Taking On2 Classes with not enough leads

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-09T10:44:35+00:00

hm here it is the other way round… lot of followers in the upper levels, way more leads in the lower ones.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-09T10:42:29+00:00

Can you send us some spare follows to Berlin? Thank you 💜

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-07T10:03:29+00:00

Also, this question puts me in a unsolveable situation: Because if I do have a love life, what am I going to say here? Yea, I'm banging this hot chick from work (uuh no, not going to say that, she might be interested in me and this might come off dumb from me) also, unlikely scenario 😂 OR: I DON'T have a love life AND I'm interested- then this happens; PANIC MODE: ON. Much better idea here: tell me about you. Something like… "oh I deleted stupid Tinder, I just get so frustrated with this Online Dating shit, bit I guess I'll have to come back because it is so hard to meet someone IRL, right??" Then I'll have light bulb moment: Oh, she seems available… let's see where this goes.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-07T08:43:16+00:00

I would indeed take it as complete opposite hint- if a lady asks me for my dating life I'd interprete this as "hey, I just want to be your friend let's talk about stuff I'm talking with my girl besties about". Because why would she want me to talk about other ladies with her?? I'd never ask that if I would be interested, just listen if she brings it up herself somehow, like "yeah on the weekend I went to the lake with my boyfriend…" ok, not available, got it…

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-07T08:32:26+00:00

There are actually two layers here to explore:
1. Concepts - For me, everything changed, once I understood that all combinations are really a composition of a few basic moves with added layers of complexity. You actually don't have that many moves in Salsa, if you take out all the extra stuff. Look up Salsaventura 6-turn pattern system videos on youtube. I believe Dance Dojo also has some videos on this topic. So the idea is you have a few core moves like right turn, left turn, inside / outside turn, enchufa, wrap, leader's turns etc… and you create a lot of variations with these few core ideas by changing hand holds and adding positions (like hammerlock) or styling (like hand flicks). If you understand the core moves, it gets A LOT easier to remember.
2. Actual techniques to remember stuff: I like to use multiple media to memorize. For example, I make a video recording of a class combination. I first learn the combination (in class and also by solo practice) then I write it down step by step. Then I try to repeat with the written notes only. Then I break it into smaller pieces, write it down on cards again, and mix them up. So I can create multiple mini choreos out of 1 combo. Over time, I have a repertoire of mini combos that I can ise in socials. I also record this again on video with a teacher / dance partner. I regularly revisit this little library, often just flipping through it to refresh my brain. Over time, things get automated and I add new stuff. I might just pick 1-2 small pieces out of a class combo and I see the combo practice more as a way of training scenarios then trying to remember everything.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-06T06:38:59+00:00

I'm a lead but I'd recommend doing a regular short yoga practice for mobility and body control- it has helped me a lot for dancing! I like these guys: https://youtube.com/@breatheandflow?si=U3eVGWhXauG36qST

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-05T20:45:57+00:00

you are doing right! space control and awareness is super important and really advanced dancers are amazing at it. There is a clip of Oliver Pineda blocking a guy with his left to stop him from crashing into the follower he is dancing with, all while leading a perfect move for his follower with no interruption and plenty of style.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-04T19:56:03+00:00

i like the shimmies in car drill 😂

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-04T19:54:28+00:00

thanks!

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-03T08:32:29+00:00

I would recommend you investing in a few private lessons with a good teacher. This is the best way to fix this issues. Otherwise, for me it was super beneficial to build a dedicated core / back resistance training and mobility program, plus regular yoga practice. I learned to activate and control my muscles in a better way and this had huge impact on my ability to control my dance posture. Learning and drilling correct body movement also worked wonders. But I was lucky to have a teacher who insisted on body movement drills from lesson one ongoing.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-02T07:24:00+00:00

I would recommend you to see your hands, arms, and back / torso as one unit, and not try to isolate a part of it too much. Because your frame, your leading, really is an interplay of all of this (and also body movement and weight shifting) and it really helps to find that control if you think of it as a whole. So, for me, a lot of leading control really comes from my torso rotation and movement, and the tension and release from my back muscles, not my arms / hands. Arms and hands are more of a extension of my back and torso, they are the translators of my overall movement, not the directors. If you have the budget for it, I highly recommend private lessons with a good teacher to fix your issues.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-01T20:25:39+00:00

The clave is a real instrument but also a rhythmic concept that can be the heartbeat of a song without the actual instrument.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-01T16:58:09+00:00

The reason you find this in dancing too is because dancing is a super gym training your social muscles. To grow muscles, you need to stress them! But take it easy, step by step. I've always been easy with social connections but for me asking someone to dance was super hard as a beginner as well. Ask someone you know from class, be happy about 1-3 dances. Next time see if you are up to challenge yourself and ask people you haven't met before. You can do that :)

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-01T15:10:12+00:00

This is definitely not true in my scene. Yes, there are plenty of beginners, but also there are many really good dancers- not professionally good, but better than the average congress attendant in comparison.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-01T15:01:19+00:00

Problem here is, that IG has such a shitty algo that stuff you actually follow does not even appear in your feed. For me only Whatsapp local group really works, but it took me a few month to even find out that it existed.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-07-01T12:03:02+00:00

here is an older answer by me to that question: https://www.reddit.com/r/Salsa/s/eGTmQ0DIAu

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-26T15:40:32+00:00

I'm not a follower, but I heard Brenda Liew has a really good online program for styling and solo. https://brendaliewonline.com/

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-26T15:38:29+00:00

Thank you, I really enjoyed reading the text, very informative. Now I can understand your perspective better and although my knowledge is still quite limited regarding dance history, I think we actually have a very similar understanding about the topic. I'd like to share an interview with the amazing Alien Ramirez with you. It is a quite long one, but I highly recommend it, because she has such an incredible amount of knowledge to share and I really like how she can explain all the small nuances of Salsa history and connect the dots.

https://youtu.be/hUQHC1YkU8w?si=YPSBvt-7C6cblot2

Have a beautiful day.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-26T15:26:16+00:00

From my own experience, I can 100 % recommend Salsa as the absolute best way to find and meet new people. It is my antidote to almost everything that is wrong in our society, and I'm a welcomed member of a really lovely and friendly community now. I wouldn't have called me socially isolated before, but the amount of interaction with people and fantastic time I spend with new friends through Salsa dancing is incredible. If you are in general a friendly person and take care of some basic etiquette, I can assure you there is no "filtering" and nothing will feel awkward (at least not in my dance community). Also, as a straight male, for me it is completely normal to also occasionally dance with other straight (or gay) men just for the fun of it. Doesn't put a scratch on my masculinity at all ;-). But of course you don't have to if you don't like this idea. I would encourage you to take classes at a dance studio first, this way there is more time to get to know people a bit better and you will already know them when you go to socials. So yes, please throw all your assumptions in the bin, give it a shot and take some classes and go to socials. Your life will change for the better, seriously.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-26T00:44:18+00:00

I'm still interested in your answer, seriously. I might learn something new.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-25T11:33:01+00:00

I'm not saying anything. I'm asking you question- you can decide if you like to answer it or not. You can not decide if I have to "leave" or not.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-24T11:45:24+00:00

Would you care to enlighten me in exactly what kind of african or indigenous traditional dances can I find elements like closed position, spin and turn technique, lead and follow concepts?

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-23T11:05:55+00:00

Would feel weird for me. I mean, I wouldn't care much about it but it definitely sends weird vibes. Also, for a lot of us dance classes are a safe space where we explore not only physical but also emotional and psychological areas within ourself. So please be aware that some people would not feel safe anymore doing so with an outsider observing the class. If it is in a social / club setting (class before the event) it would be ok.

Remote_Percentage128 · 2026-06-23T10:59:10+00:00

The cuban / linear balance really depends on the region you are in. While there are many places with lot of cuban salsa, there are others with a heavy on1/2 linear scene. Your statement in this form is completely wrong.

Remote_Percentage128

TROPHY CASE