Inspiration

As I write this, it's almost Christmas. I thought I'd watch some dance videos while I wait for the celebrations to start. Here are some dancers/videos that I really like:

I have to start with Marta Khanna. When I was only 6 months into salsa I got the opportunity to be on a student team and learn Marta's choreography for about 2 months. She has a great mix of salsa and hip hop in her dancing, which makes her stand out to me.

^ In the student group, I learned part of this choreography. Only 1:04-2:29

^ This was the first routine I saw Marta perform

At the last Boston Salsa Festival, I was introduced to this brother and sister duo: Junior & Emily. So many spins! I like their choice of music too. 

I love fun routines, like this one from Mambo Dinamico

and this one from Nery & Giana 

Right here in Boston is the amazing Ana Masacote. I love her style! And I love that she always looks so happy. I want to look happy when I dance. 

Lately, I've been learning about Eddie Torres, AKA "The Mambo King." This guy is pretty important in the salsa world and I'm getting to see why. Since he is based out of NYC, only a few hours away, I'll go to his classes at some point (after I get better at dancing on2). His whole family and group of dance friends are incredible! I'm still getting to know who they all are, but I know they are fabulous!

^ I love how they dance to the music! So good!

There are so many great dancers in the world and I'm only scratching the surface! I'm so thankful for sources like YouTube that help us share, learn, and inspire each other. Maybe one day I'll be inspiration for a new dancer? You never know!

Merry Christmas & happy dancing!

Cheering on my team!

Over the weekend I went to a salsa social to support my team while they performed! These girls are fantastic!

I've been training with Mambo Soul Melao (the ladies styling and technique group of Mambo Soul Dance Company) for a couple months now. I'm not performing yet; I still have a lot to learn before that happens. But if all goes well, I'll be performing next year. How did I become a part of this group? I just asked. I loved there routines and one day I decided to reach out to them. I'm glad I did!

"This new addition to the family was conceived by Marley and Justin in late 2012 as a creative avenue for our ladies to explore technique, shines, body movement and flavorful “Soulful” choreographies based on badass Mambo/Jazz/Boogaloo technique and a whole lotta Soul!!" - http://www.mambosouldance.com/ 

Mambo Soul is the most amazing and supportive group! I love their fun, retro vibe. And unlike a lot of other groups in Boston, they support women of all shapes and sizes, plus they support dancers of different faiths. It's all about skills with them. They know a plus size girl can be just as amazing, or even better, than the skinny girls. They provide such a positive environment to learn and improve. Monica, Marley and Justin are all great people with big hearts and I'm lucky to have them as friends.


Here are some more Mambo Soul performances:

And some social dancing videos:

Aren't they great?! The social dancing videos are all Marley and Justin. I'll have to get a video of me social dancing at some point. :)

LDS Salsa Dancers Facebook Group

I started a Facebook group today called "LDS Salsa Dancers" in the hopes of meeting more Mormon salseros. There MUST be more of us out there! I only know of a few members in Boston that like salsa dancing, and only one that might love it as much as I do.

I think it would be great to be able to travel to another city and know that you could reach out to members and ask to go dancing together. There could be more dancers in Massachusetts that I don't know about yet. Why not go out dancing together? Maybe this could even lead to relationships? (Probably not, but you never know.)

So if you're on Facebook and you are interested in salsa dancing and/or hanging out with Mormons, join the group! Wepa!

A little about The Mormon Salsera!

I’ve been salsa dancing for almost two years and the experience has been life changing! I’ve made so many new friends and have been accomplishing things I never even thought I’d try. Since I started taking lessons, I have been going out to dance clubs pretty consistently and I’m currently training with a ladies styling and technique group.
As with every dancer, I have my own set of challenges that I’ve faced and will keep facing. I’m plus size, so I have to deal with my own physical limitations and I am constantly disproving people that look down on me because of my weight. I’m also a Mormon and I want to be a good representative of my church.I thought I should collect my thoughts on the experiences I’ve had as a new dancer, a plus sized girl, and a Mormon, in case anyone can benefit from it. There are great blogs out there about being overweight, so I’m going to focus more on being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). 

How I got started in Salsa

Technically I tried ballroom dancing when I was in high school but it was short lived. The lessons were expensive and I didn’t have anyone to dance with.

A couple years ago I was trying to find a fun way to get exercise but had a hard time finding a sport that I could start as an adult. I had taken a self-defense class before and while looking online I ran across some boxing classes. Boxing is definitely a workout! And even though I was enjoying it, it was too intense for me. I was seeing spots in class and it was too physically demanding. So I started searching for something else.

Meanwhile, a cute guy at church invited me to go salsa dancing with a group. Even though the guy ended up being a dud, I loved the dancing. The whole environment was exciting!

In April 2013 I found a website saying that beginner salsa classes were starting the next day. I decided to take the plunge and sign up. The lessons were paid for, there was no turning back! And almost two years later, I’m still doing it.

Topics I’d like to cover

Clothing for social dancing and performances

Dance shoes

Being a perfectionist

Learning to dance On2

Being a plus size dancer

Being healthy…well, healthier

Performing

Dancing on Sundays

Opportunities to talk about church

Inspiration

What is Mormonism?