Two Left Feet Podcast

I am Conscious to go social dancing due to being overweight

This person was conscious because they believe that only the skinny and good looking followers get asked to dance.

Being Overweight, does not mean you cannot be a good dancer. I know plenty of plus sized dancers who are absolutely fabulous on the dance floor. I also know plenty of in shape people who are terrible dancers. Your weight should not hinder your desire to learn

if you are feeling insecure that also brings your energy down and makes you retreat into yourself so you end up not enjoying the dance as much and perhaps giving off nervous and uncomfortable energy. Giving off that energy can make people hesitant to approach you and ask you to dance. And this can turn into a vicious feedback loop. The good news, perhaps, is that it's something you can change over time.

The key is being a fun partner, and that has nothing to do with your weight and more to do with your attitude. It is all about attitude. It does not matter how hot/fit/pretty you are, if you have a shit attitude you are not going to get asked to dance often and you will definitely not get a second dance with anyone.

When on the dancing scene. Look like you are having fun. Smile. Nothing worse than dancing with a partner who looks like they hate dancing. People will much more enjoy dancing with others who show they enjoy the dance and themselves. Also, when you do go to socials.....don't sit in the furthest corner. Stand/ sit in an area where you will be seen! For the Follows - Ask the guys for a dance. I have never seen a guy reject a dance offer from a woman, no matter the looks.

Something I've noticed is that if you are new to a location. The more you show up, the more people become comfortable seeing you, and asking you to dance more often. People would rather dance with people they know are good dancers, so they don't bother with people they're not familiar with.

Start taking group classes where partners rotate. It's a good way to get to know other people. People will want to go to social dances as well and will look for other's to join. That way you won't be alone at a social and it'll be easier to get asked to dance by leads of your group.

If your physical appearance and health is important to you, you definitely should continue dancing as much as possible. Not only is it a great workout but it releases so many good chemicals in your brain! You'll end up feeling better inside and out.

If you are anxious about talking to people, relax. You don't have to. People are there to dance, not talk. Just smile and nod, ask the usual "how are you what's your name" questions, and relax and enjoy the dance.

From a leads perspective - I'd much rather dance with someone who is enjoying themselves and knows how to dance than someone who is gorgeous but not a good dancer or in a sour mood.

If you are just a little heavy/overweight - I wouldn't worry much about it but past some point your weight will unfortunately limit your dancing in several ways. Some patterns like hammer lock become problematic. This is not a criticism of heavier people, it's just physics. This doesn't keep me from dancing with them but it requires me adjusting my dancing style and patterns.

In my last dance scene in New Orleans, there are girls (and guys) who are overweight and are definitely considered to be excellent and sought-after dancers. So if your sole reason to stop dancing is because you think you first need to lose weight, then I don't think that you should. Continue improving your dancing!

Side Note: Also learn to switch roles. Leads that learn to follow are better leads. Follows that learn to lead are better follows. Being a more rounded dancer ensures you will always have someone who would enjoy a dance with you.

What Attributes Matter the Most in the Social Dance Scene?

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Rueda #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #Ginga #Forro #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

Best Colognes for Men, Best Fragrances For the Social Dance Floor

Timestamps 0:00

Italian Caramel Inspired By Xerjoff Italica - 00:21

L'Homme Prada Intense - 00:51

Haramain Portfolio Neroli Canvas Spray - 01:33

moschino toy boy - 2:00

VALENTINO UOMO INTENSE - 02:29

bleu de chanel - 03:20

The Most Wanted Azzaro - 04:10

Sauvage by Dior - 04:53

Kiehls Musk - 05:29

Side Effect Initio Parfums Prives - 06:15

Y Le Parfum Yves Saint Laurent - 07:23

XJ 1861 Naxos Xerjoff - 08:16

La Nuit de L'Homme Bleu Électrique Yves Saint Laurent - 09:20

Ardent Boadicea the Victorious - 10:17

Absolute Aphrodisiac Initio Parfums Prives - 11:19

Eros Versace - 12:10

Dapper Fragrances - Tom Ford - Oud Wood - 13:10

Dapper Fragrances - Margiela - At The Barber's - 13:47

Triple Vanilla Dream Cocoapink - 14:37

Fath Pour L'Homme Jacques Fath - 15:25

Top 3 Fragrances - 16:09

#salsa #bachata #kizomba #Podcast #brazilianzouk #Rueda #Tarraxinha #zouk #Passada #Ginga #Forro #lambazouk #Afro #latin #African #Socialdance #socialdancing #partnerdance #partnerdancing #Pachanga #lambada #dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

What moves and in which order should I teach my friends?

proper technique is the best gift you can give your friends. having to unlearn bad habits, can be very difficult and very dishearting.

There is a youtube Channel Called salsaventura. He has something he calls the six turn system. He explains that 80% of moves are based on six techniques (inside, outside, cross body inside/outside, enchufla, reverse cross body). You can do those turns with different handholds (single, both hands, handshake hold, right above, left above). In theory understanding this gets you 30 different moves. Then as a lead you can learn to do all the turns yourself to give the follow a break. I think that's the best way for beginners to get going.

After that I think you could learn cuddle position, hammerlock, copa, around the world. I think that's a solid intermediate dancer if you know all those things.

Also definitely add in some safety tips (peripheral vision, Safety is the responsibility of the leader, dance in your box or lane)

#Salsa

#Bachata

#Kizomba

#Podcast

#BrazilianZouk

#Dance

#Tarraxinha

#Zouk

#Passada

#RetroZouk

#Ginga

#Bolero

#Forro

#Lamba

#LambaZouk

#Afro

#Latin

#African

#Socialdance

#Socialdancing

#Partnerdance

#Partnerdancing

#Pachanga

#Lambada

#Dance

#Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet

Instagram: tw0_left_feet

Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

Superiority and Gatekeeping

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Rueda #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #Ginga #Forro #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Rueda #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #Ginga #Forro #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

what is your biggest turn off in social dancing?

For me it's "dead eyes". Dead, unengaged eyes. The look of somebody who is completely uninterested and completely bored with the dance. This can be very disheartening to your partner, if you visually look bored/apathetic/disinterested in the dance.

Backleading.

As either role, feeling their thumbs, esp if they're squeezing. There are some handholds that allow for feeling thumbs, but the newbies squeeze. If you know, you know.

As a lead. It's very challenging when the follow has the tension and frame of a wet noodle. A great frame is light-medium with elasticity (think like a rubber band).

On the opposite end of the spectrum. The worst experience for followers is usually very soft leads. When there is zero tension or direction, and then follow is forced to back lead because they completely directionless otherwise.

Some of the best advice ive heard for followers is that. If a follower is not sure what the lead is asking, They should do nothing (or just continue to do the basic step). In a beginner class, if a lead doesn't lead something clearly The follower should do nothing. If they lead feels like they need to tell the follower what she was "supposed" to do, very kindly say something along the lines of "then lead that. That's your job, to learn to lead it without words". If you are feeling more patient, say something less snarky like "Oh, I didn't feel that lead." Feel nothing, do nothing.

It's also challenging when the follow does so much flashy styling that it interferes with her timing/the lead. Less is usually more

Lack of spacial awareness. Everyone bumps into someone every now and then, but a lead who keeps trying to lead super showy moves on a crowded floor and keeps crashing me into other dancers is frustrating

Leaders trying to touch the followers face/head or pulling their head closer to theirs (and I don't mean leading head rolls and such). This can feel way too intimate for some follows.

leaders who are significantly shorter than the follow who try dips or other styling that just doesn't work with the height difference .

In salsa - the leaders who throw you around like a rag doll for the whole duration of the song. Non-stop spins and turns and tricks. And the whole time your arm is about to come out of its socket because they use so much force

Super advanced leaders who just do shines the whole time instead of leading and trying to create a good dance for the both the lead and follow. when a leader does fancy move after fancy move without breaks, when they don't give proper signals/preparation, and when they blame you for not being able to do the move.

When Somebody is truly off beat, but they are blaming you and saying you are off beat.

Flirting or being overtly sexual during the dance. I don't mind flirting if it's done while we're standing on the side not dancing but during the dance, that's what I'm exclusively focused on.

Biggest turn-off: Poor attitude (e.g. no smiling/emoting, lack of eye contact, acting bored).

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Dance #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #RetroZouk #Ginga #Bolero #Forro #Lamba #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

Top 3 Reasons to Learn Kizomba

Reason Number 1: The Music - 00:00:16

Reason Number 2: The connection with your partner and the music - 00:00:51

Reason Number 3: Learning a new skill - 00:02:35

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Rueda #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #Ginga #Forro #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

Should I learn Salsa and Bachata at the same time?

I recommend it. In my experience people who often wait too long to start learning the other dance at the social often end up not learning it and just sitting on the sidelines when all the other songs play. It may be slightly more overwhelming at the beginning, but not too much and your brain will adjust quickly. I had two left feet when I started dancing, and while I did struggle a bit initially I am now super grateful that I stuck with both dances from the beginning.

Salsa and Bachata are pretty much played at each other's respective socials now. And even when you eventually go to congresses, they'll most likely have both Salsa and Bachata. If your scene is large enough you may find socials that only do specific dances but most likely your scene is smaller and they will play everything.

One thing that helps, a ton of bachata moves translate pretty easily to salsa.

The more dances you learn, the better a dancer you'll become. It's like learning new dialects in a chosen language.

So I highly recommend you learn both at the same time. Especially because you can take a break from one and practice the other. I would say that they also enhance each other by doing them together. Your sense of musicality and your instincts to move your body and have good frame will be greatly improved with salsa. And that will carry into bachata and vice versa.

But I want to add that specifically for leads: In the beginner stage you may become frustrated. Trying to learn two dances can be difficult. I've seen many guys stop after one year of not learning fast enough. I wouldn't take it lightly: learning to lead properly can be pretty rough the first year. So please keep this in mind when you become frustrated. It is just apart of the learning process.

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Dance #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #RetroZouk #Ginga #Bolero #Forro #Lamba #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #CapeVerde #Caribbean #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast

I feel like I bore the followers I dance with.

He has been dancing for 3 months. When he is social dancing he runs out of dance moves. How can he make the dance more interesting for the follow? Followers should understand that everyone was a beginner at some point.

A lot of follows do not care about how many skills you know, as long as you're both having fun! If your face looks bored, then it's hard to enjoy. If you're enjoying the dance, so is the follow. Sometimes it's really nice to have a dance with more beginner moves, after you had a couple of advanced dances. The follows need time to breath. Don't worry, keep dancing and HAVE FUN.

A lot of beginners believe that it is the amount of patters you know that separates dancers. In my opinion this is not true. People will do 4 or 5 things and just add variations on top of it so it looks and feels different. The pro tip is to focus a lot more on musicality and less on moves; people can appreciate when they see that you are interpreting the song instead of just repeating moves that you memorized. Try to take the moves you have, add variations, break them into pieces, extend them and play with them so it matches the song

Some of the most important moves are 1: Staying on beat and on time. If your basic step is IN TIME with the music and you always know how to "find the 1", then that's going to make the dance enjoyable by default.

2: If you execute a: basic steps, cross body leads, reverse cross body lead, around the world, cross body lead turn, cross body lead turn to wraparound. If you can do these you're good.

Shines are a great way to make the dance more interesting. Shines allow you the opportunity to break apart from your dance partner and freestyle this can be very simple, something like a few turns or maybe a Susie Q, or even just your basic step. If you listen for a bridge in a song you can break off and allow the follower to have a bit of fun then link up with a cross body Lead. Side note: Not all follows enjoy shines, some get lost like a deer in headlights.

Finally please understand that as a lead you are going to have a hard time at the beginning. There are simply too many things you are learning. This causes you to look stressed and feel stressed and this is what follows are reacting to. It's not the complexity of your patterns.

So as others have said, try to relax, don't try too hard, and focus on musicality, shines, interaction with your dance partner. Improve the mood of the experience

#Salsa #Bachata #Kizomba #Podcast #BrazilianZouk #Dance #Tarraxinha #Zouk #Passada #RetroZouk #Ginga #Bolero #Forro #Lamba #LambaZouk #Afro #Latin #African #Socialdance #Socialdancing #Partnerdance #Partnerdancing #Pachanga #Lambada #Dance #Dancers

2LF Links

_______________________________________________

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tw0LeftFeet Instagram: tw0_left_feet Website: https://2leftfeet.blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2171874589599779/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoLeftFeetPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-left-feet-podcast/id1454425997 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bQSnwKDmHbDQdgnZ0OrC3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Twoleftfeet Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR109vJ4Pbl146Ok1u5vSuA Anchor: https://anchor.fm/twoleftfeetpodcast