Home
Intro | History | To start | Understanding | Recommendation
| INTRO |  |
| |
Salsa, like other couple dance styles is communication between man and woman - just as in life. As in life, dance has no limits. I do not want to write much about the history and meaning of dance and its positive influence on humans - I think many books were written about this topic by more educated authors. I would like to lead your attention to all those beautiful colors painted by the shiny Latin rhythms; colors that bring joy, happiness and relaxation to so many people.
| HISTORY | |
| |
Salsa is a mixture of traditional African, Cuban and other Latin American rhythms, which expanded from the Caribbean islands, like Cuba and Puerto Rico, to New York during the migration waves between the 40's and 70's of the 20th century. It is unclear if salsa originated from Cuba or Puerto Rico. Salsa, as we dance it today, is derived from Cuba son, but was influenced by other Cuban dances like, Mambo, Guaracha, Changui, Rumba, Yamba, Comprasa, etc. Salsa absorbed some swing elements as well.
Anyone can dance salsa and one does not have to know any other dance to start learning it. What is much more important is a good mood and joy from the motion.
TO START | |
| |
I would like to share with you some experience I have gained during the years I have danced salsa. I would be happy if it makes your entrance to the world of salsa easier and smoother. All the movements are relaxed and the dance is natural.
| Man | - | leads the woman |
| Woman | - | follows the lead |
| Man | - | dances only for her |
| Woman | - | dances with him and for him |
| Man | - | shows and offers |
| Woman | - | accepts |
| Man | - | uses thinking |
| Woman | - | uses female intuition |
| Man | - | plans which variation to use. The number of variations is unlimited, which is exciting for both. |
| Woman | - | concentrates on the man's leading. Usually his left hand leads her right hand. The leading is accompanied by leading impulses. |
| Man | - | has the ability to lead (develops with experience) |
| Woman | - | has the ability to be led (develops with experience) |
| Man | - | concentrates on the names of the variations in teachers instructions, or watches his moves |
| Woman | - | reacts on her partner's leading. Many experienced dancers do not know most of the names of the variations and do not know how to dance them without leading. However result is harmony. |
| Man + Woman | - | harmony, fusion, oneness ... |
The partners are switched during the lesson thus gaining experience from each other. Therefore you can come to the lessons even without a partner.
| UNDERSTANDING | |
| |
I would like to explain to you the levels of understanding in this paragraph. Of course they are not directives - they are based on experiences of people who have been dancing for some time. A level of understanding is not attained by how long you have been dancing or the level of the course you are attending, it is attained through an individual knowledge of dancing and the salsero's feeling.
| I. | I do the steps and variations technically and automatically. I can recognize the complex rhythm of the Latin American music. Dude, it ain't easy ... |
| II. | I am dancing! Yeehaaa! My movements are more relaxed. I can concentrate on the steps. I am starting to feel the rhythm. |
| III. | Dancing is fun. I already know what dancing self-esteem is. I enjoy dancing, but I still sometimes have minor problems with the rhythm. |
| IV. | All movements are natural to me. I can start creating my own variations, I feel the rhythm naturally and I do not have to learn new variations. I see them - I know them. |
| V. | I do not dance salsa anymore - I am living it. I create my own unique movement, I am aware of how salsa is blended with life. We can learn salsa our whole life. |
| RECOMMENDATION | |
| |
10 out of 10 doctors recommend salsa as the best relaxation and best medication for a good mood:
| MUDr. Gul Shaikh, Motol Hospital Praha MUDr. Jaromir Vaclav Duchna, CSc., Salsa juvenile clinic, Praha MUDr. Pavel Vacek, CSc., Salsa juvenile clinic, Praha RNDr. Jan Svojanovsky, National hospital Luziny, Cuba step dept. MUDr. Suzuki Kitamori, Tokio Municipal Sarusa Dansu Hospital Ing. Vit Spisek, national treasure, Hospital Cernosice MUDr. Khushi Mehboob, 1st Salsa Hospital of Pakistan MUDr. Andrea Mirosnikova, Charing Cross Hospital, London MUDr. Katerina Papousková, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Praha MUDr. Stefani Ioannou, Physiotherapist, Nicosia Home |