Beginners Corner!

Beginners Corner

9 Reasons Why You Should Join LDS Beginners Salsa!

You may wonder why you should choose LDS Beginners Salsa Courses?

What are the benefits?

1. GUARANTEED LEARNING!
2. You will receive a FREE Beginners Salsa Instructional DVD!*
3. You can REPEAT the course for a period of 12 months - FREE of charge!*
4. You are not required to have a partner.
5. Salsa is a GREAT way to meet new people and make new friends.
6. LDS offers New Zealand's most experienced Professional Salsa instructors.
7. LDS Salsa instructors are recognized and sought after internationally for their excellent teaching techniques and clear communication skills.
8. LDS created a Salsa syllabus structure that is followed by and recognized by all major salsa dance schools in NZ.
9. LDS Salsa instructors had major input in the structure of the graded divistion for the New Zealand Salsa Championships.

* Applies only to Beginners course, not Beginners PLUS+. Applies only when purchasing the full course prior to commencement. Beginners Salsa DVD not available with any other offers. Not available to casual attendees.

Salsa Registration

We were ALL Beginners at some stage!

No matter what you see or how you feel about your own skills - EVERYONE was once a beginner!

I still to this day remember clearly when I first started dancing salsa... nothing made sense! I couldn't for the sake of me hear the 1, 2, 3...! "-Don't you hear the one(1)?", my instructor used to say... "-What one(1)??!!"... She was refering to count 1 in the music so I know when to start stepping. I felt like I didn't have a musical bone in me! I was totally out of my comfort zone! Since I am a Latino, I was expected to pick this up instantly and be fantastic! However, I learnt very quickly that learning to dance salsa technically correct or any dancing for that matter is not something you are born with - no matter what background you have or where you were born. It is all about learning and repetition. Yes, it is true that some will pick it up faster, but the one who studies - eventually excels!

This is exactly what I did, "study" and repeat over and over again! I used to think, how come everybody else is learning so fast? Am I the only one not getting it? Luckily, I realized I wasn't the only one. However, with time... slowly but surely, things started to make sense and fall in place. I even remember the night when suddenly my dancing felt very different - I started to "get it"!

Sometimes you see 'hot shots' on the dance floor dancing amazing, well... they should to be dancing that well, since they spend most of their time practicing/dancing - while others are at work earning a living! Keep in mind that these dancers probably earn a living from dancing. So don't compare yourself to them.

You will learn at your own pace no matter what, just like I did. The more you worry about it the slower you will find you progress, trust me! Try to just relax and allow yourself to not know anything for a while; it won't be too long before that fact changes rapidly. Enjoy the process of learning and don't beat yourself up - be kind to yourself and you'll be pleasantly surprised! Keep your dancing simple and basic initially to build up your confidence. Then at a later stage once you can do all your basic moves (and backwards) in various different orders, you can start playing and experimenting with new more challenging moves and styling as you progress! The single most important advice for all dancers, is to smile and have fun when you dance!

"You are allowed to make mistakes, this is how you will learn. Ask questions about everything, this is how you will understand why it is done in one way and not the other."

Measure your success only by comparison to yourself and appreciate how far you've come - everyone else around you is far too worried that you will laugh at them to risk a sideways glance, so.... just relax.

Keep in mind that social salsa dancing is for fun and making friends. If you don't get it as quickly as you anticipated, nothing tragic will happen, the class will still be there next week! Its only a matter of time - so take your time and go step-by-step!

Ask for help if you're struggling with anything; don't be afraid to ask, no matter how silly you think it is. As teachers, we love getting questions from beginners because we know that it will "light up" a bulb and things will eventually fall in place. Everything will make sence, slowly, but surely! Remember, there is a good chance you are not the only person wondering about something, and the answer to your question will probably be helpful to several people in your class! Others will probably thank you for asking a question. If you belive you are seriously falling behind in class, then perhaps consider a private lesson.

Beginners FAQ

Do I need a Partner?

No partners are required! We do everything we can to have as even ratio balance as possible in our courses. Unfortunately casual classes are unpredictable. However, we rotate partners in class regularly to ensure eveybody get a chance to learn and try. Trust me you won't be alone.

What Do I Wear?

Classes: We recommend anything from casual attire to gym or dance wear. Comfortable clothes that don't restrict movement. Most people come straight from work and are in their work clothes, others wear jeans or simply casual clothes.

Social dancing: Comfort is key! Wear clothes that will allow full range of movement and that you don't have to stop and adjust every 30 seconds! Clubs are usually smart casual. Girls, if you are wearing something sleveless, you will want to wear something with shoulder straps to avoid accidents! "Tube" like tops can become a problem!

What Kind of Shoes are Best?

Guys: No thongs! Runners are ok for 1st or 2nd class, but not ideal. From there on, try wear smooth soles, preferably suede or leather. Avoid rubber soles that will grip the floor. Best to wear enclosed shoes to protect your feet on the dance floor or you might regret it when a 3 inch heel comes your way!

Girls: No thongs or sandles. Runners are ok for 1st or 2nd class, but not ideal. Its really important ladies to have a smooth sole, preferably suede. Don't wear anything that will grip the floor. Make sure it is snug on your feet and will keep your heel and ankle in place. Keep in mind that you will be turning, therefore your feet need to have stability and feel secure. This will prevent twists and sprains.

Comfort is important ladies, if they are not comfortable to walk around in, they are not going to be comfy dancing in! If you wish to wear flat shoes, jazz shoes or dance sneakers is recommended.

Professional dance shoes make a huge difference if you dance on regular basis. Have a look at www.puredance.co.nz for more information or ask us at your next class.

Do I need to maintain my dance shoes?

Yes, it is recommended to maintain your dance shoes so they last as long as possible. After all, if you have bought yourself a real pair of dance shoes it shows you are serious about your dancing, therefor you want them to last! Depending what kind of sole you have on your shoes it will require different maintanance. Eg. if you have jazz shoes which usually will have a hard rubber sole, not much maintnance is needed at all. However, if you bought a pair of Latin shoes with suede sole, it will most definitely require maintnance. We recommend you brush your shoes with a metal shoe brush to keep the sole "fluffy" for as long as possible. If you do not brush your shoes after dancing, they may become very slippery very quickly! I normally brush my shoes every time after I have danced or brush them before I dance.

Suede sole brushes can be purchased at Pure Dance on Queen Street for approximately $20. The brush is a true necessary accesory to your suede shoes. You can also re-sole your shoes if they have gone "flat". Meaning if the suede has given up completely and you cannot get any "fluff" up any more. Re-soling your shoes is a very economical way to get your favorite shoes to feel new again! Re-soling costs between $40-$75 depending on the type of shoe. Ask your instructor on where you can re-sole your shoes.

How does the 8wk Beginners Salsa course work?

At this level you will go learn all the elements and fundamentals of "linear" style salsa on1. This course is aimed for the student who has little or no experience in salsa. We start from the very beginning with all the salsa basics, rhythm & timing. We will then continue with the fundamentals of partner dancing, basic lead and following techniques, turns and how to put it all together into basic figures and variations.

Throughout this course, your goal is to learn the basic terminology, understand the 7 fundamental basic salsa steps and be able to lead (if you are the leader) OR be able to follow (if you are the follower) the basic figures and variations taught in the course, in order AND random order. The basics taught in this fundamental course are absolutely vital as they will follow you through and always be referred to in higher levels. When joining this course, you can repeat the course for free for 12 months. We feel this course is the most important salsa course of them all, therefore giving you the opportunity to re-visit and repeat the basics at no extra cost for an entire year to make sure you get it 100%!

Pre-requisite: None

Learn more about other Salsa levels HERE