Please HELP!!! Missing: Salsa mojo…

S

suitz

Changui
Missing: My salsa mojo

Answers to the name of: Salsa Mojo

Last seen in: Early November 2011

Last known whereabouts: Somewhere in North Eastern North America


Hello all,

I have lost my salsa mojo. I haven’t danced much at all for the past 2 months. Even just before this period, I was stagnating a bit – most nights out would usually be extremely underwhelming. It would always be just below-less-than-ok.

I figured that it would be a good idea to take a bit of an extended break from dancing for a while. Prior to this I had never gone more than 2 weeks without dancing… this time it has been closer to 2 months. I want to get back into the old swing and frequency of my dancing, so I’ve gone out a bit more lately… but the mojo seems to have gone.

I know that I will be rusty; I know this will improve with practice and time. But I don’t seem to feel it any more. It’s hard to explain.
I can hear the beat/count/rhythm whatever… but the body doesn’t really want to move with it. Now when I dance, it’s forced enjoyment… so I have found myself sitting out for much of the night – feeling very frustrated with myself more than anything.

As a result, I’m sure I don’t look very friendly or approachable sometimes, I’ve lost the guts and confidence of happily asking anyone. I’m becoming self-conscious that my dancing is off or looks like I'm not enjoying myself, the whole forced enjoyment thing...

It’s been such a long time since I last danced completely non-stop all night, dancing with everyone and just enjoying the natural high of dancing.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Should I perhaps cut my losses and think: ‘Hey, time to be an absolute beginner again!’
 
Maybe not expecting too much from yourself and take it slowly may help.
You might want to try to put more effort to connect with your partner rather than worry as much about your "technicality" and "performance".

Check out this video. Magna Gopal is considered by many to be the most advanced follower in the world. And look at her having a blast with that old guy and his four moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9B6WIap3pM

In my experience if you concentrate too much on being a "good" dancer you will be frustrated all day.
 
Do you attend any classes?

Have you still got good friends on your local scene?

Do you involve yourself in anything more than 'dance' when out at a social?

Have you tried visiting other scenes/other parties to get some variety?

Do you like the music in itself, and not just as a dance soundtrack?

Just a few questions, may stimulate some useful thoughts :)
 
tresto said:
Check out this video. Magna Gopal is considered by many to be the most advanced follower in the world. And look at her having a blast with that old guy and his four moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9B6WIap3pM

In my experience if you concentrate too much on being a "good" dancer you will be frustrated all day.
Click to expand...

Oh my god, that video is awesome, but if that's only four moves, than I must only have one!
 
Oh yeah and the stuff wildbill said I completely support.
Love of the music and having friends that you meet either at the socials or classes is essential too...
 
I've had a fairly similar experience before, so maybe my observations might be of some use to you. I "went off" salsa for a few months and even going to a congress couldn't inspire me back in to it. Previously I'd been through periods of a few weeks when I hadn't wanted to dance but the pull of salsa had always come back to me so I assumed this was just one of those times. However after a few months even I started to wonder if I'd ever get my mojo back.

I think the key for me was finding somewhere which played music that I enjoyed dancing to. Otherwise, as you say, you're having to fake enthusiasm and that's hard to keep up. The music was what inspired me to start salsa in the first place and after years of experiencing below average nights, I've come to the conclusion that it's one of the most important factors for me. Everyone's taste in music is different so I had to search around different venues/djs to find the ones I liked the most.

Also, dancing with fun partners who don't take it too seriously helps take the pressure off, and you can dance without worrying what it looks like. I sometimes get self concious about how my dancing looks and its really nice to let go and just have fun. Or alternatively, dancing with someone who is above your level and being able to keep up can give you the confidence boost you need.

I hope you get your mojo back soon!
 
Tell your inner jack-russell that you are not permitted to dance any salsa for two months. See how it bounces back THEN!
 
sweavo said:
Tell your inner jack-russell that you are not permitted to dance any salsa for two months. See how it bounces back THEN!
Click to expand...

He already took two months off. What do they say about people who suggest trying the same thing and expecting different results..

Personally I don't believe in taking time off unless you've really OD'd and have tried every other alternative first.
 
suitz said:
Does anyone have any advice on this?
Click to expand...

Agree with Bill.

Ask yourself, what are you looking for when you go out? What would make your perfect night? List those things.

Is it cute girls regardless if they are beginners?
Is it dancing with a much better follower?
Is it music that just gets you in the mood that you have to find someone to dance with?
Is it the excitement of dancing with new people?
Is it the challenge of learning something new and then trying it out?
Is it the right kind of party atmosphere?

Then ask yourself what you don't like... and list those.

Now aim to avoid the don't likes and gravitate towards the likes in any given night. Go to another venue if you have to, to find what you like.

Try some beer too and make some friends. That usually helps. Particularly with the nerves/enjoying yourself thing.

Aim to get into a flow. As soon as you come in, go shake hands with the DJ. Get a beer then find someone to dance with straight away (assuming you like the music). Keep the flow going. Don't stop or sit down. If necessary (like if u don't like a track) boogie on the edge of the dance floor drinking your beer and chatting to people. I generally don't dance to music I don't like because it can make you lose the flow of the night.

Do you play Salsa music at home that they play in the club? Give your mojo a kick-start at home before you head out. Get used to the music. Dance to it at home. Find the tracks you really enjoy that make you want to go out and dance. Put your favourite tracks on just before you head out. If you like some tracks the DJ plays but don't know what they are ask him to give you a list you can look up on YouTube.
 
azzey said:
He already took two months off. What do they say about people who suggest trying the same thing and expecting different results..

Personally I don't believe in taking time off unless you've really OD'd and have tried every other alternative first.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Im a firm believer that taking time away from salsa does not bring your mojo back and in fact often makes people feel worse because when they come back they are rusty and dont dance as well as before they left.
 
I would suggest the reason is someting underlying in your dance, from what you've posted in the past I would ask

Is it that you are sick to death of doing the same moves ad infinitum? Do you find your dances are unsatisfactory?

This is something I often struggle with, If I dont add 4 or 5 new moves to my repetroire in a month I become very aggitated and bored with my dancing. Things I do to alleviate, I find by varying for example the number of spins I put in a particular move (either for myself or the follow) can make the move feel different and breaks up some of the monotomy. Or Forget moves for a while and concentrate on putting in the little cheeky extra's, the things that make a girl smile. sometimes that little fooling around can double your enjoyment of a dance. Im talking about the sort of things you see good dancers do that are never taught in lessons.

Is it that you are approaching a social as 'practise time' rather than going to simply dance.

Im guilty of this. some days i go for the sole purpose of practicing new moves, aside from keeping timing correct im not even trying to dance to the music. If your subconciously always using this approach your enjoyment will be lessened, 'practice' needs to be balanced with 'playtime'.

Is it that you are travelling around so much that you are not able to form any friendships at salsa

Not sure what you could do about this one

Is it that you are finding it difficult to make a emotional connection with the music?

When you first start learning and realise you need to work on your rhythm, timing and the beat etc, you may well put in a lot of time listening to salsa outside of classes. However as you get better you may feel less of an urge to keep it up. by pushing yourself to listen to the music more and start looking at the finer detail, learn to love the little intricacies of the music and imagine how you might modify/slow down/speed up some of your moves to reflect it. Nothing feels better than putting it into practice and finding that it works!
 
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