Secrets of Successful Social Dancers
The best social dancers are not necessarily the ones with the fanciest moves. They are the ones who make their partners feel great.
You’ve picked out your outfit. You’ve got your dancing shoes. You’ve been practicing your moves.
You’re ready for the dance floor!
As we prepare for the Montreal Bachata Festival, here’s something worth remembering:
And that starts before the music does.
Start with the basics.
Fresh breath, deodorant, clean clothes and breathable fabrics. Dancing gets sweaty. A little preparation goes a long way when you’re spending the evening in close proximity to other humans.
Connection beats complexity.
Start simple: Get a feel for your partner’s experience, comfort and responsiveness before introducing more complex moves.
Pay attention: Listen to the music, watch the space around you and notice how your partner responds.
Make it a conversation, not a performance: You don’t need 30 moves. You need a handful you can lead confidently and enjoy together.
Be generous on the dance floor.
Be welcoming: Smile, make eye contact and remember that you can ask someone to dance, too!
Be encouraging: If your partner forgets a move, laugh it off together. There’s no need to turn a small mistake into a big moment.
Be gracious: It’s always okay to decline a dance. A friendly “No, thank you” is enough. And when you do dance, a warm thank-you goes a long way.
One last thing for everyone: Social dancing isn’t a classroom. Unless someone asks for feedback, leave the teaching to the teachers.
The goal isn’t to impress every person you dance with.
It’s to leave them smiling.
And with the Montreal Bachata Festival coming up, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put that into practice!
Put it into practice at San Tropez.
Build your connection, timing, confidence and social-dance skills in class before your next night out.
