Of course, it is possible to learn salsa practically as it is in every dance type. But in this article, we will try to bring you much more. Let’s look at what kind of dance salsa is, which is beneficial for both your body and soul. You will see that your mind has changed.
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Salsa performed in pairs or in groups is estimated to be of Cuban origin. It is a dance that is done with improvisation without being bound to routine movements. In many dance figures, the couple’s positions are reminiscent of their positions in ballroom dances. Salsa in different parts of the world, There are different applied styles. Each style interprets accompanying music in a different way. Likewise, there are movements that each style master has developed in their own way. The three main salsa styles known around the world are; It is Cuban style, Puerto Rican style and Colombian style.
What is Salsa?
Of the most popular Latin dances Salsa was first born in Africa in the 1930s and was developed in Cuba, influenced by American and European cultures. Salsa, a modern dance that spread first to America and then to the whole world, is named after the word salsa, which means sauce in Spanish.
Just as sauces consist of a mixture of various spices, salsa is named after it because it is a dance composed of a combination of different cultures. This is Latin dance, its origin again Cuba Puerto Rico and Venezuelan It was developed as a dance suitable for salsa music.
This dance, which was initially performed in 4 and 8 patterns, later turned into a dance performed in pairs or in groups, completely complying with the rhythm of the music.
Salsa, which is a social dance, has developed many new styles by being influenced by the different nations it has spread to today. Some of these styles are Puerto Rico, New York, Cuban, Mambo, Miami, Los Angeles, and Colombian styles.
It was very easy to learn because of its rhythm feature and improvisation. On the other hand, it is necessary to master, let yourself go to the flow of the music, and without hesitation to perform dance figures, which is not an easy process.
Salsa Styles
As we mentioned at the beginning of our article, the way salsa is made in every country is different. Although it is basically the same, everyone has created their own style by adding something from their local music and figures. Each style interprets salsa differently.
It has sites such as New York, Puerto Rico, Los Anegeles and Mambo, with Cuba being the most popular. Now let’s get brief information about them.
Cuban Style
This style emerged from the casino dance in the 1950s, male movements more dominant is the type. The African feature is dominant, body movements are prioritized and gestures are more pronounced. The Cuban style, which offers the ability to be done in a narrow space, does not include too much leg movement. The steps are taken smaller, the body bends forward and the knees are bent and dance.
New York Style
It is a style between Puerto Rico and Cuba. Its basic step is mambo. Steps are more concentrated in the center of straight lines. It is a style in which the woman often turns around herself and where the feet and leg figures are mixed. Today one of the most preferred styles is one. It is usually New York style performed in dance schools and competitions.
Mambo Style
It is of African origin and includes the local movements of this country. It is the style introduced by Eddie Tours, a dance teacher of Puerto Rican origin, in 1987. Tours defined this style as nightclub style.
Los Angeles Style
Complex in the style in which the woman is displaced linearly foot movements are dominant. Its choreographic elements and show figures are more than New York style. This style is taught in most dance schools in Europe.
Puerto Rican Style
Between couples the distance is greater. Therefore, a larger area is needed for dance. It is considered a sub-branch of New York style.
How is Salsa Made?
It starts with basic steps called basic in the name of salsa. It is a very easy dance to learn salsa, which is made in steps in accordance with the rhythm of the music, 1, 2, 3, stop, 5, 6, 7, stop order.
In order not to lose the rhythm while doing salsa, it is tapped to hit the ground in pauses, and the figures made when you are not in contact with your partner are called shine.
Before the basic figures to be performed in this paired dance, the male gives the command and dances in harmony with the woman in accordance with the rhythm. Many of the figures resemble ballroom dances.
How to Learn Salsa?
You can attend courses and take lessons from salsa instructors to learn salsa, which is an artistic, aesthetic and social dance. Of course, you should also have a salsa shoe to be able to take the salsa steps properly.
The most important point to be aware of is that you should not move your upper body while salsa. The rest is up to you, add and blend your emotions hidden deep in your soul into the most basic rules you know.
It is a male-dominated dance, the woman acts according to the commands of the man and can be learned in about 3 months with ideal practice. For this, it will be enough to take lessons from a dance school.
Let us remind you that there is no obligation to partner in dance schools. You can go and learn salsa without your couple. In addition to these, attending dance nights will be very beneficial for your development.
What are the Effects of Salsa on Human Health?
Let’s talk about the benefits of salsa for physical and mental health … You want to lose weight; But boring sports equipment prepared for specific body parts in the gym are not for you. Salsa is a sporty activity where you can work all your body muscles.
In this way, he can lose weight; You can have a healthy body. In addition, thanks to salsa, you can get rid of the negative energy accumulated in your body, and you can get away from all the negative events that stress you for days to weeks. You can meet new people and make good friends thanks to salsa, as it is a modern dance performed in pairs.
In this way, you will become a more social person and even your perspective on life will change. Immerse yourself in the arms of music with Salsa. Feel the freedom in your soul, the freedom in your body. Human health We can summarize the benefits as follows;
- It increases the mobility and flexibility of your body.
- It helps you to be more fit and vigorous.
- It allows you to stay at your ideal weight without realizing it.
- Since it is a very active dance, it helps you lose the weight you do not want.
- It allows you to have a stronger muscle structure.
- It is one of the most ideal methods to reduce stress. Not only salsa but all other dances are good for the soul and stress.
- It allows you to sleep more regularly and helps the insomnia problem disappear over time.
- It ensures healthier joints and prevents arthritis-like situations.
- Since the body is completely upright and controlled during the dance, it ensures that your posture is smoother in normal times.
- It contributes to your cardiovascular health as it operates all parts of the body simultaneously, in short, feet, hips, arms, shoulders.
- Being faster in your daily life can be done with the contribution of moving dances such as salsa.
- This dance, which allows you to both have fun and lose weight, increases the release of the happiness hormone, so it helps to reduce stress and prevent mental problems such as depression.
- It improves your sense of rhythm.
- It increases your ability to control.
- It allows you to socialize as it is a dance performed in pairs or in groups.
- It provides tighter abdomen, legs and hips. We can even say that someone who does salsa does not need to exercise extra.
- It makes your body look more aesthetic.
History of Salsa
When we look at the information in history, salsa is a mixture of American, African and European cultures. 1930’s We reach the information that it emerged, but showed its real development in Cuba. Salsa, which emerged with the blending of African local dances and Cuba’s marimba music at that time, was not accepted by the elite of Cuba at first. Even so, because he is of African descent dance style of the lower class was interpreted as underestimated.
In the following years, Salsa developed and established itself after taking its share from many figures including Latin America, Caribbean, Africa and Cuba. Sources named Frank Grillo in the 1940s A Cuban immigrant He says that he was brought to New York by the city of New York and then, with the contribution of other Cubans, it flourished in this country.
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After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, it has become a common dance thanks to the refugees who came to America. In the 1970s, it was This dynamic dance that started has a very comprehensive historical process in general. As we have just mentioned, it is not correct to define it as a single dance. It is a comprehensive and historical dance that incorporates the features of many dances.
