| You will have heard to phrase practise makes perfect | | | | your lead. Dance as if they were there with you; this is |
| while this is partly true what practise actually dose is | | | | highly under rated and will teach you the moves and |
| make the actions practised permanent. | | | | mentally prepare you to dance with a real partner. |
| Practising away from the class is an important part of | | | | 3. Repeat the same sequence again and again. |
| the learning process and you should be dancing Salsa | | | | Learning is an art form in its self. Firstly you teach your |
| as often as you can. It is important to practise the right | | | | brain the dance move or sequence committing it to |
| moves correctly. | | | | memory. Secondly by repeating it over and over you |
| When starting take it slowly step out the moves and | | | | teach it to your muscles. This is called muscle memory |
| count out loud. As you learn each of the movements | | | | and it is a wonderful thing because after LOTS of |
| and the timing you will be able to speed up what you | | | | practise your muscles don't need your brain to tell |
| are doing. | | | | them what to do; they do it all by themselves. |
| Choose some slow tempo Salsa to start practising to | | | | This gives you brain time to think of what's coming up |
| even do it without music just counting; moving to faster | | | | and what's going on around you. |
| tracks as you become more efficient at the timing and | | | | 4. Dance with every one you can. We have said |
| foot work. | | | | before that Salsa is a very sociable dance experience; |
| If your class offers free dancing after the class use it | | | | its part of what makes it so enjoyable. This will help |
| to practise the moves you have just learnt to get | | | | you progress your salsa dancing. |
| them clear and fixed in your memory; remember to | | | | Dance with as many partners as possible of all levels. |
| right them down. | | | | Don't worry if they are the best dancers in the club |
| If you can't practise right after the lesson spend some | | | | Salsa etiquette, more of this later on, means they |
| time at home with your notes practising for at least | | | | should dance to your level. |
| half an hour within in the next 2 days after the lesson. | | | | It pays to dance around with different partners as this |
| Ok here are some tips to help you practise. | | | | will boost your learning and skill very quickly. |
| 1. Find a dance partner to practise with. Often people | | | | 5. Got the rhythm in your sole then stop counting. We |
| come the classes on their own; this presents them | | | | have and will continue to tell you to count out loud as |
| with a problem as they have no one to practise with. | | | | this is the best way of getting the beat down and |
| Find yourself a practise partner from your class who | | | | second nature. |
| wants to put the work in with you to improve their | | | | There is a point where you will become a Latino |
| Salsa. A word for both the ladies and men make sure | | | | where you will easily drop into the rhythm of the music. |
| your intentions are clear we don't want and issues due | | | | Soon you will be dancing like you come from Havana. |
| to miss understandings. | | | | When practising as you become more proficient at |
| 2. No practise partners don't panic, you may think that | | | | getting the timing right stop counting out loud and do it |
| this is a slightly silly suggestion but bare with us. We | | | | in your head. If you drop the timing go back to counting |
| have all sang into an imaginary microphone or played | | | | out loud. Eventually you will even stop moving your lips |
| air guitar at home; oh come on of course you have; no | | | | and counting in your head; in fact you probably won't |
| practice partner doses not mean you can't practise! | | | | even notice as you are having so much fun. |
| Its time to dance with an imaginary dance partner step | | | | So there you have it 5 top tips t o help you get the |
| out the move and sequences as if you have a partner, | | | | most out of your Salsa dancing I hope you found them |
| remember count out loud to the music. | | | | useful. |
| Imagine the lead leading your or the follower following | | | | |
