
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.
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
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.
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.
Yes, we have dance classes all year round, including July, August and December.
You can park easily most of the year, except August.
Yes, you can find parking at dance classes in the mornings most of the year, except for July and August.
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.
No, you can come dressed in what you feel most comfortable with.
Any footwear that wraps around your ankle and has a slippery sole is good for dancing.
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.