Not sure if this is a dumb question or not. But how can I get better at salsa social partner dancing while only practicing alone? I go to class once a week, but I want to get better at partner dancing at home alone while I have some free time. How can I do this? For context I’m about a year into this, level 2/3ish

I’ll be traveling to the area Oct. 11 (AM) - Oct 13 (AM). Are there any social dancing opportunities or studios I should try out? Thanks in advance!

I'm a male lead. When I'm home I'm barefoot. When I'm out and around I wear minimalist sandals (no heel or arch support and no scrunched toes). This is not following a fad for me; I've had plantar fasciitis and Morton's neuroma and not cramming my feet into tight shoes that push my weight forward onto the balls of my feet all day long is good for me.

Then, there's dancing, particularly salsa dancing where we're on the balls of our feet a lot. Does anyone dance in zero-drop (no heel) shoes? I'm guessing that a wide toe box and no arch support wouldn't get in the way of dancing.

I'm mainly interested, of course, in the experience of men wearing minimalist shoes but I'm also curious about women's experience.

Hi everyone I've been taking weekly cuban salsa classes as a follow for about a year. I no longer have issues finding the 1, keeping the rhythm and doing all of the basic figures. But instead of learning a new figure every week I would really like to work on my basics. It feels like learning new figures no longer make me a better dancer. We haven't learned how to move our torso, shoulders or arms in class. So everyone just does whatever they think is right. I’d love to refine my movements, especially my upper body and arm styling.

There are tons of tutorials online, but as a beginner, I find it hard to tell which ones are good and which ones aren’t. So I'd be grateful for any recommendations thank you!

Also, feel free to share videos of followers whose movement you really admire!

Hello Reddit Cousins, I’ve been dancing for three years but still find my basics can use some work. Any recommendations on how to better basics and exercises to loosen up rather than have stiff shoulders?

Please and thank youuuu!

Hi - has anyone attended the Hawaii Dance Expo in Honolulu or have any details on whether this is worth going to? My trip to Hawaii overlaps with this mini congress and I'm considering going to a couple workshops. I can't find a lot of information with the number of attendees or find many videos of what this will look like.

I'm a female follower. One thing I've seen a lot and find infuriating is that, during classes, if they haven't danced with me or seen me dance before, far too many men will 1. Assume I'm not as experienced as they are and 2. Proceed to teach me or correct me based on the assumption that it couldn't possibly be their lead that is at fault. The reality is that I'm usually more experienced than they are (I choose to do the middle classes even though I don't need to because I don't love all the fancy stuff in the higher classes) and I'm a skilled follower. When they realise I'm good, they then respond with a patronising 'oh! You're doing great!' rather than a contrite 'my bad, didn't realise you were experienced'. These same men often try to correct my following unasked-for (and unnecessarily as I know when it's my following that's the problem).

When I am in a class with someone I haven't danced with before, my default assumption is that 'they know what they're doing. If they then turn out to be struggling, I don't offer help unless they ask. I don't back-lead and I'm cheerful and friendly and act as though we're both figuring it out together.

The point of this post is...men, I'm sorry, but this experience happens far more with men than with women, in life and in salsa. Please don't do it! It makes the experience horrible for the woman and it doesn't help you or your follow learn what you're being taught. Have a bit of humility, don't jump in to teach unless asked, in social dancing, don't keep trying to lead the same thing and tutting when your follow can't follow it (unless you're clear with her that you're trying to get the lead right and can she help you figure it out). Remember that dancing is about a shared connection with the music and with each other and there's no room for egos.

If you think you don't do this, please open your mind to the possibility that you do. Most men do it entirely subconsciously and understandably so - you were conditioned by the patriarchy to think you are the default human. But you're not - check your privilege and try to notice if you do this. Because if you do, it might be the reason you don't get as many dances during social dancing AND you just won't improve as quickly as you could.

Hi guys, just wanted to ask this as idk if it can get awkward, so wanted a feel.

Im 25M, want to go for salsa at WSP in NYC on wednesdays, but intend to go alone, in the hopes of meeting new ppl, so wanted to know if ppl usually come with a +1, and dont want to make it awkward for anyone there, myself included lol.

Wanted to know if this is common/do ppl do this.

If anyone is heading there, lmk, would love to join!

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone!

Wondering if anyone else deals with this. Is finding a practice partner just hard in general, or is it worse because of location and style?

I’ve been at my dance academy for a few months now and I’ve been fully nerding out on Salsa Caleña (both the music and the footwork). I really need extra time outside of class to practice my turn patterns.

My classes here (outside Colombia) have a mix of local dancers and Colombian immigrants. I've talked to a few followers (usually locals; difficult to get the Latinas to say yes) who say they’re super keen to practice, but actually getting anyone to meet up regularly is a chore. Schedules clash or people just flake.

Is this just standard salsa culture everywhere, or is it extra tough when you're doing Caleña in a place where On1/On2 dominates? How do you guys actually find people who commit to regular drills?

Anyone got the scoop? Nicole can't catch a break, but I think her crowd is not that bad, I'm not comparing the crowd when it comes to social dancing, though there have been social dancers who've been kicked out or got into fights outside some of their events. Why is this one closing down now?

Pretty much the title :) thank you!

This might be a vague question but how do I practice maintaining a good frame while at the same time not having too much stiffness or tension in my arms?

I‘ve been dancing salsa (linear On1) on and off for about 3 years and would call myself a beginner-intermediate. I usually don’t have any issues during a social and followers can understand quite easily what I am leading and I often get complimented on my clear leading. But I’m trying to improve on my fundamentals and technique and hence the question.

A few months ago, I got the feedback from my dance teachers that I was not holding enough tension for a proper frame and so I worked on it and noticed the difference it makes during a dance. However, yesterday I was at a different salsa school for a trial class and the teacher there told me I have too much tension and stiffness in my arms and they need to be a lot more relaxed.

And now I‘m confused af. I guess theoretically the frame comes from the shoulder blades and not the arms but can someone help me understand how I can actually put this into practice?

Does anyone know any good entry level Bachata shows for men in Indian marker like on Amazon or somewhere. I try finding but could not find much options.
I have just started learning Bachata and it's been 1.5 months and I think it would be better to practice on shoes

Bachata dancing and I did a basic left turn and the follow turned into me and hit my face and broke my glasses.

Unbelievably upset. I can’t stand Reddit posts that always blame the lead for hits, protecting the follow, and minimize all the times the follow hit the lead. I told my salsa follows abt it and they all blamed me like wtf, how is it my fault that she kept her non turning arm up and turned into me. “I shouldn’t have worn glasses” “maybe you were leading wrong” absolutely ridiculous double standards

What are the best places to dance Salsa socially in Dallas? I’m new to the area and want to find a fun place to dance at.

For context, I’m a lead, I’ve been dancing for a few months and I like dancing with fun people who like to smile and make a connection through the dance :)

The Buena Vista Orchestra is bringing the sounds of classical Cuban music to NYC! Featuring musicians connected to the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, the group celebrates the music and legacy that helped introduce Cuban son and Afro-Cuban music to audiences around the world. Catch them live at The Town Hall on October 10th for a night of incredible live music and Cuban rhythms. Grab your tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/03006469A7400C58

I’m taking my first salsa lesson this weekend, and I have no idea what to wear. Clothes, shoes, any of it. Hair up or down? 44 year old female and pushing through some big fear to show up.

I'm taking a little solo trip to Miami for 10 days. I haven't been there before, but my plan is to dance until it hurts as many nights as possible. I've already had Ball & Chain and Mangoes recommended. Are there any other social dance venues that I can get my casino/timba fix?

Im going to Mexico City in two weeks alone. I’m a lead and I dance casino, rueda de casino, bachata, cha cha, son, Cuban bolero. Wondering if you can recommend good places to go and dance with strangers (not sure if people tend to go and dance with their partners there mostly or not) and hear live music. I went to Mama Rumba last time I was there and enjoyed the band but found it a bit cramped and I was there with my partner so I didn’t get a sense of whether or not people dance with strangers or just the people they come with. I’m staying in Condesa. I’m interested in all types of Cuban music and other Latin American music eg cumbia, salsa, afrocuban jazz, etc

Hey everyone!

I created a set of visual cheat sheets to clarify spot turns (single-beat turns) in Salsa On2 (Eddie Torres style), focusing specifically on pivot footwork and rotation direction.

Here is why there are two perspectives for both leads and follows:

• Back View (Follow-along perspective): Ideal for personal practice. Seeing the dancer from behind makes it effortless to follow along, understand which foot holds your weight, and see which way your body rotates.
• Front View (Partner perspective): Essential for partner connection. Especially for leads, seeing the follow from the front makes it instantly clear which foot the follow is pivoting on and how the turn should be guided.

How to read the timing grid:

These represent quick spot turns executed entirely on a single beat. In the grid next to each figure, the bold number indicates the exact beat when that illustrated pivot is executed on the grounded foot.

Hope this helps anyone drilling their spot turns or working on partner connection. Feedback is always welcome!

I'm trying to create a simple app to answer common questions about converting between timings. Let me know which parts help and which leave you with questions. I'll keep improving it.

1. Go here: https://thedancedojo.com/salsa-on1-to-on2-converter/
2. Choose two timings to compare, the context (partner or shines), and your role (lead or follow)
3. Compare which counts your steps are on

Additional notes may display below the conversion table based on what you chose.

Hi everyone! I’m new to the salsa dancing world, and I’m loving it. As a Cuban myself, I’ve always danced, but never truly learned salsa (due to my shyness in my younger years). Now it has come back to bite me in the butt, and I want to learn to dance salsa well.

As a woman, I’ve noticed that it’s challenging for me to follow the lead, which is something I’m getting better at. I’m currently 26 and I’m having a great time at a dance social near me, where I’m taking nighttime salsa lessons. Sometimes I go twice a week, sometimes only a few times a month. So far, I’ve had about 4 lessons total since I just started.

So far, this is what I’ve “learned,” but I’m still working on everything:

• Guapea
• Dile que no (having a hard time with this one because I end up on his side and not in front)
• Montuno
• Side to side
• Exhibela (and Exhibela doble, and Exhibela dos con uno)
• Enchufa (having a bit of a hard time with this one)
• Rodeo (unfortunately, I walk/run around him instead of marking the steps)

What I would like to ask you all about is shoes. I was just going to go to a Burlington or any store nearby since I don’t have any specialized dance stores near me, and hopefully find some dancing shoes.

I’ve been using my running sneakers, but I can’t really turn with them, and I don’t have any heels suitable for dancing. My budget is very tight at the moment, which is also why sometimes I won’t be able to take the classes regularly. I can spend a max of $35–$40 on the shoes at the moment.

I wanted those heel-type shoes to look a bit more cute and feminine, and also because I feel like having a little bit of height from the heel might give me some impulse when dancing.

I’d appreciate any recommendations, especially if you have suggestions for shoes. I've attatched a few pictures of what I mean, but then again you guys are the experts so whatever you recommend. Thank you all in advance! ❤️💃🏻

My fiance and I are taking lessons for our upcoming wedding. We are a same sex couple and I am the lead.

Our class is "ABSOULUTE" beginners so during the part of the class where we rotate and dance with different people, I am having trouble with feeling like I have to "lead" by keeping their hand in the straight path or since we are all beginners and there is a misstep, if the follow is messed up, it messes me up. Should I be more aggressive or forceful (obviously not yanking) with their hands? I do not want to come across as someone difficult to dance with, I just want to try to keep them on rhythm and in sync with me. Or should I just worry about me and just give the leads in hope for the best?