| We've all done it! We've all Purchased salsa DVDs or | | | | you fail at it on many occasions, will help your brain |
| online salsa dance videos to aid in our local classes | | | | work through it. If you buy it, use it. Don't buy |
| and clubs. Getting the most out of the dance videos | | | | another video until you work through the dance |
| you just purchased takes a little time, effort, and | | | | videos or dance lessons you already have! |
| yes, planning. I wanted to share the top five tips I've | | | | Tip 3: Learning to Dance requires Patience and |
| learned for using dance videos and online dance | | | | Practice |
| classes to propel my real world dance skill, and make | | | | Watching a video or online lesson can be challenging |
| me the start of my classes. | | | | since there is no one to ask questions of. Great |
| Yes, now I'm a dance instructor, but it wasn't always | | | | patience is required, and a good sense of humor a |
| so. Contrary to popular opinion, I was not born this | | | | must. But practice is the key that unlocks every |
| way, and I didn't come out of the womb knowing | | | | door. Force yourself to work through the problems |
| the salsa dance basic step, and have perfect timing. | | | | that encounter, and ask your local teachers questions |
| Quite the opposite. I took salsa classes all the time, | | | | when you encounter roadblocks. |
| and I'm an ardent believer that even the smallest | | | | Tip 4: Yes, the quality of the video and DVD does |
| amount of dance practice or review can make huge | | | | matter! |
| differences in your skills and dance time. | | | | Yep, it's another tip that you probably think should |
| Let me start by saying, I'm a shopaholic. If it exists, | | | | have been the first. But honestly, working through |
| claims to help me, and is being sold, I bought it. This | | | | even a poor video, and trying to figure it out, helps in |
| held true for me in the dance video market, where I | | | | some small way. However, that being said, you |
| was an ardent purchaser of dance videos, DVDs | | | | should strive to purchase the best dance videos |
| (when they became available), and even online | | | | available. For learning to dance at home, you must be |
| lessons. I won't date myself by saying I started with | | | | able to hear the instructors (good audio), follow the |
| cassette tapes and VHS, because many reading may | | | | instructors (have them instruct with their back to |
| not even remember those. | | | | you), and see multiple angles (close ups of how they |
| I learned quickly that in order to get the most out of | | | | are actually doing the dance moves they |
| the learning to dance at home process, you have to | | | | demonstrate). Look for these first. Hey, I think I'll do |
| really take it seriously. It's not hard, but here are | | | | an article on choosing the best dance videos. |
| some tips that will catapult your learning process. | | | | Tip 5: Do you Dance via Remote Control? |
| Tip 1: Dance Moves Require Space | | | | Whether you are on computer, VHS, or DVD - you'll |
| You must create a space where you can watch your | | | | be rewinding your lessons all the time. You MUST |
| TV or computer and be able to do your dance | | | | have a remote control in hand, at all times. |
| moves. If you can't move, you can't dance. Spend | | | | Otherwise, you'll be constantly going back and forth |
| some time, and yes, rearrange the furniture. You | | | | to your TV or PC fiddling with controls. Yes, even a |
| must have space to move. | | | | PC or MAC can easily be outfit with a remote control. |
| Tip 2: Instructional Dance Videos and Online Classes | | | | Hope these tips help. For me, dance videos are a |
| Must be Watched to be Learned From | | | | huge part of my continued learning process, and yes, |
| Think this is a joke don't you? Well, it is said tongue | | | | I do continue to learn. Salsa dance is changing on a |
| in cheek, but honestly, just buying a video does not | | | | consistent basis, and I barely recognize what I do |
| convey the skills taught within. You must watch it. | | | | and teach today, compared to a decade ago. I love |
| Multiple times! With the newly created dance space | | | | my dance videos, and online dance classes, and I |
| above, you have to watch it, follow along, and figure | | | | hope these tips help you love them as well! |
| out the lessons. This process, even if you feel like | | | | |