Salsa City Forum » Salsa Music and Dance » Salsa Styling Class for Women

Does anyone know if there is a styling class in Cardiff that I could go to? This is something that doesn't come naturally to me!

Hi Michelle

I don't. And as a man I have to say that I find most "ladies' styling" to be a frank nuisance. Distracting and irritating, getting in the way of my lead and throwing the dance off-time. Of course, this doesn't apply to experts, but experts don't do it, or, they do just a little now and then.

Most women who have done a couple of "styling classes" are ruined as partners, maybe for ever, or at least until they forget all about it and just dance.

There isn't a current styling class but Kate ran a styling course last summer - maybe you could persuade her to run another one when she comes back?

A few women overdo styling, but I don't normally find it a problem: I think one of the positive things about CBL dancing is that it gives women the opportunity to express themselves through styling rather than just following whatever the man does. Plenty of women in Cardiff style expressively while dancing well.

Susanna Montero - who is an excellent teacher - does a video on ladies' styling. Haven't seen it but I imagine it's good.

Er Hugh... What are you saying? How dare women style when they dance with you!?! All dancing is about interpreting and feeling the music, not simply "Following your lead". This is a LATIN, "Saucy" (ergo salsa) dance which DEMANDS styling. I would have thought you, more than most, would appreciate this point running a salsa website. If people don't like styling - take up ballroom and get out of the salsa clubs.

Another idea would be to take a couple of Latin-Ballroom classes. This is my background. Arm, leg styling and sensual expressions are as essential to the dance as the steps. OK it's a bit OTT for a salsa club but once you've got the hang of it you can tone it down. (keep the sensual faces for the bedroom though!)

Michelle - speak with Andy - he's the man (?!?) who can teach ladies styling. Either him or Cressida Childs from Bristol.

Another Video to look at would be the sex-pot Josie Néglia (stick her name in google). Damn can that woman style and not get in the way of her man's lead.

I'm complaining about "styling", not style per se. Of course, it's important to develop a pleasing style and some style elements, "Cuban motion" or the Latin hip-action, for instance, are essential to salsa. But the latin-ballroom look and approach to salsa appalls me. That is exactly what I'm against, so it's clear we're coming to this from opposite directions.

Ever tried it? I'm not saying DO Latin-Ballroom styling. But if someone is confident enough to be THAT outgoing and outlandish (pointy toes, big brazen arms and lots of fishy lip pouting - then it's not too hard to tone it down to an acceptable level for salsa and they'll feel comfortable to do it too.

Styling is 20% knowing what to do and when to do it, 80% confidence in trying it.

I'm not a fan of ballroom, but there's one former ballroom dancer in Cardiff who's amazingly rewarding/exciting to dance salsa with because she's so expressive. Technically she doesn't dance like anyone else I know - and I have to adapt my choice of moves and my lead to her style - but who cares if we're both having fun? Salsa isn't, or shouldn't be, just about the man directing the woman.

Think we're loosing sight of why I mentioned trying a couple of Latin classes...

Ultimately it was just a suggestion to Michelle that it might be another avenue to explore in her quest to learn ladies styling - that was all. Maybe it's won't work or be her thing or it may well be OTT but don't write it off without considering it, at the end of the day... as "appalling" as latin styling looks in a salsa club - it IS still styling and is intergral to the dance (try doing a paso doble without it). Try a couple of classes, then go to a salsa venue and adapt what you've been shown.

Here's my view for what it's worth!

Who is an expert on Salsa...? Well no one who claims to know what the authentic or correct style of Salsa is... that's for sure.

It is an ever-evolving street dance at the end of the day and style differs from region to region, country to country, even in Latin America let alone the rest of the World.

You are all correct in what you say, as Salsa is all about interpretation and some wish to add an Anglo-Saxon tint whilst others prefer to keep it Latin.

Personally I prefer less of the Stylised (ballroom fashion) addition and more of the earthy and grounded, which might make me old fashioned in some respects, but I like to think it makes for a dance that is closer to the roots and therefore easier to connect with the music... But that's just my take and how it works for me!!!

I would agree with Hugh that some styling like throwing hands into the air and being ever so precise with pointed fingers, toes for instance, can be a distraction if not a nuisance which can get in the way of a dance and make some people go out of time. In fact if it is over done (which invariably it is, again my opinion) it's not vary stylish at all. Of course it's different if you're an expert and you get it right on the point each time and you learn when it's appropriate and when it's not, but some people put their taught style into just about every 8 beats, which in all honesty as far as style is concerned is an unachievable style overload.

I'm not so up my own proverbial as to say, that women shouldn't do whatever burns their particular candle when it comes to styling and dancing, or that men shouldn't try to adapt a little to their partner, but naturally people gravitate towards other people with whom they are most comfortable when dancing and to that extent, I'm no exception.

Agree 100% with what you've said DJ. Again I only stressed the IDEA of TRYING a couple of classes. Michelle's origional point was about learning how to style and what to do as she can't do it naturally.

I've been to loads and loads of classes but personally can't think of a single salsa teacher who's currently around who's said "here's an opportunity to style and here's a couple of ideas on what to do" Because (and quite rightly to) the emphasis is on the dance...

So how do women learn what to do? Either go to a Pontin's W/E where they offer a class on it. Buy a DVD / Video of a woman doing it, or try to copy / ask someone who does it. To have a pop at a couple of latin classes which emphasise style as much as the dance might (and I stress this word MIGHT) be of benefit - showing a lady how to do a "hair comb" or where there are good opportunities within the dance that a "flaired" (but controlled) arm could be used to Enhance their own style. Instead of doing a normal "basic step" on the right foot, why not lead off with a syncapated "spring point" every now and then - it adds this magic word "style". But unless theses moves are a:- taught and B:-practised they'll either never be done, or they'll be attempted by someone inexperienced and look crap! As steve said "an expert who hits the mark and timing looks great" but you only become an expert by being rubbish first and practicing

Also, if men like Hugh (sorry Hugh but these are your words) virtually tell ladies off for inturrepting their lead and throwing the dance off time by practising their styling, then it won't benefit either party. The guy won't dance with her again cause she's messing him about and the girl won't dance with the bloke cause he's a rude, impatient, intollerant muppett! and one day fella's she might get good - remember that. If you rebuff her then she'll never dance with you again. (hell hath no fury...) I'm not advocating the type of woman who's a "one, two, three for me" or a "styling shela" to quote salsamafia but over time, controlled, well placed styling will enhance a dancer, but only if dance partners accept that others will wish to practice moves and ideas with a partner as well as have a good dance. Guy's need their "victims" to practice new leads / dips etc so let the lady have a bit of fun too ah fellas?!?