Losing interest in Salsa

S

salilsurendran

Hello Friends,
I have been dancing Salsa on and off for about 3 years. I used to enjoy the dance a lot till about a year ago where I focused on moving to the Bay area didn't social dance much at all.
After moving here I was really excited to see a variety of great teachers but soon hit a rut where I lost interest in dancing all together. One prime reason is that I felt that since I haven't danced in so long I have been losing my lead and a lot of moves I could do smoothly are now not so smooth. Worst of all I live in the South bay and most of the people here dance on 1 and if I have to dance on 2 I have to travel all the way to SFO usually on a weekday. Also office workload is heavy and career is my top priority.
I don't want to give up dancing though I am finding it difficult to find the movitation especially when work takes up so much energy. I was wondering if any of you guys have been in the same spot and how you got out of it.
I have been thinking of focusing more on Afro Cuban Rumba dancing to get more in touch with music. I feel if I improve my musicality I will enjoy dancing once again. Also thinking of regularly practicing for 15 minutes a day to maintain skill level. Can anyone suggest a good instructional dvd on afro cuban or salsa musicality?
 
salilsurendran said:
Worst of all I live in the South bay and most of the people here dance on 1 and if I have to dance on 2
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South Bay has many good on2 dancers. Just not good dance venues.

salilsurendran said:
I have been thinking of focusing more on Afro Cuban Rumba dancing to get more in touch with music.
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For that you will have to drive to the city too.

salilsurendran said:
Also office workload is heavy and career is my top priority.
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People adapt differently to heavy workloads. It all depends on how much you are able to motivate yourself get out and dance, or do any other activity after day's work.

There are people who come out dancing in spite of heavy workload and it works as an excellent stress release (so would any other physical activity).

No matter the workload and how much career focus you are, few hours of dancing a week (if you really want to) is not impossible.

The city may not have a regular weekend events, but there are enough of them. And there is at least once in a month. Why don't you go to Beat on Fridays? It is a total on2.
 
I prefer working as a way to sustain my living rather than living to work. Sure I enjoy my job but I wouldn't if it didn't let me do other stuff. It's all about balance. My life is good because I can do dance, photography, read, rock climbing, travel, hang out with friends, and very importantly some personal development, ...

In the last years I have focused on improving my skills and efficiency to be able to work less hours and still be paid more. I have an approx 7hr work day, it works pretty well. I could earn twice the money, but what's the point? I already have enough to support myself and my hobbies. And the day I have kids it won't change. I prefer them to know me as the father who spends time with them, shows up at their sports match, teaches them cool stuff, not the guy who's never there, is exhausted/not present when he's around, and tries to compensate by buying some expensive toys, a lifeless luxury house or some costly exotic vacation.

Working too much makes a bad life style. It's not worth it!
I make choices than support this: I eat organic with lots of veggies (you'd be surprised how different life is with proper food - the energy levels don't even compare), I don't drink more than one or two glasses a week, put my money in fun stuff like photography gear, online courses about whatever interests me, dance classes, and so on.

I don't own any ostentatious stuff. My vehicle is an old $1500 125cc scooter than can do over 80MPG and costs $200 year for a comprehensive insurance. When I need a car about once a month to carry stuff I just rent it for a day. I've had the same old watch my grandfather gave me practically 20 years ago, not a Rolex. I don't use a credit card, buy stuff that won't be useful (shopping sprees don't exist for me - I do buy expensive clothes but only the good quality stuff that I can keep for five years), I don't have an iphone, my computer was already cheap when I bought it 4 years ago, and I don't have a TV either.

My life is awesome.
It's all about setting priorities and goals.


I'm not saying do like me.
I'm saying maybe working so much isn't making you happy, and you may want to consider why you are working so much and if it does accomplish your goals.
 
Can someone recommend a good afro cuban dvd. The most recommended is this one http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cubanfolklore3 but what is pictured on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-fkLDckT9E is so very different from most of the classes that I have taken till now.
 
salilsurendran said:
Can someone recommend a good afro cuban dvd. The most recommended is this one http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cubanfolklore3 but what is pictured on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-fkLDckT9E is so very different from most of the classes that I have taken till now.
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That would probably because this video is from the core salsa country, whereas what you have been taught has been an 'evolved' fastfood version, to put it politely.

Anyway, Sunsoul is right. One way to rekindle your passion for salsa would be to visit a core destination. Sunsoul is currently posting from the world salsa capital of Cali, Colombia. Perhaps a visit to Cuba would be more relevant for you?:)
 
salilsurendran said:
Can someone recommend a good afro cuban dvd. The most recommended is this one http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cubanfolklore3 but what is pictured on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-fkLDckT9E is so very different from most of the classes that I have taken till now.
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Did you watch the whole video? The first few minutes are actually yambu and most classes concentrate on guaguanco only - maybe that's why you find it different?
 
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