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

RUBBISH! Absolute RUBBISH! Arm movements are a method of expression INTEGRAL to the HUMAN RACE let alone salsa!!! They show exactaly how we're feeling. When singers sing, they use their arms, when people talk, they use their arms, when people dance they USE THEIR ARMS (unless their Irish!) There is NO SUCH THING as an "experienced expressive lady" (your words) who DOES'NT INTEGRATE thier arms in a dance

Just notice I've written "their" and not "They're"... Sorry, but that last point really did make me quite cross!

I don't know why the last point really made you cross because (as usual) the point you are responding to is not the point I made. To imply that I am suggesting women shouldn't use their arms expressively while dancing is ridiculous. What I'm deprecating is choreographed arm action that I consider to be "extraneous and idiosyncratic". It's just my opinion. Of course, women can make their own decisions on how they want to dance. They just shouldn't be too influenced by teachers who want to make an extra few bob with a "styling class".

But THAT'S they type of class women need to learn styling. Guys (including myself) would be very cheesed off if teachers spent a good 15 - 20 minutes on teaching wome "arm twirling" at the expense of everyone else and Michelle's initial point was asking where to learn about styling.

Yes, but in a private email to me Michelle implied that she thought she needed to learn "styling" to be a good dancer. My position in the debate is that that's not the case.

Okay, please let me put my perspective on this. You can ignore it as the abject nonsense that it probably is. In fact, you probably will.

Have you been to a "regular" nightclub recently and seen the way that the majority of people dance? The good old handbag shuffle? Stilted Brits moving back and forth terrified to do anything exciting or fun or that looks a little different? Usually the only people expressing themselves are the ones that are expressing the emotion "I've had eight pints and that gives me permission to act like an obnoxious fool."

For a lot of people I reckon it takes a lot to get out of that fear of feeling foolish and give themselves permission to move unselfconsciously.

Maybe some people do need to go to styling classes in order to feel comfortable expressing themselves, not only because they learn new things to do but because being taught these things makes it "proper" to them and they don't feel embarassed letting go and doing them.

If learning arm movements and the like in a formal setting lets people give themselves permission to do something more than before, then good on them. Let them pose all they like as long as they are happy and you can still grab their hand or other relevant body part when necessary, eh?

Yes, OK. I've said my piece. I don't want to shout anyone down. Your take on the issue is food for thought. But this "isn't this supposed to be fun?" response has a chilling effect on every debate it comes up in. Discussing it is part of the fun!

ADDED: Elena did a quick edit of her post, which rendered the above nonsensical. But I've decided to leave the link in anyway. ('Cos it's fun!)

Hehehehe. Well, I've taken the line out. And yeah, discussing it is part of the fun!

I'm going to bed now. Oh, and I promise that if I ever knowingly dance with you, I will force myself to hold back from perpetrating any Agadoo-like arm waving!

Wow ok, firstly Whizzy, can u recommend somewhere in Cardiff to go to Latin lessons, I'm desparate to start latin again but no where seems to do it! Perhaps I'll pick up a few extra style hints too!

Personally, I think one of the best places to find out about styling classes is on salsa-uk.co.uk, they do great workshops with the likes of Andrea Stewart who is fab. Also like u also say styling is very personal but not all styling has to be about flicking ur arms and pointing ur toes, u can be taught just how to move ur body differently which makes a massive difference...

Besides I would recommend women learning styling because believe me there are some men (particularly in London) who have a field day by just letting the women do their thing! Ever just been stopped and expected to do some funky footwork? Great fun but not if all u know is a suzy q! It's fun and challenging, almost like a mini dance-off.

Edie the Salsa Freak's styling DVD's are great too as she does some great moves that really put the guy in his place!

Have fun and don't be afraid to express urself!

Ladies Styling isn't simply about the arms! It's about the head, shoulder, ribs, hips, legs and feet as well. The arms are only a small part of the whole package. It sure looks bad if a woman is throwing her arms about at any given oppertunity and her hand isn't there when the guy needs it. But well practiced and occasional arm styling can look good. Some of the most stylish dancers I know rarely use arm styling.

Using your head to flick back or to the side, rolling or snapping the shoulders. Working on correct rib and hip movements and footwork. These all make for a stylish dancer.

Edie's styling DVD's are excellent, I reccomend them. Iris De Brito's Body Talk DVD covers some excellent body isolation movements to get your whole body moving.

Have Fun!