What Bachata Dancers Can Learn from Salsa

All Latin dancing is beautiful. While each has a different energy and vibe, there are certainly things Bachata dancers can learn from Salsa. I have been dancing Salsa for 12 years and I’ve been obsessed with Bachata for six years. I am grateful I get to do both of them at a high level and I’ve picked up moves from merengue, kizomba and many more along the way. I can’t help but be frustrated whenever there is a dancer who says Bachata is better than Salsa or Salsa is better than Bachata. These conversations are crazy. So here are three things you’re missing if you’re only dancing Bachata and haven’t explored Salsa.

Gone in 60 Seconds

I love Salsa because it’s fast! As soon as the song hits, my blood is pumping, my heart is racing and I’m thinking steps ahead. You start one move and the music is fast so you have to be thinking two, three moves ahead. It is exhilarating! Bachata is much more about connection and a more mellow vibe. I describe it like being on a beach with friends. Sure you can have faster Bachata songs like Dominican Bachata but there is nothing like a fast Salsa song to get your body moving, to raise your heart rate, to get those step counts in, to burn off energy and steam. The biggest of all is that Salsa is about speed. If you love speed, if you like action, Salsa is it.

Magical Tricks

Unlike Bachata which is more deeply focussed on connection, Salsa is about the tricks, especially LA Salsa which is what we do at Toronto Dance Salsa. When I was a student, I loved going on YouTube and looking up the latest moves and trying them out on the dance floor. My goal was always to create a longer and longer chain of moves. You can have lots of chains in Bachata as well and there are just as many moves to learn but in Bachata the focus is more on flow and calmness. Again, think of that beach vibe and mellow experience. Salsa is all about the tricks and the shines and for me, was always the mountain that I climbed.

I’ve Got a Feeling

When I am particularly frustrated or had an annoying or difficult day, I want to do Salsa. There is just something about that speed, when that music hits, I hit the floor running. It feels incredible! I can release my frustrations and annoyances on the dance floor. There is nothing like being able to turn off your brain because the music is so fast. You don’t have to think about anything else. Turn, reverse turn, dip, shine and you are already thinking about the next move in your chain. It is go, go, go. That is what I love about it.

There is so much more you can pick up if you start to do Salsa! Be open to learning different styles of dance. In fact, check out what Salsa Dancers Can Learn from Bachata to see another perspective. Each style of dance has its own personality, has its own community and they’re all beautiful. Explore all of them because I believe in my heart we can find ourselves, enjoy and learn from all styles of dance. Because we all #belong on the dance floor.

I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you come in week to week, have fun, connect with new friends, and let loose 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].