FAQ
<![CDATA[
Frequently asked questions about Paso.
What makes you guys so different from other Salsa schools?
I really want to learn, but I have no rhythm.
What shoes do I buy?
Why learn Salsa anyways?
What is a "Casino Card"?
What is your "15 minute rule"?
Q: What makes you guys so different than other schools?
A: Paso a paso dance co is the only Salsa dance school in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area that teaches a full curriculum of authentic Cuban Salsa in a structured and logical manner. This is not something we do part time as a hobby. We do not attempt to teach other dances. This is our specialty and we eat, drink and sleep purely Casino. When we are not dancing at events or training personally, we are teaching or inventing new ways to push our students to become better Cuban style dancers.
return to top
Q: I really want to learn this style, but I don't have a bit of rhythm.
A: As far as rhythm is concerned it can be taught, don't stress about this. We will give you the knowledge and framework for success. If there is one thing we know how to do, it is creating dancers.
return to top
Q: What shoes do I buy? What do I wear?
A: Wear whatever you feel comfortable sweating in. As far as shoes are concerned, I prefer tennis over any of my dress shoes. Ladies, unless you plan on putting in some serious dance time, don't spend money on dance shoes.
Here are a few guidelines :
Women and Men:
- Avoid abnormally long points on toes. They tend to obscure your actual foot displacement and do now allow your weight to shift on and off the balls of your feet.
- Comfort is always of prime concern, make sure your shoes have sufficient toe room, this is why we tend to choose a square toe over a pointed one, though I personally prefer the looks of a pointed shoe, over an extended period of time they will make your feet quite sore!
Men:
- A common shoe style worn is a square toe leather shoe with 1 in. heel. Sometimes called a Cuban heel. For comfort, I wear a black leather pair with a side zipper. I purchased them at Aldo's for around $70. They look stylish enough to get by, and are very comfortable.
Women:
- Arch support is a must. A shoe that contours your arch can really make the difference.
- Shoe with straps (ankle or T) are preferable to shoes with no straps.
return to top
Q: Why learn Salsa dance anyway?
Here are a few reasons to take Salsa lessons that come to mind. Number two is an especially vital concern.
1. Release stress through movement. All of us could use a stress reliever. I myself find it necessary to step out of my comfort zone from time to time. It is important to not get bogged down by a routine and rote lifestyle. Expressing yourself through dance movement often leads to a release of stress. Let the music inspire you to access the creative portion of your mind that you may not normally use. You may surprise yourself when this new flow of creativity spills over into other parts of your life.
2. Guys and girls, I often see you hanging out at clubs eye balling that person from a distance. You wait and position yourself strategically, staring and hoping to catch eyes with them. You feel that via some strange and wonderful magical force the two of you will lock eyes and they will approach you. Latin dance environments are great places to meet and converse with the opposite sex. Once you learn Salsa, you now have a pretext for your approach. "Would you like to dance?" sounds better than, "uhh...so what's your name?" Think about this: Every time you go to a Latin club and the wall is covered with observers in traditional cool guy poses, those are the people who do not know how to Salsa dance. It always feels good to be one of the few people going toward the dance floor when the reggaeton stops and the Salsa starts.
3. Salsa is great exercise. In class you will constantly be moving and dancing, in fact the only way to learn is by doing. Make sure you bring a water bottle to class.
return to top
Q: What is a "Casino Card"?
Every dancer who is a part of Paso A Paso Dance Co. uses a Casino Card to keep track of their Salsa lessons in the Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill areas. After every class you attend, one hole will be punched in your card. You are free to attend the next week or the next month. Your tuition is retained on your Casino Card.
return to top
Q: What is your "15 minute rule"?
We at Paso A Paso Dance Co. believe that music is the very heart of dance. In saying that, we try not to teach for more than 15 minutes without actually dancing to music. Yes, this makes the pace just a little quick, but ultimately you are here to learn to dance to music.
return to top<noframes>
</body>
</html>
]]>
