Beginner salsa class in Brooklyn.
Salsa Dancing. Becoming a Better Follower:
I’m a proud, strong, independent Hispanic woman. My leader on the dance floor could care less. All he wants to do is lead me on the dance floor without a fight. Ladies, I know that this can be difficult being who we are, but it really is just a matter of letting go, and putting our trust in our leader.
To be a great follower we must remember that we have the easy job. We don’t have to think or worry about anything except the music and styling. We just get to enjoy the ride. Let him think about the steps. Most of the time followers think way too much. We try to guess what the leader wants us to do. Most of the time we are wrong. We try to read his mind and anticipate his moves. We need to relax and not think. We need to feel and see what our leader wants from us. When he is relaxed you should be relaxed. When he give you tension you give it back.
A follower needs to pay attention and look at the leader. Don’t look at his feet, your feet or the floor. Keep your head up and pay attention to his torso and lead signals. A follower shouldn’t try to help. Hopefully he knows what he wants and how to lead you there. If you’re not sure what to do, the default step is your basic in place.
A follower needs to relax. Don’t get tense or grab for dear life. Don’t grab his hands. Keep your palms facing down, elbows in front and away from your body in a good salsa dance posture. When you are tense and grabbing the dance becomes more like a shoving match and less like salsa dancing.
Finally. Have the right attitude. Don’t be a miss know it all. If you get a leader at a lower level than you are, let him lead his steps. Don’t start doing whatever you want. That’s bad following. Like Penny told Baby in “Dirty Dancing,” “Let him lead You” So don’t be the Baby at the beginning of the movie, be the Baby at the end. She had the time of her life.
Please view some of our salsa dancing and salsa lessons on our Youtube channel.