Boost Your Confidence in Salsa Dancing Yearning for more confidence on the Salsa dance floor? I’m here to help. Read on for valuable tips to boost your confidence in Salsa dancing. Master Your Basic Steps and Count  Accumulating fancy moves didn’t automatically make me a more confident Salsa dancer. The basics of Salsa are much more important than any fancy move. The most self-assured dancers are those who maintain a steady rhythm even when faced with confusion. To gain confidence, focus on keeping your feet moving. One effective method is to count out loud while performing your basic ste ..read more

You are the story “You are not what people say you are, but the story you tell yourself about the things they have said.” Seven years ago, my mother told me that I wasn’t supposed to be born. Yes, that’s what she said on a phone call. “Son, before I had you, I originally had two twin boys.” “Wait… what?” That’s all I could say out loud because I never knew I had 2 twin brothers. I never met them. “Yes, but they died at birth, unfortunately. I barely survived myself, and the doctors told me I should never try again to have another child. They said there is an incredibly high chance of another d ..read more

The Power of Kindness “Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner Even when you feel like you have nothing you can still make someone feel special. Last week, I was training with one of our helpers at the studio. We were deep into some of the stuff I love helping with – advanced techniques, body moves and isolations. So as my helper and I were training, I heard a knock on the door. I was immediately annoyed at the interruption.  I turned towards the door and saw a homeless man named William that I have ..read more

Salsa Dancing for Kids First, I’m so excited for you and your kids! I wish I started Salsa dancing when I was a kid. Salsa dancing will help kids gain confidence that will spill over into every aspect of their lives. I also want to guide you and help you figure out the right instructor and the right school to help your kids start Salsa dancing today. Balancing Love and Challenge Even when adults join my studio, I think of them as my kids who crave love and a sense of belonging. However, if we never challenge them with new moves or combinations and simply shower them with celebration and praise ..read more

Three Things to Know Before You Start Bachata When I embarked on my dance journey, Salsa took the spotlight while Bachata remained on the sidelines. I must admit, I felt daunted by Bachata. It seemed so intimate. The dancers were so close, so smooth and sensual. It made me uncomfortable. In retrospect, this discomfort was a reflection of my lack of self-assurance. As I delved deeper into dancing and ventured into social dancing, I gradually grew more at ease. However, it took nearly a decade before I truly embraced Bachata. So here are three valuable insights that you should know before you st ..read more

Beginner to Intermediate Salsa Dancer Have you found yourself feeling stuck and uncertain about how to improve in your Salsa dance classes? I understand that struggle all too well. As someone who has experienced it, I’ve broken down a few quick tips that can help you make significant progress. Even implementing just one of these tips can make a remarkable difference if you’re aiming to transition from a beginner to an intermediate dancer. Stay Off Your Toes  It may seem like an unusual first tip, but it is so important. I used to believe that leaning forward would allow me to dance faster ..read more

Pick Your Bed “It is your choices and decisions that determine your destiny.” Roy T. Bennett Ever since I was 13 years old, I have had a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. You can use Google or ChatGPT to get the details, but the basic idea is that my palms and feet would sweat excessively. It was so bad that it created crippling insecurities about my body.  It affected everything I did. Imagine writing tests or exams and worrying about not letting your hand touch the paper because if you do, the papers will be soaked and your answers will be unreadable. On occasion, I had to ask for ..read more

How did we get into this mess? One of my biggest pet peeves is when my mom would give me advice or try to fix my problems without me asking. This Saturday as we are talking and I say to her: “Mom I feel so stupid, I have really let my standards go down with the business. It’s frustrating that I am still being such a baby about all of this…” Before I could finish, she interrupts and says “Son, you are not stupid and for all the things you want to improve on…there is so much you should see you are doing well.” “No, I understand that there is a lot to be grateful for but I don’t care about that ..read more

Finding Your Love Languages “When you know the language of love, it is easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you.” Paulo Coelho Gary Chapman theorized there are five love languages. Acts of Service is when we do something like help clean up or make dinner for someone. Physical Touch can be hugs and kisses with a partner or non-sexual touch with a friend. Quality Time is spending time with our loved ones. Receiving Gifts is exactly that, no matter how small. Words of Affirmation. This is when we let people know how much we appreciate them.  What are the top 3 ways you prefer ..read more

Give Kindness “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” Jackie Chan When classes ended one-day last week, I had energy to burn. I couldn’t fall asleep, so I went for a walk instead. As I got to an intersection, I heard someone yelling. It was loud enough, that it broke through my noise-cancelling headphones. Curious, I took off the headphones and saw a homeless man yelling in front of a McDonald’s and the 12 UberEATS drivers who were waiting for their orders. The drivers were trying their best to ignore him as he kept getting louder. He was yelling, “I ..read more