How It Started

I met a woman at a Spanish language exchange who invited me to her salsa studio, and I knew immediately that it was something I wanted to try. And soon after that, I signed up for lessons. In the beginning it was so much fun! I met so many amazing people through the studio. Shout out to Lacey, Elizabeth and Miguelito! The lessons were fun and lighthearted and most importantly I was able to follow along. The instructors kept beat in English and I could just watch what was going on around me and copy: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.

Where It Led

After a few months in the beginners’ class, I was asked if I wanted to join a performance team. In the spirt of always saying yes, I was like “Where do I sign up?”

As much fun as I had in my intro class, it was almost the exact opposite now. I mean, things got serious…fast! Goodbye to easily following along, goodbye easy eight count, hello complicated sequences and practicing to perfection. Not only were we doing sequences with complicated footwork that had to be demonstrated, they also had to be explained…in great detail. Uh-oh…. language barrier :/

How It Went

After too many rehearsals to count, The Big Night finally arrived and I was shaking in my sparkly heels. But the moment I stepped on stage, all the stress and the anxiety and the uncertainty melted away. I belonged on that stage. There is just something about when the spotlight comes on, everything clicks and your mind and your body are in sync and you just do it. All of training, all of the late-night rehearsals, all of the sequences that were learned separately and then put together and then changed and tweaked some more…it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the moment and executing the routine. It was amazing!

Applause! Congratulations! Flowers! I was so proud of myself and of my team. There were sooooo many times that I wanted to quit, but I didn’t. I pushed through the blood, sweat and tears, actually there was no blood, but I did lose a toenail. Anyway, I pushed through and it paid off.

This experience is definitely up there in my accomplishments. Even though I loved every second that I was on stage, I have vowed never to join a performance team again. It was tew much, y’all!

Where It’s Going…

My salsa journey continues! You didn’t think I stopped dancing, did you? My stage is now my living room and I will always be a salsera as long as my legs (and knees) hold me up. Thank you to my team, to my friends and to my teachers…you are all amazing. Vámonos pues! A bailar!

Watch the Video!

Guaranteed to be the best 3 mins and 44 seconds you’ll watch today :)

Don’t adjust your screens, it’s fuzzy…sorry!

What about you?

Have you ever danced salsa? If so, where? If not, would you like to learn?

Leave your answers in the comments below.