Technically sound and frustrated.

[brujo]

So I finally had one of those nights where every frigging song was danced perfectly. It was happening a lot lately, where the moves flow into each other, the music just dictating 'this move, now!'. I knew where she was at all times, every move that I made came up right. The footwork was only off for a little, the connection was perfect. Technically, it was one of those level 5 nights where every move, all the connections, it was all good. I had those nights before doing Casino (Cuban style) salsa, but this is the first time that I has happened all night with NY style.

Yet the exhileration that I used to get with Cuban style was just not there. I know people claim that NY style is more technically sound, and there are obviously a lot more advanced followers in my city for this style. But it just doesn't feel right emotionally. I feel so frustrated, it seemed that every move was perfect, but just like two cogs in a machine, churning and churning and churning. So what the hell is up with that? Give me therapy, you NY salsa hustlers! Therapy!

 

[Sabor]

'to each his own' they say..

maybe its not the thing for u.. your thing happens to be cubano

maybe it will kick in after a while yet.. who knows.. it happens

what i'm saying is that... regarding emotional fullfillment.. so long as u got the technicals down.. there's no written solution ..just like chemistry.. who knows why w react to things the way we do.. or why u feel the tug from a person with no exceptional qualities that u can see over another stunning beauty..

but i'd go where the chemistry is .. if/when i can..

 

[borikensalsero]

I'll second Sabor...

It isn’t about the style but the fulfillment that we get from what we like that eventually makes the difference between fulfilled and not. You might just happen to be more fulfilled by a Cuban beauty as opposed to a New Yorker beauty. There is nothing wrong with that, you have your preference and what attracts you. A little side thing once in a while for a change of pace is good from time to time…

On another note, you know I get all mystical so, sorry before hand, here it goes… physical connection/technique/perfect-ness doesn't give anyone that ultimate high. It is something passed that, which I referred to in all the posts you and I exchanged. You have to get there despite of chosen technique or lack there of. If you want that deeper connection, forget about everything, stepping, this/that, all of it. Then shoot to let yourself out of your heart/soul and out to the dance floor. You must allow yourself to! why? Because you are not used to doing it to NY Style. That attached to the belief that sound technique in a style is needed to get there, only leads to the need of almost flawless before a deeper connection comes. Why? Because your mind is unconsciously still thinking better/technique/physical connection equal to ultimately mastery level and the way to get there. Even while you feel ooze out of everything physical coming together as one, you might not be able to get there. In order to stop the oozing of physically “perfect” dancing and continue on, the mind has to be so positive that the dancing is so “impeccable” that it truly goes blank, hence it stops creating obstacles and allows your true inner feelings to come out.

The down side of physical achievement is that while your mind is in autopilot during a period of set philosophy, it is unconsciously aware of that philosophy as means to reach the ultimate level of dancing, hence it is still processing information and thinking in attempts to get you there… It unknowingly will force you to reach a level of true perfection in NY Style that you might not have to finally allow your inner feelings to break free of your own mind’s obstacles. Then and only then can you reach the goal you seek from NY Style, for your mind stopped thinking how, and began to feel. Because of those reasons, you must either teach yourself how, even under flawless dancing, to let go or not worry about technique, for technique can only yield to more technique filled dancing and not the connection you seek.

It is obvious that you seek something further than just a perfect dance, that something, I guarantee you will eventually have nothing to do with NY Style or Cuban style but how well brujo allows his inner self to come out and play. Our thinking truly is what limits the sight passed the horizon and creates the sky as the limit. If you don’t see limit, if you don’t think of a given way, but rather here and now you will be able to reach the goals you so desire.

It might sound far fetch, but I believe that it can help you get a high from any style. Unless we want to get into the 7 little dudes that santero’s believe we all carry. One of them might just not like NY Style, then he will attempt to stop you, for which you must fight him as well. :shock:

 

[salsarhythms]

One thing that I can say is that based on our conversations here
on DF, you are a very knowledgeable person and truly love what
you do...

With that said, I don't think it's anything on your end, I just think
it's a matter of the chemistry not being there...for whatever reason.

I think if you try to force the issue, you'll just get more frustrated.

My recommendation:

1. Stick to what you love to do.

2. Don't force the issue, if it comes, it comes. Otherwise you'll be even
more frustrated.

3. Keep dancing without looking for that feeling...sometimes it comes
when you're not even looking...

 

[danceguy]

3. Keep dancing without looking for that feeling...sometimes it comes when you're not even looking...

This is something that I have to remind myself of many times. Its is very hard for me to simply "let go" while dancing and not worry about how foolish I look as a beginner.

My experience that I wrote about the other day is a perfect example...I was dancing with a lady that I had never really connected with before...in fact I used to avoid dancing with her for that reason. We started dancing...and some part of me just took over...I was leading her through patterns I don't normally do...and was even doing little heel taps and shine steps while I danced with her. :shock:

Every now and then I'd feel my subconscious mind going "oh my god, this is going so well, and I'm still on the beat!"...but I tuned it out and just kept dancing. Afterwards, my partner looked happy and I also noticed that a few other women had been watching us dance. I know I didn't look like a well seasoned Salsero, but I felt so connected to my partner through the music and that made it special for me.

On that note...its a wonder that it was with the last person I would have expected...on the first song of the night too...

You never know. :wink:

 

[salsarhythms]

Yeah that happens a lot.

I think it's something that everyone goes through and it is something
that's hard to let go of...

Sometimes it's simply a matter of conciously letting go. Everytime we
catch ourselves thinking about it it's like we have to say to ourselves
to let it go and replace that thought or feeling with something positive.

It does take practice to "just let go"...but once you do it makes a world
of a difference.

 

[salsachinita]

It does take practice to "just let go"...but once you do it makes a world
of a difference.

How true! :notworth: :notworth: :notworth:

It's not the style, but rather, how you feel (with your partner....a real person, not an organic dance apparatus :wink: ) during that dance.

I've been taken to a higher plane doing something so foreign to me, yet the emotional connection allowed me to be taken there (even if my techniques are far from perfect for these styles).

On the other hand, I've been through technically perfect, yet emotionally sterile dances in the styles I love & am familiar with.

Brujo, stay with whatever speaks to your soul.......!
(I'd love to do a little Casino with you 8) ....happens to be my fav)

 

[brujo]

Was talking to someone afterwards about this. The word that they came up to describe a lot of the dancing here is 'clinical', in the latin sense of stirile, precise, and highly skilled.

 

[salsachinita]

Was talking to someone afterwards about this. The word that they came up to describe a lot of the dancing here is 'clinical', in the latin sense of stirile, precise, and highly skilled.

I know exactly what you mean. We call them "robotic".....I've borrowed a term from DF: "cookie cutter dancers".

........ :roll: but when these are the only people present at a club, I have NO choice but to dance with them.........that's if they will dance with me :roll: .......

 

[MacMoto]

Was talking to someone afterwards about this. The word that they came up to describe a lot of the dancing here is 'clinical', in the latin sense of stirile, precise, and highly skilled.

I wonder if, as a leader, you could try incorporating some elements of your Cuban style dancing to your NY style to spice it up and bring a bit of flava into it? There's no reason why you have to stick to "clinical" just because you decide to dance NY style, right? I don't know how well the two styles would gel or how NY style followers would take the approach, but I know some LA style dancers who like to add a touch of Cuban moves here, where both styles are popular.

 

[Estella]

I started with a cuban style and at the beginning it seemed to me that NYS is not really "passionate", that it´s more tecnical and without feeling.
But later I tried to dance it and..... it cjhanged my feeling completely! I never abandoned the cuban style but I really LOVE this elegance of the NYS... and it gives me a feeling of a real passion! :wink: