Wednesday,
Sept. 9, 2015
The Salsa Sisters of the Welby 7th Ward spiced things up
with some homemade salsa making and some salsa dancing (instructed by Rachel
Ellis). Just like salsa with its fresh
ingredients can be healthy condiment, salsa dancing can be good for the
soul.
Life Lessons Learned From Salsa
Summary of an article by Lissa Coffey (Lifestyle, Relationship, and Wellness Expert. Huffingtonpost.com 9/2014)
The wisdom of Salsa Philosphy:
-- Mix it up. Salsa dancing is actually a mix of different styles from different countries. That's how it got its name, after the famous spicy salsa dip that's made out of a mix of different ingredients. Mixing things up to create something new is a good thing! The combination as a whole can be absolutely amazing. Life is like that. We don't always have to be like everyone else, we can try things out to see what we like, what works. Whether it's adding new elements to a recipe or a dance or anything, we can always be unique in our self-expression.
-- Dancing is communication without words. The body is an instrument, and partners can tell when either one is nervous, unsure, tired, or distracted. You don't have to say a word, it comes through in the way you move. Relationships are like that, too. We learn to read our partners such that a sigh or the twitch of an eyebrow speaks volumes. We go through a dance with everyone we meet, but those who really know us can sense when something is amiss. The body just doesn't lie.
-- Take your time. Every one of us is going to have our own pace. We can't compare ourselves to other dancers, or other people. We need to be patient, and gentle with ourselves. Just do your best and trust in the process. When we keep going, we eventually get there. There are many paths to any destination.
-- Be in the moment. Choreography is like following a map. You know where you're going, but you have to be present for every step along the way. If you race ahead, or have your head in the next move rather than the current move, the whole thing is going to fall apart. Not that you can't recover! We don't even realize how much we're missing out on in life when we're not paying attention. Be mindful, pay attention, and you'll be surprised at what you can do.
-- Trust your partner. I knew that my partner was strong and would not let me fall no matter what. When he says "look at me" during our dance, it's a reminder to me to "spot" so that I don't get dizzy. At the same time, it's a reminder to me that we're a team in this thing, and he's got my back.
-- Keep your eye on the prize. From the very beginning, our motto has been that we are "in it to win it!" Now that I've been through all this training, spent so much time, sweat, and energy working on this dance, I realize that I already have gained much more than any competition win. The real prize is the new-found knowledge and skills that I now have. The real prize is all the wonderful people I've met who have share my enthusiasm.
-- Mix it up. Salsa dancing is actually a mix of different styles from different countries. That's how it got its name, after the famous spicy salsa dip that's made out of a mix of different ingredients. Mixing things up to create something new is a good thing! The combination as a whole can be absolutely amazing. Life is like that. We don't always have to be like everyone else, we can try things out to see what we like, what works. Whether it's adding new elements to a recipe or a dance or anything, we can always be unique in our self-expression.
-- Dancing is communication without words. The body is an instrument, and partners can tell when either one is nervous, unsure, tired, or distracted. You don't have to say a word, it comes through in the way you move. Relationships are like that, too. We learn to read our partners such that a sigh or the twitch of an eyebrow speaks volumes. We go through a dance with everyone we meet, but those who really know us can sense when something is amiss. The body just doesn't lie.
-- Take your time. Every one of us is going to have our own pace. We can't compare ourselves to other dancers, or other people. We need to be patient, and gentle with ourselves. Just do your best and trust in the process. When we keep going, we eventually get there. There are many paths to any destination.
-- Be in the moment. Choreography is like following a map. You know where you're going, but you have to be present for every step along the way. If you race ahead, or have your head in the next move rather than the current move, the whole thing is going to fall apart. Not that you can't recover! We don't even realize how much we're missing out on in life when we're not paying attention. Be mindful, pay attention, and you'll be surprised at what you can do.
-- Trust your partner. I knew that my partner was strong and would not let me fall no matter what. When he says "look at me" during our dance, it's a reminder to me to "spot" so that I don't get dizzy. At the same time, it's a reminder to me that we're a team in this thing, and he's got my back.
-- Keep your eye on the prize. From the very beginning, our motto has been that we are "in it to win it!" Now that I've been through all this training, spent so much time, sweat, and energy working on this dance, I realize that I already have gained much more than any competition win. The real prize is the new-found knowledge and skills that I now have. The real prize is all the wonderful people I've met who have share my enthusiasm.
Thank you RS committee! It was lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteFun night! Ate pico and didn't die, lol
ReplyDelete