COVID was unexpected by anyone in this world. I would never have imagined. It has profoundly impacted my life and the life of everyone in the world. I feel blessed and shocked that my dance school and I are still surviving as we continue through this pandemic event.
I am so grateful that in the moments that COVID receded, I got to see the desire for dance revived again. It has been beautiful proof of the dance community’s resilience, which makes me believe that we must be responsible and cautious to continue enjoying our passion for dance. And so, as you’re going and venturing out into dancing, here are some suggestions I want to make for you to be as safe as possible and still be able to get your dance fix.
Tip one: Start with dance classes.
Although I miss socials so much and I miss traveling to different cities and dancing with everyone, I have to admit that socials can be a bit of a mess. When the lights go down, and you’re dancing with dozens of people back to back, It can be a little bit scary, so Salsa dancing classes are one great way to get to dance in as safe a way as possible.
It is right now, February 2022. As of writing this blog, we still mention that masks are encouraged in our school. Ultimately we want to keep everyone safe in our greater community. I understand the discomfort of wearing a mask because, as a dancer, I don’t want anything on my face. I don’t want anything blocking my breathing. So I want to breathe in and breathe out and dance and smile for them to see my smile. However, wearing masks is one of the things that you should consider as a trade-off. Suppose you gave me a choice between wearing a mask and dancing and not wearing one and not dancing. I’d wear a mask. Why not?
Tip two: Keep your hands sanitized.
If you are going social dancing, stay as clean as possible. Have hand sanitizer on you and use as much as you need. Make sure you use it between dances. Don’t feel shy about it because you protect yourself and your dance partner. Try to avoid touching your face, and before you leave a social, wash your hands with soap. Sometimes we forget, but washing our hands with clean water is even better than using only hand sanitizer to help prevent COVID and even the general flu. So, stay clean.
Tip three: Get proper sleep.
As shocking as this might be of a tip in a Salsa dancing blog, it’s essential. I remember that every time I’ve gotten sick over the years, it tends to be when I am most stressed, not sleeping properly, and not letting my body heal itself.
When I was going social dancing, sometimes even six times a week, I’d stay up to three or four AM. I had fun dancing non-stop, but I paid the price the next day. So if you decide to go to a social, get some proper sleep a day or two before. Let your body be as strong as possible to have a better chance to resist the multiple viruses that may be present in a packed dance floor.
Sleep is the most underrated and most important tool under your belt that you can use against really anything. Listen, I’m not a doctor, but I know my immune system is weaker when I’m not rested, and I am more susceptible to getting sick.
So, proper sleep makes a world of difference.
There are many more tips I can give gang as I’m constantly learning new ways to navigate this new world after COVID.
So stay safe. Whether or not it’s starting with dance classes or going social dancing, be extra cautious. Take care of yourself and your family, and do what feels right. Ultimately what matters most is you listening to your heart.
Sooner or later, we do have to go out into the world. We have to start to live and assimilate in the ways we can and dance. Oh my gosh!. Dancing has to continue. We can’t forget that dancing is also great for physical and mental health. It’s essential for spiritual and emotional well-being. It’s excellent for everything!.
One of the most amazing things I’ve seen is that COVID, hasn’t stopped dancing. It has slowed it down, but it hasn’t stopped it. You might feel like COVID is like that scene in the movie Footloose where they’ve outlawed dancing in the city, but there’s always a way for it to come back, and I feel blessed that our studio is still open.
We are still accepting students, and in a month or two, as things calm down, we will start our socials, and things are going back to normal, and Salsa dancing will be here to stay.
I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you coming in week to week, having fun, connecting with new friends and letting lose to amazing Latin songs. 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].
