“Green” Salsa Dancers

By SalsaSteph

Everyone goes through the same process, no matter how well they dance. I’m writing about this so salsa dancers realize that everyone, even their idols, have gone through the same challenges. Hopefully, you’ll realize that you’re not the only one suffering from salsa pains! Don’t let these challenges discourage you from dancing!

So… your friends took you out to a Latin club and you’ve made a new discovery: Salsa dancing! It seems so fun! So hot! So sassy! The guys are spinning the girls, there’s fast and fancy footwork, there’s attitude, and the dips are so sexy. Ok, so you are overwhelmed by the excitement, and realize there’s a lot to learn, but it sure seems worth it!

Do these sound like your first impressions?

• “I could never do this.”

• “Wow, it’s going to take me forever to get to that level.”

• “I am soooo intimidated by these good dancers. Even if I get the courage to ask the good dancers to dance, they said no to me all night long. Do I stink or something?”

• “I’d rather drink and watch the dancers.”

• I’m too old to get into this. This is for young people.

• “I’ve never taken a dance class. I’ll make a fool out of myself.”

• “I’m not Black or Latino so forget it, I never had rhythm anyway.”

• “It looks like fun…I wonder where I can take dance classes? You probably need a partner, which I don’t have.”

Get over yourself! Everyone starts and learns, and progresses, and pretty soon you’ll be the object of other newcomers’ fascination!

So…what are you waiting for? Go for it! Enroll in a salsa dancing course! Go Dance!

“No matter what level of your ability, you have more potential than you can develop in a lifetime.”

~ John Mckay