I see a lot of students come and go into the first salsa class. Many of whom come for fun, a new experience or because they were directed by a friend or spouse. Standing before a fresh group, it's easy to see the tension in everyone's eyes from past dance traumas, comments from peers or the infamous Dancing With The Stars Syndrome. No one, even those with trained, are going to jump out on the dance floor ready for every salsa contest. It's just not the way. Learning salsa is like a language; you have to use it everyday and learn from mistakes. It takes a certain stick-to-it attitude and determination that makes a confident dancer and one who is fun to dance with!
The learning curve in salsa comes from being open to new experiences and vulnerable to allow yourself to fall, have fun and listen to the details. Think of it like learning to walk..you are going to fall and forget what you learned five minutes ago. So, here are some suggestions.
1. Approach learning salsa with a calm attitude and not try to expect so much in the beginning. That way you won't set yourself up for failure.
2. Listen to every detail from the teacher or video. Salsa is not about the patterns, but expressing yourself to the music and your partner. In that way you will find a greater achievement from the dance and probably enjoy it more.
3. Become friends with the people in class. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses and go out and show your stuff. It's the social community that keeps it going.
4. Be proud of who you are as an individual without comparing body shape, background and experience.
5. Listen to salsa and love the music. That is what it is all about.
6. Don't get discouraged if you mess up or forget a move. Come to class with an intention, bring a camera or notebook. Oh! did I forget to mention: Come to class!!
7. Ask lots of questions and never say you know it all because, well, you don't.:) I am always learning.
8. Create goals for yourself and get others involved to help you.
9. Ask questions to the members of your local salsa band about the music and instruments so you know what you are dancing to.
10. Salsa a day will keep the doctor away. IF you dance or do something salsa related everyday, the enjoyment will grow. Don't come to class only once a week and expect great things. Take all that you can.
Never give up your opportunity to learn so keep coming to class, relax and enjoy the salsa.
Salsa Love,
Diana
Friday, November 7, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
October Post: Practice
Learning salsa comes with expectations of becoming a fantastic dancer in a short amount of time. It's difficult, especially for men to live up to expectations on the dance floor. Every individual will embrace salsa for their own reasons but no matter the list, practice is the key element when it comes to improvement, understanding and connection on the floor. And, of course it means having more fun. Here are some tips to practice and keeping the salsa journey going...
1. Be patient with yourself. Don't expect to be the best dancer on the floor the first time you are out there.
2. Come to class with intentions of how you want to improve. Bring a camera or notebook to remember the moves.
3. Listen to the music.
4. Study videos of salsa dancers.
5. Find a partner in class or in the community
And....come to the KamaSalsa practice session every Saturday from 2-3pm. For a small fee of $5, you can bring a partner and work on new or old patterns, shines, alternative Latin dances. I will be there to facilitate and answer any questions.
No matter, keep dancing!
Diana
1. Be patient with yourself. Don't expect to be the best dancer on the floor the first time you are out there.
2. Come to class with intentions of how you want to improve. Bring a camera or notebook to remember the moves.
3. Listen to the music.
4. Study videos of salsa dancers.
5. Find a partner in class or in the community
And....come to the KamaSalsa practice session every Saturday from 2-3pm. For a small fee of $5, you can bring a partner and work on new or old patterns, shines, alternative Latin dances. I will be there to facilitate and answer any questions.
No matter, keep dancing!
Diana
Monday, July 7, 2008
Salsa Musicality: The Hunt For the Beat
The Musicality of Salsa: The Hunt for The Beat
The Salsa Hunt seems like an endless task to achieve the ultimate dance experience: from finding a dance partner, the right class, the right shoes, the right place to dance…and the list continues. See what we do for a chance to dance? But it’s the Hunt for The Salsa Beat that drives the dancers back for more. The salsa energy is the reason.
Observing two dancers connecting on the dance floor is spellbinding especially if they create a seem less flow of patterns and styling. Take the same couple and if one is off-beat….the entire dance is awkward. No matter the pattern, finding the beat and following it is the key to connection on the dance floor.
Finding the Beat:
First start with knowing what kind of salsa is danced in class or on the dance floor (salsa on 1, salsa on 2 or cumbia). The Salsa On 1 foundation comes from a system of a 4/4 timing (1 2 3 4 then 5 6 7 8) following two measures. The dancer breaks with a stronger accent on the first beat of the measure on the 1 and 5 while transitioning the weight on the 4 and 8. This melodic rhythm repeats with various musical elements, such as, clave, piano, hooks, conga tumbao, bass rhythm and trumpet phrases. A dancer should express all beats within the two measures and not stop for the midbreak. This causes a missed beat or directs the dancer into a faster or slower tempo.
Here are some suggestions
1. Start the dance by counting 5,6,7,8 to bring you to the first break.
2. Listen for the downbeat or clave.
3. Practice listening everyday. I listened to Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra everday in my car. Make yours a concert! Soon everyone around you will join in.
4. Develop an ear for various tempos to distinguish the beat from slow to fast.
5. Watch and study seasoned dancers as they express the beat.
6. Keep an inner count, but don’t count out loud or loose your breath!
7. Pick an instrument in the band to follow. More about the instruments of a salsa band in the next article.
8. Develop a library of favorite salsa songs. Here are just a few:
a. Sonora Carruseles Heavy Salsa. I always play Micaela
b. Susie Hansen-The Salsa Never Ends-La Salsa Nunca Se Acaba
c. Salsa Fresca compilation-all the songs are great for beginner salseros.
d. Rough Guide to Salsa volume 1 and 2
e. Old School Salsa Classics compilation filled with hard driving salsa rhythms.
f. El Gran Combo-a classic band from Puerto Rico and a fav amoung many musicians.
Your salsa journey should never end. Keep listening and finding out more about what you like and don’t like in a salsa song and make it yours. Listen to it every morning and then ask a friend to dance to it. Your salsa will never be the same.
I’ll be covering new topics in Latin dance every other week for your salsa hunting and gathering needs. Let me know your experiences, questions or concerns. It will make the hunt a lot easier.
Check out www.kamasalsa.com for all class information.
Salsa Love,
Diana
The Salsa Hunt seems like an endless task to achieve the ultimate dance experience: from finding a dance partner, the right class, the right shoes, the right place to dance…and the list continues. See what we do for a chance to dance? But it’s the Hunt for The Salsa Beat that drives the dancers back for more. The salsa energy is the reason.
Observing two dancers connecting on the dance floor is spellbinding especially if they create a seem less flow of patterns and styling. Take the same couple and if one is off-beat….the entire dance is awkward. No matter the pattern, finding the beat and following it is the key to connection on the dance floor.
Finding the Beat:
First start with knowing what kind of salsa is danced in class or on the dance floor (salsa on 1, salsa on 2 or cumbia). The Salsa On 1 foundation comes from a system of a 4/4 timing (1 2 3 4 then 5 6 7 8) following two measures. The dancer breaks with a stronger accent on the first beat of the measure on the 1 and 5 while transitioning the weight on the 4 and 8. This melodic rhythm repeats with various musical elements, such as, clave, piano, hooks, conga tumbao, bass rhythm and trumpet phrases. A dancer should express all beats within the two measures and not stop for the midbreak. This causes a missed beat or directs the dancer into a faster or slower tempo.
Here are some suggestions
1. Start the dance by counting 5,6,7,8 to bring you to the first break.
2. Listen for the downbeat or clave.
3. Practice listening everyday. I listened to Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra everday in my car. Make yours a concert! Soon everyone around you will join in.
4. Develop an ear for various tempos to distinguish the beat from slow to fast.
5. Watch and study seasoned dancers as they express the beat.
6. Keep an inner count, but don’t count out loud or loose your breath!
7. Pick an instrument in the band to follow. More about the instruments of a salsa band in the next article.
8. Develop a library of favorite salsa songs. Here are just a few:
a. Sonora Carruseles Heavy Salsa. I always play Micaela
b. Susie Hansen-The Salsa Never Ends-La Salsa Nunca Se Acaba
c. Salsa Fresca compilation-all the songs are great for beginner salseros.
d. Rough Guide to Salsa volume 1 and 2
e. Old School Salsa Classics compilation filled with hard driving salsa rhythms.
f. El Gran Combo-a classic band from Puerto Rico and a fav amoung many musicians.
Your salsa journey should never end. Keep listening and finding out more about what you like and don’t like in a salsa song and make it yours. Listen to it every morning and then ask a friend to dance to it. Your salsa will never be the same.
I’ll be covering new topics in Latin dance every other week for your salsa hunting and gathering needs. Let me know your experiences, questions or concerns. It will make the hunt a lot easier.
Check out www.kamasalsa.com for all class information.
Salsa Love,
Diana
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Salsa 4 Lunch Program
I am pleased to present the Salsa 4 Lunch corporate programs. This program is designed to bring Latin dance and it's benefits directly to employees. Not only is dancing a form of fitness and life balance, but it transcends into interpersonal communication, improved moral and community. The best part-it's easy for you and a blast for your employees. Here's more....
Salsa 4 Lunch Your employees can enjoy the benefits of Latin dancing and culture in a fun, energetic way! Now, Diana Hoffman from KamaSalsa brings her years of teaching experience to your facility or off site with classes and Latin dance samplings. It's so easy; everything is done for you! The class includes salsa, merengue, cha cha and bachata in a line dance format. This is not a partner dance class, but an inviting, casual format for your employees to learn Latin dance and have fun doing it!
Here are just some of the benefits of Salsa 4 Lunch:
-Create a positive morale among employees
-Develop a forum for healthier, happier work/life balance
-Get employees involved in cultural community events
-Open employees up to diversity
Salsa 4 Lunch Meetings: Brain storming and training can be hard work! Get your employees energy up and running by adding salsa to your meeting. The format is a basic salsa class instructed in a fun and casual environment. In addition to movement, salsa also increase listening and interpersonal communication skills in an innovative way. 30 minute format, but can vary depending upon the meeting.
After Work Events: Salsa can add sizzle to any after work get together. Simply add food and you are in for an energetic, groovin' time for your employees. On site or at Boost Meeting.
Price Structure:Salsa 4 Lunch Sampler on site-half hour introduction workout, meeting or after work party. $150Salsa 4 Lunch on site-one hour workout class, meeting or after work party. $275 Salsa 4 Lunch off site at Boost Meeting on Reading Rd Downtown Cincinnati. Call for pricing www.boostmeeting.com Package rates are available: six pre paid full hour sessions. $1500 (usually $1650).
Call Diana for more information with any questions!
Contact Diana Hoffman 513-324-1648
diana@kamasalsa.comwww.kamasalsa.com www.salsa4teens.comsalsa4lunch
Salsa 4 Lunch Your employees can enjoy the benefits of Latin dancing and culture in a fun, energetic way! Now, Diana Hoffman from KamaSalsa brings her years of teaching experience to your facility or off site with classes and Latin dance samplings. It's so easy; everything is done for you! The class includes salsa, merengue, cha cha and bachata in a line dance format. This is not a partner dance class, but an inviting, casual format for your employees to learn Latin dance and have fun doing it!
Here are just some of the benefits of Salsa 4 Lunch:
-Create a positive morale among employees
-Develop a forum for healthier, happier work/life balance
-Get employees involved in cultural community events
-Open employees up to diversity
Salsa 4 Lunch Meetings: Brain storming and training can be hard work! Get your employees energy up and running by adding salsa to your meeting. The format is a basic salsa class instructed in a fun and casual environment. In addition to movement, salsa also increase listening and interpersonal communication skills in an innovative way. 30 minute format, but can vary depending upon the meeting.
After Work Events: Salsa can add sizzle to any after work get together. Simply add food and you are in for an energetic, groovin' time for your employees. On site or at Boost Meeting.
Price Structure:Salsa 4 Lunch Sampler on site-half hour introduction workout, meeting or after work party. $150Salsa 4 Lunch on site-one hour workout class, meeting or after work party. $275 Salsa 4 Lunch off site at Boost Meeting on Reading Rd Downtown Cincinnati. Call for pricing www.boostmeeting.com Package rates are available: six pre paid full hour sessions. $1500 (usually $1650).
Call Diana for more information with any questions!
Contact Diana Hoffman 513-324-1648
diana@kamasalsa.comwww.kamasalsa.com www.salsa4teens.comsalsa4lunch
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