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Why are many beginners fearful of
going salsa dancing at a club?
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Isabel says:
Many beginners are extremely worried about how people will look at
their clumsy moves or even laugh at them. It really takes a lot of
courage to step onto the dance floor of a club and dance. I still
remember my very first time when a good looking guy asked me to
dance. The whole floor was empty...everyone was looking...and I got
sooooo nervous....and I was VERY clumsy...I made all kinds of
mistakes that you can ever imagine...I was very embarrassed and
wanted to crawl into a hole. HOWEVER, that didn't stop me from trying
again. I know a lot of beginners feel the same way as I did but one
will never realize how fun salsa is if he/she doesn't even try at the
club. So, beginners (like myself; I still am though I am starting my
level 2 now) put on your dancing shoes and salsa at the clubs and
have fun!!!!
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Eric says:
A beginner will feel that there are just too too many better people
around. These better people have 1) lots of eyes to see how newbie I
am - bad for self-esteem, 2) other better people to dance with, so
rejection level is higher - bad for self-esteem, 3) better moves than
me, bad for self-esteem.
So in general, most beginners feel that its daunting to take the
plunge. Its all about stepping out of your comfort zone. What most
beginners don't realize though is that most people will only look at
the very good ones and not at the beginners :)
Another thing they should realize is, if they never practice or gain
experience, they will never improve!
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Nicole says:
The only way for beginners to improve and practice is to go dancing
at a club. But once you're in there, you'll be so intimidated by the
good supa hot dancers that you'll tend to feel so 'small', as it is
we're already nothing compared to them. From my experience, nobody
would wanna dance with a beginner unless he/she is a beginner as
well. and its hard getting a beginner to practice with u, the only
time we meet is during our classes. These good dancers might ask u
for a dance, and when they know you're a beginner and can't really do
much, one song or less is all u got. when you're good and wanna strut
off your stuff, you'll definitely get a good dancer who can do the
same too right? Thus, I'll end up watching people dance the night
away. till now, I'm still not good. :(
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Farida says:
Quite simple really.
We're scared of being boring, we're scared of making the guy/girl
look bad cos we know very few moves, if we're already sucktacular in
class, what more when we're in a club.
Plus, if we actually make it to the club (such a brave brave soul),
we'll refuse to dance. Our heart (and other vital organs) jumps to
our throat when we see
super-duper-shine-brighter-than-spotlight-on-national-day-yay-yay
dancers on the dance floor making us go GET ME OUTTA HERE!! *beats
desperately on nearest wall*
BUT I believe it's more of a mental thing than anything else. And one
that will work against us if we really wanna learn.
So until we brave ourselves and dance out there in the hairy jungle
of salsa clubs, and get your toes trodden and have yourself swiveled
from here to Katmandu, we won't learn much so let's make it our
resolution to get over this irrational fear.
Note to self: remember to remove heart and vital organs from throat
first before dancing in club. And to stop talking so much.
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Alvin says:
Its our Singaporean upbringing lah, always fearful of looking bad in
public!
Fortunately, I met a bunch of very friendly and patient seniors who
got me onto the dance floor, even though I'm only three weeks into my
salsa 1!
The encouragement definitely helps, so I'll be sure to pass it
forward next time too...
See you at Union guys!
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Francis says:
I was once, one of the beginners.
Let me approach it form a guy's point of view. Personally, I find
that most beginners fear dancing in clubs due to: 1) Lack of
confidence (fear that people will laugh at their them) 2) Their
perception that the limited moves that they know will bore their
partners. (especially for guys)
For Point 1, only those who dance really well or hunks (I do not fall
into either one...)get looked at...
For Point 2, girls usually appreciate good leads than fanciful turn
patterns. At least, that's what I had established base on my
survey... (unless the ladies don't mean what they say....
again........)
Folks, look at it this way... You cannot dance well because you have
no practice. And i you don't practice, you will not dance well... So
it is a downward spiral all the way if you don't start somewhere....
A little alcohol will help. I used to only start dancing after 4
beers! So before my friends asked me to dance, they will ask if I had
enough beer or not.
Start with those from your class. And the best partner to start with
is your instructors! Get Jean or Wendy to dance with you. They will
"guide" you (free lesson!!!) along the way!!! ;p
After some stunts, you will not be fearful of dancing at clubs
anymore cuz you will be totally enjoying yourself!!! Who cares who's
looking???
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Edmund says:
I was fearful because I was not confident of my steps and feel that I
only know a few basic moves thus going to a club really scares me off
as I was worried that I will bored the gal who I am dancing with.
And besides there are so many experts dancing in the club thus I felt
stress out. Thus getting me out to dance in the club was like a
impossible task. This is what I had feel in the beginning when I
started heading down to union and others clubs, and I believe many
people feel the same way too.
Actually there is no need to worry about having little moves or just
doing basic, I had done basic steps with some gals I know for the
whole song and well it was fun.
You can add spices to the basics you know like for the wrap move, you
can add in a simple turn or a basic steps in between, so that you can
have more fun.
Just my experience which I had accumulated over the months :)
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Marjorie says:
We have all been there; going salsa dancing for the first time in a
club where all the experienced dancers go and do savvy moves and
grooves. That may be pretty daunting and scary as you think that
everyone will look at you and burst laughing when you attempt to
dance. And once you have built enough courage to actually go to a
club the next fearful thing is to actually go and dance. When asked
for a dance and approach the dance floor your hands start to sweat,
your heart start beating franticly, you go through the steps in your
head, you might even count out loud to ensure you stay on beat. But
then as you start dancing you realize.
..No one is watching you
...No one laughs or looks strangely if you make a mistake
...Everyone there is just enjoying the music and dance
...You are not the only beginner - you meet people from your class
and different schools
...The steps you were thought in class come back to you naturally
...The music carries you away and you even start doing moves you didn
t even know you could.
Next thing you know you are in salsa clubs almost every night. So, in
my opinion, the one and only fear beginners should worry about is
becoming addicted to Salsa! But I tell you - it is a good and healthy
addiction.
See all you beginners at Union Square next time..!
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