About Salsa

• August
• 10

Salsa is a dance that has been created through the expression of feelings, motion, that takes you to its world of sensation and experience. Freedom and improvisation, creativity and cooperation – these are the things that attract me to salsa. Salsa… it is as different as all of us, as the whole world…

Salsa ethics…

Following rules are not mandatory and thus may differ depending on the circumstances. Anyway, if you will follow these rules dancing life will become more simple… Some of these rules will probably look obvious, but do not forget that there are complete beginners among us. Though, even higher level dancers may find something useful. You can download these rules here

1. Common rules.
These rules are usually applied everywhere and all the time.
1.1. Inviting for a dance.
1.1.1. Invite YOURSELF. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman. But if you keep sitting in the corner waiting for someone to invite you – you risk not learning how to dance at all.
1.1.2. Invite DIFFERENT people. The more people you will dance with the more experience you will get.
1.1.3. DO NOT invite those people, who are going somewhere, or lying under a table with a satisfied smile on their face.
1.1.4. DO NOT REFUSE to dance without a really good reason. Even if the partner has just began dancing salsa, is very ugly, fat, bald, one eyed and with a wooden leg… Well… ok, in this case drop down under the table with a satisfied smile on your face. In all other cases go dancing, because your experience (and of course reputation!) is growing with every new partner you dance.
1.1.5. (In most cases relevant for women) If you can not (or you think you can not) dance exactly this type of dance, tell that to the person who invites you. But never keep this as a reason to refuse. If he wants to dance with you anyway he will lead you, if not – he will pass on to another partner.

1.2. About the dance itself.
1.2.1. Dance what you can, but not what you are still learning. All the moves and patterns should be worked out during the classes. At the clubs only styling and shines can be tried out and only if it is not disturbing the dance.
1.2.2. Try to dance as compact as possible. Keep in mind that it is not only you two are dancing out there. Or if you are the only couple dancing then don’t forget about the walls.
1.2.3. Follow the situation on the dance floor. It is priority number one for the leader, but followers should also keep in mind that a leader does not have eyes on the back of his head. Thus, ladies, if you see that your partner is about to crash into someone, stop him. The other couples will thank you for it.
1.2.4. Apologize if you run into someone. It is not difficult to do.
1.2.5. Besides all that, you should pay attention to your partner. It is not pleasant when your partner looks at something else other than you for most of the dance. The dance looks even worse when both partners look away from each other. You should dance for each other.
1.2.6. Do not interrupt a dance without super duper good reason for that. If it is the phone ringing – drop it without stopping the dance.
1.2.7. Do not interact with already dancing people, again, if you do not have a super duper good reason for doing that.
1.2.8. Be tolerant. It can be anything – leaders sometimes dance on a strange count, followers spin by themselves without your expectation, couple nearby steps on your feet. It is not necessary to pinpoint all these things (except for classes) and show how disgusted you are. The most you should do is to give him/her/them a hint after the dance, but not during the dance and definitely no need to stop dancing because of that. Remember that a negative experience is also an experience.
1.2.9. (for leaders) If you decided to dance using “many men, one woman” style, do it with experienced leaders and, of course, only if they do not mind it. By the way, no one ever asks ladies whether they want this or not, as a rule.
1.2.10. (for leaders) Try to adjust to the level of your partner. If you noticed, that after the 7th Sombrero in a row your partner does not feel/look good – do not go for the 8th one. It is better to get to a close position and give her a break.

1.3. Dancing in a hot friendly atmosphere (advices from Rose Lau)
1.3.1. It is a good idea to take an extra clothes with you if you sweat a lot.
1.3.2. If you are dripping with sweat try to avoid kissing people, of course, explaining to them why.
1.3.3. If someone insists to dance with you and your clothes are completely wet and stick to your body – show that to them so that they would have a chance to refuse.

2. Rueda
Rueda is something different from usual salsa, thus, the rules are different as well.
2.1. Common rules.
2.1.1. Caller is in charge of Rueda and thus it should be an experienced person. He should have strong voice and/or fast hands. A microphone could be also a solution.
2.1.2. It is better not to dance Rueda with an unknown group of people. Also if the level of dancing Rueda people is higher than yours do not get into it without invitation of the caller.
2.1.3. If you are the one who is organising Rueda try to find out the level of potential dancers and make sure you tell the caller this.
2.1.4. If you are invited to dance Rueda with not so well known group of people think twice…and then refuse. Just kidding  But still, it is better to think well if you are not confident about your skills to improvise new moves.
2.2. In the circle.
2.2.1. On count “one” – look at what caller shows and what he says. It is recommended to learn all his gestures and possibly be capable of reading from his lips.
2.2.2. Do not panic. The worst that you can do is to stand on the same spot. If you do not know something – repeat what other dancers do or try at least. The most important is to change the partner on time.
2.2.3. If you feel that the level of Rueda is too high for you – leave Rueda and get back to the common rules. If there is still nothing new for you, then give the caller to read the next chapter of these rules.
2.2.4. If you are about to leave Rueda, then leave with the same partner you were in the very beginning. And of course, only when you will reach her in a circle.
2.2.5. Never, not under any circumstances leave Rueda alone.
2.2.6. (for followers) If your partner is lost – jump, wave your hands, this will help you find him. (for leaders) If your partner is lost – look around you if there is anyone jumping and waving their hands? If yes – run there fast! If not – then someone is not following the previous rule. (for callers) If half of people are jumping and waving and the rest are standing and looking around trying to find someone, forget it and go grab a beer.
2.2.7. It should be decided in the beginning of Rueda who is the caller. Only the caller can pass his duties on to another dancing person. No one but the caller is allowed to call the moves. If you do not like this caller and you think you could call better – you can leave as no one is holding you.

2.3. If you are the caller.
2.3.1. Keep the level just above the weakest dancer in Rueda, because it is you who invited him.
2.3.2. Think what moves do you call. If leaders are tiny and weak then el salvaje is a bad choice. Even if there is only one such a leader better not to call for such move (look previous point).
2.3.3. Follow whole Rueda. It is hard, but it is necessary. If someone is confused, lost his/her partner, talking on the phone, fell and is not breathing – do not call for next move, give them a break.
2.3.4. Do not stop Rueda. Even when everyone has left Rueda but you and your best friend Vova (and your partners, of course), because you were keeping level too high – keep Rueda going until your best friend Vova has also left you.

3. Training classes.
3.1. Teach and learn, learn and teach. If something is bothering you go and ask your teacher. Keep an eye on your partner’s mistakes. Pinpoint those mistakes, give a tip how to avoid them. And of course, listen to what others tell you.
3.2. When teacher talks everybody should keep quiet or at least go where no one can hear you talking.
3.3. Try new moves while dancing, because repeating new moves during the classes is the key to perfection.
3.4. Remember what you have learnt. If it is hard to memorise everything get yourself a notebook or two, as I did.
3.5. (for advanced leaders) If you came to the classes of a lower level, keep their level. If you can not, then do not dance.
3.6. (for advanced couples) Try not to use beginners’ classes as a dance floor. Otherwise, instead of looking at what teacher shows them, they will watch you dancing. If you are less advanced couple than the class’ level is then at least ask teacher for permission.