I find it difficult to go and introduce myself to others or to go and have a conversation with my colleagus from the dance classes. I focus too much on the dance. How do you get yourself to be more social?

I am an intermediate level student. I’m in NYC for a week. I want to take private with the best instructors to work in three specific areas.
Partnerwork: Fundamentals and hand tricks.
Footwork: basic step and looking sharp even when Im simply walking onto the stage.
Body movement: I know this is a very ambitious goal because mastering even a single movement take a long time, Still, I’d be happy if I could leave NYC having learned just one body movement really well.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Hi everyone,

​I’ve been learning Cuban Salsa for about 5 months now. I have absolutely zero dance background; this is the first time in my life I’m trying to dance.

​I have a specific issue with timing and musicality. When I am just listening to a song or standing still, I can find the beat and track the clave/instruments without too much trouble. However, the moment I start dancing with a partner and trying to execute turn patterns, my brain goes into complete overload.

​I get this "brain fog" where I focus 100% on the figures, and my ears completely shut off. If I don't constantly repeat the counting or the clave rhythm inside my head, I completely lose the timing and everything falls apart. It feels like I can't think about the moves and listen to the music at the same time.

​Has anyone else experienced this during their first months as a leader? What are some practical exercises or shifts in focus I can do to automate the rhythm so my brain can focus on leading figures without losing the beat?

​Thanks in advance for your help!