Way to go Disarm
I’ve found that when you push your comfort zone in that way, it becomes easier to dance under “normal” circumstances.
Also, if you often go to the same place and you are a bit social, it’s very likely that sooner than after you’ll make new acquaintances/friends there.
Interesting thread..
So I'm the only one left - some people think I'm 'very brave' for going to new classes where no-one knows me, but I'd just be sitting at home on my own if I didn't!
On another note, I would like to update the journal, as some interesting things have happened since last entry
Thanks to a few consecutive good experiences (first one was the last entry), I think I have improved a lot my mindset, as I now know from first hand that I can have fun dances with both beginners and more advanced follows.
This has been very important, as in a short time span, the good days and the bad days have flipped – as opposite from one month ago, now the good and fun days are the norm and the bad ones are the exception.
Based from our experiences, it seems that these bad days tend to occur whenever we:
a) wait too much to dance, which usually leaves us intimidated (because we start watching other dancers, or there is no one in the club, etc.)
b) have been in a previous workshop which is either way more advanced than our current level, or from another dance style totally different than ours.
As for what I think have been the biggest points in this improving, apart from those good experiences, I’ve been alternating lead/follow roles when practicing with my brother and another good friend, and I also spend now more time social dancing (I try to go at least 2 times each week, often 3 times).
OTOH, we have now made friends with a group of regular salseras than are in the upper levels of Cuban Salsa, and almost every week we have the opportunity to have a few dances with some of the most advanced followers in the club (they are also very friendly and encouraging with us).
All together I think the first results are beginning to show, as we get complimented regularly for our leading/dancing (considering the sort time that we have been dancing).
Anyway, I'm still struggling to keep some dances interesting, mostly due to my very short repertory, and I still have problems leading some moves. Also, improving musicality seems far away as I mostly focus on one/two instruments to count the beat (most time bells) and even though Spanish is my mother language, I wouldn't be able to catch any of the lyrics.
I only hope that this 2 week holiday break doesn’t make a big regression in our dance, as we were having the most fun just before the break…
