Why do you do latin dancing!!?
- Thread starter ~DeCiMuS~
- Start date
I do it cos I like dancing and being creative and because it feels good to walk into a place where everyone is either dancing or waiting to dance. It brings out the best in me for the most part; latin music being one of the many types of music that get me going but one of very few that have an accessible partner dance.
I like that the men are men and the women are women and that social status only matters as much as you want it to.
Everything else is a bonus.
I like that the men are men and the women are women and that social status only matters as much as you want it to.
Everything else is a bonus.
azzey
Son Montuno
LOL at the other answers.
I like it because great dances and dance nights feel like cocaine in your brain all night long but without the nasty side effects.
It's very social too, everybody knows everybody and most clubs you can actually have a conversation with someone if you wanted.. though you might find that hard if you're dancing all the time.
Had a great night out dancing last night at two clubs. Danced all night long with beautiful girls I know well. Flirted and had some really hot and sexy dances (Merengue and Bachata) with someone I just met.
Was exhausted but very happy afterwards. My body ached but a good night of sleep fixed that and I awoke relaxed and smiling. All for free (the clubs here don't charge entrance fees).
I like it because great dances and dance nights feel like cocaine in your brain all night long but without the nasty side effects.
It's very social too, everybody knows everybody and most clubs you can actually have a conversation with someone if you wanted.. though you might find that hard if you're dancing all the time.
Had a great night out dancing last night at two clubs. Danced all night long with beautiful girls I know well. Flirted and had some really hot and sexy dances (Merengue and Bachata) with someone I just met.
Was exhausted but very happy afterwards. My body ached but a good night of sleep fixed that and I awoke relaxed and smiling. All for free (the clubs here don't charge entrance fees).
DancingGuy
Changui
ditto
Salsa Bear
Son
Guess the topic is the main gist of it all. I heard from many it's for the 'exercise', but if that's the exclusive reason then that's not very logical--because there's way better means to get exercise than that.
So what's your guys reasons and justifications?
Wow, reading your question and the responses makes me feel like a freak.
I certainly don't need the exercise. My job is extremely physical - basically a four-hour workout every day.
I dived into Latin dance for the following reasons...
1) I loved the music.
2) I thought it would make for a really interesting social life.
3) I thought it would be a great way to meet someone.
4) I'm a huge fan of Latin American politics, and I thought I might meet like-minded people in the Latin dance arena.
In the beginning, people ridiculed me for thinking there was some sort of connection between salsa and politics. So I should apparently be enjoying the social life and exercise and not thinking about deeper issues (e.g. politics, ethnic pride, etc.). Amazingly, it turned out almost exactly the opposite for me.
I've just about given up on the social arena - major disappointment - leaving the music and political angle as the only real attractions.
In fact, the politics of the rhythm is an amazing story. Just a little while ago, I read some intriguing articles about Ruben Blades, who I believe is the biggest living salsa star (singer). It turns out he's very political; he even served in public office. Blades was somehow associated with a world tango championship in Argentina. I don't understand Spanish very well, but it sounds like he was singing salsa to tango music, or something like that.
My fascination with salsa also inspired me to start working on a salsa website some time ago, so I'm continuing to research various aspects of it. In fact, I hope to publish about ten articles about salsa this weekend.
Viva la musica!
Mmmm... no, it's the exercise.
WessexSalsero
Changui
Birds. Yeah.
hmm..now why would you??
Salsa Bear
Son
I'm not thrilled with the local salsa scene, for a number of reasons. It would be cool to check out the salsa scene in a bigger city with a greater Latino tradition, like LA or NYC.
sweavo
Changui
without black pride there wouldn't be salsa as we know it. It partly came about as a response to PR communities not having their own identity in NY, and inspired by the neighboring african american communities getting organised and politically vocal. So on the one hand, it's just bubblegum music for dancing but to dismiss the political angle shows a lack of appreciation for the heritage of this wonderful music.
Salsa Bear
Son
I wish I could jump into a time machine and visit New York City in the 1960's/70's. That was such an exciting period in history to begin with - though I experienced it in West Dakota, far from the action - and I suspect the Latin dance scene must have been even more exciting then.
SnowDancer
Son Montuno
The social scene. I've made more friends in my 4 years of salsa than in my previous 20 doing other hobbies. It's pretty cool, walking into a NY club last week and running into a guy I knew from Portland (and even cooler that he introduced his two female Argentine friends
).
Why salsa? Seems to attract an interesting cross-section of the community I wouldn't normally meet. Plus, I love the music.
).Why salsa? Seems to attract an interesting cross-section of the community I wouldn't normally meet. Plus, I love the music.
Not many other accessible forms of exercise work the brain as well though.
It's a great way to get a good workout (cardio, abs, etc, though I also go to gym for weights).
I especially like the social side and the ladies. It's a It's a great way to feel connected to something (which can be hard to do in Melbourne Aus where people are usually in a rush and there's lots of focus on work and careers).
As a creative type person, I also like the music and dancing. For me, dancing is a time effective way to engage in something creative (i.e. easier than live theatre).
Another reason is for personal development. As I sometimes lack confidence, dancing is helping me to become more confident. For me, this is a much better investment than buying a stack of self help books.
sjgot1
I especially like the social side and the ladies. It's a It's a great way to feel connected to something (which can be hard to do in Melbourne Aus where people are usually in a rush and there's lots of focus on work and careers).
As a creative type person, I also like the music and dancing. For me, dancing is a time effective way to engage in something creative (i.e. easier than live theatre).
Another reason is for personal development. As I sometimes lack confidence, dancing is helping me to become more confident. For me, this is a much better investment than buying a stack of self help books.
sjgot1
Is there? Not for the long term if you're not one of those few exercise freaks. I don't know of any other exercise this addictive.
Low impact, inexpensive, no risk for injuries, it cured my back and knee problems. And it's a useful social skill, not just time wasted.
The need for exercise got me started. You have to do something physically on a regular basis, or accept getting fatter every year like most people. It's a lifetime investment. A rational choice, very logical.
Why choose some exercise where you have to force yourself to get off the couch? This is what usually happens after the first enthusiastic phase in any new "lifestyle". Tried that a few times too many.
Not that I think of it as exercise, it's the obsession to get "better", and the social side, incredibly friendly people. You meet women. I enjoy these nice, fun, romantic moments on the dance floor, flirting.
And yes, the music, the culture, the history.., it all makes it more interesting.
salsera_alemana
Changui
I got into salsa because
- I absolutely love the music,
- I love the Spanish language,
- I love dancing!
- And I am a big fan of Latin America: the people, the different Latin cultures and countries etc.
When I found salsa almost 20 years ago, I already had the love for Latin America, the language and the love for dancing. So with salsa it all came together for me! Now, I feel at home in the Latino culture and am surrounded by it. I feel so blessed and I would not want to miss it for nothing in this world!!!
This coming Saturday I will see Lalo Rodríguez perform live!!! I am so looking forward to that!
In 1994 Ruben Blades ran for president in his country of Panamá. He is a lawyer and very involved in politics.
- I absolutely love the music,
- I love the Spanish language,
- I love dancing!
- And I am a big fan of Latin America: the people, the different Latin cultures and countries etc.
When I found salsa almost 20 years ago, I already had the love for Latin America, the language and the love for dancing. So with salsa it all came together for me! Now, I feel at home in the Latino culture and am surrounded by it. I feel so blessed and I would not want to miss it for nothing in this world!!!
This coming Saturday I will see Lalo Rodríguez perform live!!! I am so looking forward to that!
In 1994 Ruben Blades ran for president in his country of Panamá. He is a lawyer and very involved in politics.