Salsa Classes – How To Feel More Confident
Whether you are taking your first Salsa class or have been dancing for a while, one of the things I get asked about the most is how to gain more confidence on the dance floor. I was an insecure dancer for a long time. I wish I was given this advice when I started dancing. So here are three tips for how to feel more confident in Salsa classes.
Remember You Are NOT Alone
When I was a Salsa student and I messed up my right turn or cross-body lead, I thought I was the only one. I believed followers hated dancing with me. As an instructor, I’ve noticed everyone is struggling. We all have those moments of self-doubt and that inner voice that whispers our insecurities. You have to remind yourself that everyone is feeling the same way.
After teaching for over eight years, I often go up to a student and I see them feeling a little bit ashamed that they’re struggling with something. I always tell them five other dancers are struggling with the same thing. Mindset is key. You don’t have to nail the move on your first try. But are you getting a bit better? Did you make it 1%, 2% or 5% better? That’s the win. So remind yourself that you are NOT alone. It sounds simple but it is one way you can have more confidence in Salsa classes.
Go Social Dancing
I waited until Level Four Salsa before I dared to go social dancing. Even then I felt overwhelmed. But think of it this way – you can’t get fit if you only go to the gym once a week. Dancing is the same. I start to encourage my students to go out dancing when they are in Level One.
You need experience on the dance floor, practicing and making mistakes to improve. So go out to the school socials. At Toronto Dance Salsa we run socials three times a month. Click here to see the schedule. Or click here to learn more about all the different options for social dancing. You will make mistakes – everyone does but you will learn. At first, you might be uncomfortable, but it will help. Confidence comes from competence.
Ask for Help
Recently, I’ve been calling students and checking in on them. And my final question at the end of the call is, “How can I best serve you?” Students have been asking all kinds of questions. Anything from how to improve turns, to how to ask someone to dance, to very specific moves. Asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak, it means you want to be even stronger. So when you are in class and the instructor and the assistants walk around – raise your hand, and ask for help! Nothing is gained or learned alone. It can help make your learning curve easier. The more you learn and the more competent you are, the more confidence you will have. So it all works together.
Remember you are not alone – everyone feels lost sometimes. And go social dancing and ask for help to build your confidence. At least some of that is probably outside of your comfort zone but I promise it will help build your confidence in Salsa classes.
Click here to check our current schedule.
If you have any questions you would like me to answer here are some ways you can contact me: message me on Instagram (torontodanceSalsa), on Twitter (#torontodanceSalsa), on Facebook (Toronto Dance Salsa) or email me at [email protected].
