Salsa in San Diego

The Benefits of Dancing Light

by Jemadean Dobrosielski, Founder of Salsa Pasión in San Diego

For the Follower: Dancing Light and moving herself (instead of making the Leader move her) creates an environment of independence coupled with agreement. When the Leader invites her, she accepts, and then moves herself to the correct amount of time.This instills his confidence in her and he doesn't feel that he has to force her. This gives him the freedom to lead without having to support or struggle with her weight.

“Periódico de Ayer,” por Hector Lavoe

It also creates an environment in which she is asked not told - (a difference?) She controls her own energy and momentum and doesn't have to contend with the extra energy from a heavy lead. She creates an environment of consistency and leisure in which she has space to throw in that elegant arm styling she learned in class, or be playful and sexy without worrying about being thrown off balance.

 “Social dancers believe that they can be creative only if they love life enough that they want to enhance its beauty, they want to bring a little more music to it, a little more dance to it.”

For the Leader: Leading Light and inviting the Follower to move herself creates an environment of cooperation and respect for the fact that she does have a choice in accepting the invitation. It establishes that she accepts the invitation by moving herself in the correct amount of time and that she is responsible for carrying her own weight.

“El Preso,” por Fruko y Sus Tesos

He controls his own momentum and energy, and doesn't have to contend with extra energy and momentum from a heavy follow, thus allowing him to execute more complex patterns if he chooses. He creates an environment of consistency and confidence in which he has the space to relax, enjoy the music and express what he hears through the dance.

"Social dancers don’t wait for everything to be perfect before they decide to enjoy life."