Passion in your dance....

P

peachexploration

From Salsawild.com

It is a terrible tragedy to see a couple dance “technically” very well with many beautiful dips and turns, while lacking the critical ingredient of “Passion”. It is this essence of passion that can turn an ordinary salsero or salsera into an extraordinary dancer. Likewise, the lack of passion can take someone with extraordinary potential and make him or her ordinary at best. Many times, when I am teaching a couple, they see me do many different turns and they want to learn them right now! Although enthusiasm is always welcome it must be focused and directed in order to be constructive. It is at this point that I teach them one of them most important lessons of all, “extraordinary salsa happens between the dips and turns”. It is an energy that you reflect from the music. If the music is upbeat and energetic then you will reflect that through the enthusiasm and high-energy moves. If the music is romantic then you will reflect the emotion of the music through a soft lead, romantic turns, smooth sensual dips and passionate expression. Gentlemen, it is a big misconception out there that you need to do a lot of flashy moves to impress the salseras: this is simply not true. Often times those flashy moves can stress the salsera more than impress her. To become an extraordinary Salsero, present the emotion of the music into the dance and makes her feel secure in your arms. Without “passion” your salsa can never attain extraordinary status no matter how many moves, turns, shines and dips you learn.

What do you think are key elements in the paragraph if any at all?
 
I have been thinking about this post, my question is, where should the source of passion come from? Is it the 2 individuals love of the dance, or passion that 2 dancers feel for each other to make the salsa passion seem real. But then again if u dance with loads of people in a club all that u dont know can u really achieve that passion everytime.

I have to admit that i dont dance with alot of strangers anymore, as i tend to dance with my b/f or with people that we go in a group to the clubs with. Maybe passion exists when i dance because i feel a kind of passion for my b/f, but im not sure. Sometimes i think passion is hard to define. Dancers that dance well 'technically' are impressive, but so are others that dont have as much technique but maybe have the sabor others don't.

Im not sure if my reply really relates well to that article, hence my hesitation to reply, but those are my thoughts on the subject of salsa+passion.
 
Hi Salseralon. Nothing wrong with your post at all. We're all "sharing" our thoughts and will hopefully learn from "each other". :D

Picture this nightclub scene. There is this one couple in the middle who had just met 3 secs before they agree to dance together. They're on the floor dancing and all around them is this salsa frenzy. All dancers around them are fabulous. Dipping and shining and spinning everywhere. The technique is absolutely flawless with every single dancer that's on the floor. However, there is that couple in the middle who is also technically sound but no dips, a few shines, maybe a couple of double turns here and there but guess what? They are the most engaging couple on the dance floor. In tuned with the music and each other. Moves as smooth and precise as anyone could imagine. Almost as if the both of them are just floating on the dancing floor. So much to the point that you forget the other dancers are there. Why is this? Well, I think for one, it's the interpretation of the music first and then each other. :) So, to answer your question, I feel the passion starts with the music first. :)

Anyone else?
 
I take it a bit further than the author from salsawild.com to explain dance and passion. I see as the auther is being nice not really saying what is truly meant for the sake of PC.

Dancing without passion is but bodies in motion, for motion to become dance, passion must be present.

Passion lives in the depths of the soul, the music acts as the trigger that enables a dancing couple to paint a masterpiece.

Any move, regardless of flawless execution, without passion will always remain a universe away from transforming into a masterpiece.

While an OK move endulged in passion creates a masterpiece from the ordinary.

Love yourself, not in mind, but in soul and see passion root from anything you do! Know the self is the......
 
peachexploration said:
Gentlemen, it is a big misconception out there that you need to do a lot of flashy moves to impress the salseras: this is simply not true. Often times those flashy moves can stress the salsera more than impress her. To become an extraordinary Salsero, present the emotion of the music into the dance and makes her feel secure in your arms.
Click to expand...
So true -- guys, take note! :)

salseralon said:
I have been thinking about this post, my question is, where should the source of passion come from? Is it the 2 individuals love of the dance, or passion that 2 dancers feel for each other to make the salsa passion seem real. But then again if u dance with loads of people in a club all that u dont know can u really achieve that passion everytime.
Click to expand...
For me the source of passion is primarily my love of dance. Then the music decides *how* I express my passion. I start dancing, looking straight at whoever I'm dancing with (I dance with anyone and everyone, whether it's a friend or stranger) and as I do so I channel all my passion into the dance and look for response from the partner. Sometimes I get nothing back (some guys wouldn't even look back at me :( ), sometimes the guy seems to get the wrong signal and decides that I fancy him :?, but there are times when the leader meets my passion with his, and there's nothing more exciting when that happens. These moments are what feed my passion for dance, and thus the circle continues...
 
MacMoto said:
peachexploration said:
Gentlemen, it is a big misconception out there that you need to do a lot of flashy moves to impress the salseras: this is simply not true. Often times those flashy moves can stress the salsera more than impress her. To become an extraordinary Salsero, present the emotion of the music into the dance and makes her feel secure in your arms.
Click to expand...
So true -- guys, take note! :)...
Click to expand...
Totally agree, Mac. :D

You know, I just thought of something. Anyone remember the following?
borikenSalsero said:
.......
- Relax the body and mind then embrace with your soul.
- Mold palms to the contour of the lady's body part you are about to touch.
- Before touching her for a lead, think of touching a sleeping baby and at the same time attempting not to wake him/her up.
- The energy to create that lead starts at the core, think of a rush of energy coming from the core and then gently transfering at the point of the lead into her, causing her to react to the subtlest of touch.
- Look into her eyes just before that lead creating a sense that all your intentions of making her yours will come together when the lead gets there.
- breath profoundly when there is a deep eye connection.
- If not looking into her eyes at time of lead, then make sure you look into her eyes when she is finished and embrace her with your eyes and most caring touch you can.
- Elongate the touch of hands.
- Breath using the stomach.

and on and on and on...
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I would say the above by Boriken will certainly help. :D ;)
 
I think this is a really tough one. When I dance I love expressing the passion and the sensuality that I feel inside. But, it isn't automatic with everyone. Sometimes it's easier to do with certain people than others. Some dancers just don't allow themselves to get into that space. I don't think they feel secure enough with themselves on the dancefloor to express that side of them. I think some people are just not used to allowing themselves to express themselves that way. And, so when I dance with them I don't feel safe or okay dancing passionately or sensually with them. There are some hot dancers I meet and in an instance I feel they are okay with it, dancing that way. So, when we dance, what happens is just sheer magic. Sometimes, when I look back, I'm thinking, I can't believe I did that with him. But, on the other hand, it was amazing!
 
It's primordial for lack of a better word.

Can you dance the same way Tito Puente plays Timbales?

Have you ever noticed those crazy faces he made?

That's Passion!

Or how about this...

If you catch yourself making the same faces you make when having sex while dancing salsa...

THAT'S PASSION.
 
Re: It's primordial for lack of a better word.

irmaxsalsa said:
If you catch yourself making the same faces you make when having sex while dancing salsa...
Click to expand...
How can you tell what faces I'm making under the gimp mask :D
 
The mask

Just have to say...

I look into the eyes/face of my follower when dancing, not down at my feet ever, not off at the crowd. I especially like a certain person that looks into my eyes the whole time when she is dancing with me. We smile at one another and are not flirting. I like that "connection" that we share when we are dancing.

To me, a follower that glances down at their feet or off to the side destroys any passion in the dance. I was always taught that everything about partner dancing is the connection between the couples. I am supposed to protect, encourage and make my partner look good.

For the duration of the dance, she is my world. If reciprocated, that is passion for me....

-****
 
my favorite dances are when I'm feeling very connected to my lead and we are moving together and enjoying the dance, not a lot of turns, spins and so on....I do not enjoy dancing with one of my friends who insists on pattern after pattern after pattern....I feel like we are executing moves and nothing more! what is a nice way to convey that I enjoy less patterning?
 
Hmmm, I like the turn patterns. I get bored, think I'm boring my partner if I repeat any patterns in a dance. People have said it's amazing the number of moves I know, that they don't know what I'm going to do next.

Yet ... last week I repeatedly danced close and slow with a woman I find very attractive. I "turned it on" - seriously wound up the seduction factor and there was (one form of) passion in our dance :oops: :oops: :oops:

So, I'd have to agree that passion does not equal skill.
 
""Yet ... last week I repeatedly danced close and slow with a woman I find very attractive. I "turned it on" - seriously wound up the seduction factor and there was (one form of) passion in our dance "


now this is what I call dancing!!!!
 
DeeplyDippy said:
...So, I'd have to agree that passion does not equal skill.
Click to expand...

I agree DD. You can be technically flawless but if you're passion for dance doesn't come through, then basically you're just a robot mechanically moving through the steps or patterns.
 
peachexploration said:
From Salsawild.com

It is a terrible tragedy to see a couple dance “technically” very well with many beautiful dips and turns, while lacking the critical ingredient of “Passion”. It is this essence of passion that can turn an ordinary salsero or salsera into an extraordinary dancer. Likewise, the lack of passion can take someone with extraordinary potential and make him or her ordinary at best. Many times, when I am teaching a couple, they see me do many different turns and they want to learn them right now! Although enthusiasm is always welcome it must be focused and directed in order to be constructive. It is at this point that I teach them one of them most important lessons of all, “extraordinary salsa happens between the dips and turns”. It is an energy that you reflect from the music. If the music is upbeat and energetic then you will reflect that through the enthusiasm and high-energy moves. If the music is romantic then you will reflect the emotion of the music through a soft lead, romantic turns, smooth sensual dips and passionate expression. Gentlemen, it is a big misconception out there that you need to do a lot of flashy moves to impress the salseras: this is simply not true. Often times those flashy moves can stress the salsera more than impress her. To become an extraordinary Salsero, present the emotion of the music into the dance and makes her feel secure in your arms. Without “passion” your salsa can never attain extraordinary status no matter how many moves, turns, shines and dips you learn.

What do you think are key elements in the paragraph if any at all?
Click to expand...

This is so true. There is a very famous salsero in the US that has about 6 turn patterns, but he dances with so much passion that he is known as one of the best leads in the world.
 
Great post Peach. Being relatively new to Salsa I can say with confidence that at this stage my passion outways my ability. What you are talking about though I can relate to 100%. I sometimes wonder why you only find yourself looking at some couples for a few seconds even though they are doing all the moves whereas another couple will have you glued just because one of them does a particular step or the other happens to add in their own flavour. Sabor. That's the right word isn't it?

I was at a social and had danced with one of my favourite partners and various others including a mature Salsero of about 5 years or so experience. A track came on and I saw her perk up. I could tell she really liked the track and just had to dance to it. I've never noticed this in anyone that isn't a class regular before so it was kind of refreshing to see. Anyway, as we'd danced before I waited to see if anyone approached her; when they didn't I came up to her and put my hand out gesturing towards the dancefloor.

Peach, that turned out to be the best dances I've had yet. Everything seemed to come together. We were expressing ourselves with the music as the guide, slowing down when the track was subtle, going for it when the track was alive, It was just yeah! Now she has been dancing for roughly about 5 years so I'm sure she has had faaaar better dances but for me that was only the second time I've had a dance like that at this level of experience. We had danced before but this time I didn't feel like I had to try and impress her. Maybe this is due to having more experience and higher confidence than prior nights, or maybe it was down to having a more relaxed attitude, who knows?

If this is what you are talking about in regards to the subject of passion then all I can say is, yes please! :) What is great, is that these dances remind you exactly why you started learning in the first place! Maybe it is best that these dances don't happen all the time as it gives you something to look forward too. It motivates you to ask strangers to dance, seeing if they might be the one to surprise you that night or perhaps when you get comfortable enough with each other to let go after a few dances together.

I just love dancing! 5000+ years and we still find new ways to enjoy it. I must say one thing. Saleras are dangerous. You could so easily use your Salsa powers for evil on guys that love girls who can dance. Stay on the light side of the force, meddle with the dark side at your own risk. :)
 
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