Learn to dance
Social dancing opens doors to many wonderful moments and is an opportunity to get to know new people. When you want to hit the salsa clubs in New York or the bachata scene in Chicago, then get started with your dancing now.Â
Learning to dance is a journey, starting with mastering the basics. And the basic is music. Find out more about the different styles here. Music is crucial to understanding the rhythm and getting your footwork in right. This process usually takes 1 to several months to get the basics right if you practice twice a week. You can speed that up with more intensive schedule. Reaching an intermediate level takes some more months and most importantly, it takes going to socials and events to dance with people outside the classroom.Â
As you progress, social dancing becomes more about partner work. The essence of dances like salsa, bachata, and kizomba lies in the connection between partners. Remember, you don’t have to be the best technical dancer; what matters more is being playful, considerate and creating a fun experience together with your partner. Doing so, it is also ok to change the roles and learn both leading and following which can greatly enhance your skills.
Which style of dance do you learn and what do you want to learn? In terms of salsa, there is an uptick of on2 in Asia and North America, while there are also many enthusiasts of Cuban style salsa. Cali style is a very special style that is only danced in a few places. And how about learning a bit of kizomba or bachata.
Over time, we will update this with more articles and information to accompany you on this journey.
Learning basics
Find out how long it takes to dance salsa and why partner work is the most important point in learning to dance.