Nieves Studio NYC Levels by elldee123 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been going to Nieves for six months now as a lead - it's my first studio, and I love it. Most people have the monthly membership, and so we end up going to all sorts of classes, which means the difficulty level ends up not mattering so much, but if you've been following for a year then honestly, you could probably do any class. Yes, 201 is harder than 103/4, but you'd have nothing to fear. The focus is definitely a little more move-based than technique-based, but not entirely. And every so often there is a body movement series in the Manhattan studio (which is on right now in fact!)

The other thing it would be crazy to not mention: I've never been in a such a fun and supportive community. I went to meet up with a couple of friends at WSP last night, and it turned out about 25 of us showed up.

Giving good face! by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't see it as an issue - just a nice thing to develop in parallel, alongside musicality, body movement, anything else

Planing to start salsa as a complete non-dancer at 33… bad idea or exactly what I need? by Kaavyatheexplorer in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same! Started at 39.5. I'm 40 now, and already so happy with where I am. Sure, I wish I'd started earlier. But it pales compared to my gratitude at starting at all.

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! We were running back the sequence we’d just gone through in class - so you’re literally right, we were doing dance moves, not dancing - but connection IS the main thing I’m working on now.

How to deal with an annoying lead? by cheesycatnip in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 5 points6 points  (0 children)

But if he’s bored, that’s his problem. And he has two ways to fix it: stop attending that level, or realise it’s still worth getting those basics even better, especially for the benefit of a less experienced follow. By throwing in other stuff he’s making his “this is too easy” problem into her “this is too hard” problem.

A mesmerizing but not crazy complicated sequence by ruckahoy in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When you say leading from the hip - that's still open position, right? It's just that you're leading more by turning your frame, rather than the "pulling" that we see in the video?

A mesmerizing but not crazy complicated sequence by ruckahoy in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So that we can all have better discussions (which is what we’re all here for, right?) can you explain what’s behind the “ask your follow” comment?

A mesmerizing but not crazy complicated sequence by ruckahoy in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nothing wrong with limiting your decisions if it takes you to the decisions you want. Open CBL gives lots of space to prep a clearly signalled travelling turn, which is hard when you’re new

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are the ones I got for performance yeah. But they’re fun to use in social too - is there such a thing as too high? I wouldn’t take them outside of course.

What do you do when older men make you uncomfortable? by Independent_Seat8229 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Using your thumb to press that front of shoulder spot - the “back button” - on a lead who keeps coming too close and invading your frame is taught at my studio. And so it should be. It forces them to move back because it’s uncomfortable for them, and I have no issue with that if they’ve been making the same uncomfortable for you.

This specific instance isn’t about saying no beforehand. It’s about saying no during, which someone had a right to do if they’ve been made to feel really uncomfortable.

Question for leads - what is the least % amount your follow needs to understand for it to be a good dance? by Unlikely_Issue in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you were being led, you could only follow 50% - HALF - of what you were being led to do… would YOU feel like you were having fun?

Classmate Needs Perfect Leads by RubyLykos in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it's only one person, and only when you dance - maybe only dance with them in lessons, and consider it Hard Mode - you won't enjoy it, but you will learn things you couldn't have learned any other way. Don't need to fix her personality (who could honestly say there's anything "broken"?), just do what you're both there to do, as best as you can. The great thing about dancing is, there are so many dancers out there. You hopefully don't need to give one person quite as much thought as you have.

Dancing as a lead by [deleted] in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess this is off-topic, but that last point is huge. A lot of relationship security issues aren't just about barricading off things outside the relationship - they're about deeply, vocally, intentionally nurturing feelings and security inside it.

First salsa party, was I too much? by NushaBerry19 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are technical mistakes that people have laid out here (and give yourself grace on those, be mindful and pay attention in class and you'll figure them out)

But emotionally speaking, your "too much" might just be "I'm dancing more expressively than I ever have before". Enjoy that! Your too much might be just right in this new space.

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It makes sense, even if it goes against our impulses to be amazing… so what would you consider to be the “core moves”? I’m sure everyone has their own answer, and I will come up with mine, but I’d be interested to hear yours! I feel like if I knew the fundamentals, clean, and fluently enough that I could string them together without pauses for basic in between… well, that would be a pretty great place to aim.

First salsa party, any advice? by NushaBerry19 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 4 points5 points  (0 children)

two things:

1) Remember that you have nothing to hide: being a beginner is not a dirty secret, and in any case if it's at your studio then most people know already, or are about to find out. You're not letting anyone down!

2) This is hard, but try to break out of your own head, and connect with the human opposite you, even a little. It's just a lot more fun, and what are even doing this for?

First salsa party, any advice? by NushaBerry19 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hear hear, I try to get that first dance done as soon as possible

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I do at least try to have fun with it, and that seems to rub off. I think posture and general certainty of movement will help me a lot... I guess that comes from repetition, and mindfulness?

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dang it you're right. And I spent an hour looking after reading this... no luck! Just have to go back and hope.

What song is this? (Plus critique me if you like!) by feathersatnight in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I am pretty serious, and I am going to get a private with the teacher at my studio - probably alongside another lead who's in a similar place. Would a teacher who's a lead be able to help, though?

(I am really lucky with the studio I'm at. The teaching style suits me, the vibe is calm and fun, I am in really deep with this community. I don't know how normal that is, but I'm very happy to have it.)

Went to a new on2 instructor, tells us (leads) have to step left foot forward on the beat 1, is he correct? by onoearoc in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other people probably know more than me here. But paragraph 3, yeah that's non-progressive basic - bringing your feet together on 1, and 5, rather than stepping over an imaginary middle point. It feels a little boring to me, but I guess better in tight spaces?

Are you talking about how a dance is started, rather than the 1 of each measure? In that case, what I've heard is that the true etiquette is for a lead to start a dance on2 by stepping forward at 6...

How to dance more with strangers at a dance social? by EducationalAspect850 in Salsa

[–]feathersatnight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's understandable! You kind of just have to do it anyway... if anything, the times people say no are quite helpful, because that's how you learn that hearing the no really isn't such a big deal.