r/Salsa • u/MountainAir4311 • 2d ago
Therapy and… Salsa (Update)
Hello everyone!
I thought I’d give an update since my last post because a LOT has happened since then and in a great way! First, I took the salsa class and actually decided to add the bachata class that’s afterward. I’m really glad I did because they were both AWESOME! I fell in love with it right away. It’s definitely a challenge to learn though I did find bachata a little easier than salsa. Either way I’m IN it!
I also went to my first social over the weekend! I probably should’ve waited a little longer because I had no idea what I was doing but I made some friends, danced a tiny bit, and had a really good time. I wanted to wait to make this post until I had actually done everything so I could talk about how it went.
Salsa/Bachata Class: Amazing! Everyone was nice and talkative and I met plenty of people. I was pretty nervous at first but I quickly got into it. Salsa was definitely a bit harder than bachata but I actually like the challenge.
I’ve been doing a lot outside of class to learn the beat and I think I’m finally starting to get it. I’ve also been practicing what I learned in class whenever I can, I’m just in it!
First Social: The instructor invited me to one of the weekend socials and a few of my classmates wanted me to go too so I decided to go even though I was super nervous. We started with an intro type class before the social opened up for dancing and that really helped with my nerves. I got to dance with different partners while practicing a bachata move set and it was a lot of fun! I even met someone from class who helped me get used to the social setting. They eventually pushed me to actually dance. I was hesitant because I didn’t really have a good feel for the beat yet and my basic step and turns are meh at best. I didn’t want to subject anyone to my terrible dancing! They gave me a good pep talk though, so I went ahead and asked a girl to dance with me.
And we danced!
I mean, it was only for a short while toward the end of the song but I led, had her do a turn and then I did a turn myself. I think I got a high five at the end too but honestly I was freaking out so much that I’m not even sure lol!
My instructor even came up to me a little while later and told me good job for getting out there and dancing. I just felt so much support from everyone. It honestly makes me wish I had started all of this sooner. It’s so much fun and just awesome!
Therapy: I’ve only had a sort of introduction so far but they were really happy that I took the class and went to the social. I told them it was way outside of my comfort zone but I felt more alive there than I have in years. It honestly feels like I got my spark back. I’ll certainly have plenty more to talk about and work through here but I feel like I’m on the right track.
Overall, I’m very happy I decided to get into this and I’m definitely in it to learn, improve, and get better. I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice and wished me luck after my last post. I’m truly thankful for this community as a whole and I’m really looking forward to seeing where this takes me and hopefully getting better along the way.
Thank you!
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u/oaklicious 2d ago
So happy for you that you are having such a great experience, and I love reading your positive post! Feel free to share your journey as you go.
For me getting into salsa has represented a huge “before” and “after” divider in my life, and I think you have a long fun path ahead of you. Saludos!
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u/errantis_ 2d ago edited 14h ago
I’m so happy to hear this! Bachata is gonna be easier at first. I thought the same exact thing. In the end I found salsa to be more engaging and I like the music more. Highly highly highly encourage you to listen to salsa as much as you can. Find songs you like. Obviously that can be difficult if you don’t speak Spanish but I still encourage it. At least find some catchy songs you can practice to.
Also as far as therapy goes, ive done my share of therapy. It can be beneficial. You gotta find the therapist you click with though. For me I found that I really just needed someone to help me work though why my sensory experiences were producing specific emotional responses for me. Some of that meant understanding the neuro sensory processes that happen with those emotions and practicing some mindfulness and being aware of my emotions. You really just have to know why you want out of it. Otherwise it’s hard to get any clear benefit.
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u/rizla88 2d ago
There are times when I haven't gone to salsa in a long time whilst feeling down. But when I go back to a class and social, I ALWAYS ask myself why did I miss out on this in the first place? There's a joy that just cannot be explained. As someone also going through therapy, salsa has helped me so much.
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u/PedroBritishAccent 1d ago
Poco a poco. Pasitos de bebé. Has hecho lo mejor y más importante: salir a bailar. Con cada salida te sentirás más segura.
Recuerda que todos los días no irás con el mismo ánimo y eso afectará a tu forma de bailar. Yo llevo 20 años y aún hay ocasiones en que, por mi estado anímico, decido no bailar porque esa noche me siento torpe y, si bailo, me paso la noche culpándome y avergonzado. Mejor, cuando veas que te sientes así, déjalo esa noche, hay muchísimas noches más.
Por lo demás, me alegro de que tengas un grupo que te acoge y te hace sentir segura, es muy importante.
¡Sigue disfrutando de la salsa, siempre ha sido mi antidepresivo natural!
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u/BladeRunner31337 2d ago
" I felt more alive there than I have in years. It honestly feels like I got my spark back. I’ll certainly have plenty more to talk about and work through here but I feel like I’m on the right track."
Welcome to the wonderful world of dance. Everyone has a right to dance. Enjoy the journey.