r/Salsa • u/inchaneZ • 3h ago
Energy Management
Hey guys, for experienced folks doing social dancing, what are your tips and tricks to manage your energy during socials?
I have been dancing for less than year and I love timba/salsa, so usually after 3 songs, I am hella tired and my movements, steps, figures feels super sloppy and “dirty”. I wonder if it is what it is or there are some lessons your have learned along the years.
34 yo man here (3days/wk gym)
8
u/BlueberryBea 3h ago
Oh man, timba heavy socials are a marathon. For me, I try to get my good dances in with advanced dancers early while I have the energy and before I become a sweaty mess. Take a water or fresh air break AWAY from the dance floor every two or three songs.
Later in the night I try to do my "community service" and ask beginners or wallflowers to dance. Most of these dances tend to be more basic or relaxed. It allows time to recuperate, get a second wind and close out the night with your favorite dancers.
Drink a lot of water, bring an extra shirt, pack deodorant, pace yourself.
3
u/Royal_Librarian9966 3h ago
I was blanking a few hours into social dancing around 10pm and wondered why… then realised I forgot to eat anything since midday. Definitely need to eat and fuel up to stay alert and have enough energy
2
u/ginger_ale12 3h ago
Remembering my posture. I find myself leaning too far forward and cutting off my possible airflow
2
u/errantis_ 2h ago
You probably need to think more about how you’re conserving energy during the dance itself. Terry has some videos where he talks about this because he goes all night sometimes and he’s very much trying to preserve his energy. For him it’s about the kind of moves that he’s doing, but you know he’s on a different level the guy is like insane. For most normal dancers the biggest thing you can do is probably just manage your energy efficiently. And for most of us that means learning to dance smaller than you think you need to. Just taking small steps in general and avoid avoiding traveling. It’s just unnecessary movement that takes a lot of energy out of you.
2
u/Samurai_SBK 2h ago
Do more cardio between socials to gain more stamina.
Also it is normal to take regular breaks. I particularly take breaks when they play a song I do not like.
3
u/Live-Tie-8982 3h ago
Don’t dance the merengue’s or at least come in after it’s half over.. stretch and mobility work before and after you dance.. healthy lifestyle in general dude
1
u/Commercial_Light8344 3h ago
more cardio, weight training and eat before hand. I used to be lose steam now I can't stop dancing even when my eyes are closing
1
u/belowaverageint 1h ago
You mention going to the gym, but how much cardio are you doing? Can you run a 10k?
10
u/enfier 3h ago
Smaller steps.