Why Salsa?

I've been asked countless times why I salsa. First, WHY NOT! My passion for dance began at an early age watching my parents glide across the hardwood floors in the various places we lived. They were happy & laughing as they moved to the music. Whether they were dancing to Big Band, Waltz, or their form of Tango I was fascinated with the music & dance. Sometimes my dad would wisk me up in his arms or have me "dance " on his feet. I was exposed to a variety of cultures & art forms.

My dance experience stemmed from ballet to jazz to rumba to swing. Apparently I gave an encore for one Nutcracker Suite performance. The "ham" in me is undeniably present. Perhaps that was the precursor to my fascination with Latin music & dance. Or having Marracas for rattles & Castinettes for play? The styling, flare, and individuality enticed me. My "Free Spirit" nature could be free to try experiment & explore. The music excited my mind and my body couldn't help but try and dance.

There was a period in my life in which dancing was a void. Life simply got in the way. I started sneaking in dance & music through dance aerobics & teaching my daughter & son the joys of combining music & physical activity. As adults neither share my passion for dance although music lovers. They support me in mine, however.

I resumed my love for dancing with lessons in swing, rumba, samba, & finally...salsa. I found what I was longing for in salsa. It was sassy, challenging, & flirtatious. I became hooked in 2001. It was exhilarating. I was able to combine physicality with music that touched my soul. Memories of smiles & laughter were re-exploerd. My skills were lacking so I set out to improve them with free lessons anywhere I could find them...Parabox, Volcano Grill, Heidelburg, Boogie Fever to two dance clubs in Toledo & one in Windsor.

Then on to formalized lessons and private lessons. Not even a car accident resulting in shoulder surgery stopped me. As soon as I could return to foot work I did. I think salsa motivated me to work harder in physical therapy to get back to what I had grown to love.
Having seen casino de Rueda by an Energetic Soul Dance Team I knew I had to master that art form. I was invited to join a new team and paticipated for 2 years.(I'm glad I did).

I fell in love with a Latino born into the music & dance culture. Many a night we danced until closing and then continued @ home until 5 a.m. We shared endless hours of conversing about our families,countries, & cultures. We parted as friends to pursue what life had to offer us. Hopefully, he is still dancing. He knows I am.

So, why salsa? It is in my blood. Maybe I was a wild and crazy latin dancer in another life....a salsera from another era? Maybe, it is just me enjoying the spicey, flavorful, creative form of artistic creation. Perhaps my mischievious & whimsical inner child @ play? Then again, it may be a bit of the "show off" in this salsera (Ballet days revisited!) You be the judge. Why salsa? WHY NOT!

So get out there and dance like no one is watching. Have fun with it and add your own flair. Who knows, you may inspire others to try it out.
Sharon