Life Lessons From Salsa Dancing
I have begun taking lessons in Salsa dancing. Why am I doing it? Well, it looks like fun and some of my young buddies are doing it. So I believed why not. I expected to have some enjoyable - what I did not anticipate was to obtain lessons on life from Salsa dancing.Salsa is typically agreed to have its origins in Afro-Cuban dance. Its most typical basic movements make up 3 weight changes (or actions) in a four-beat measure. The beat on which one does not step might include a tap or kick, or weight transfer might continue with the real step not taking place up until the next beat. After 6 weight changes in 8 beats, typically in forward/backward motion, the fundamental action cycle is complete. Then there are nearly unlimited variations on the standard motions with improvisations that continue to progress in various parts of the world.
Salsa is a partner danceSalsa is a partner dance with the man as the leader and the lady as the fan. This leader/follower collaboration is a crucial part of Salsa dancing: the dance could not happen without sticking to this kind of collaboration. The leader utilizes his arms to communicate or signal to the fan either in an "open" or "close" position. The lady reacts to and follows the interaction of the leader's arms: she does not expect or take control of the lead at any time.I first reserved a visit with a male instructor but the visit was cancelled and I wound up with a lady. I was at first anxious about having a female teacher leading in a "macho" dance but it ended up truly well. My teacher is a Harvard-trained designer who occurs to like dancing above other occupations. She is likewise the owner of the dance studio. As another effective and expert woman, she appreciates how hard it is for me to completely relax, release and follow someone else.She compares dancing, specifically the Salsa, to life. It is like remaining in a relationship - you need to be attuned to the rhythm and strategy of the your partner. To make the relationship work, there are times when it is best for you to "surrender" and simply follow your partner. She states that she can tell a lot about the male from the way he dances and treats her, even whether or not he would be a good lover!
Lessons from Salsa danceIn the past I have actually utilized the metaphor of dancing to guide myself and mentor others in company. In my view every company has a rhythm, and to be efficient a leader needs to feel this rhythm. It would be easier for him to lead or move the company if he first "dances" to the rhythm and after that changes the music to whatever matches him. It is more most likely that individuals will then follow him in dancing to the brand-new rhythm.What I gained from my Salsa instructor takes that metaphor to the next level - to the level of personal relationship. Certainly we have to understand and in tune with the rhythm, but that alone is not enough. We likewise need to understand how to engage with each of the partners dancing on that rhythm.
