Yesterday, our usual salsa lesson had been taken over; we were to be taught Bachata instead.
While people who had danced it before were taught by some guest dancers (trying to find their names from old emails, but failing), the beginners were to be taught by Imogen.
Imogen was my first contact in Salsa. When I was looking for a teacher, a Google search came up with her. She wasn’t in a position to take on personal clients, so pointed me in Mark’s direction. The rest, as they say, is history :). She’s also always behind the deck on Tuesday. This meant that until last night I had never, ever, seen her dance. I was beginning to wonder if she could…
Anyway, the lesson was packed. I estimate around 40 people in the beginners class, and roughly equal numbers of men/women; a good crowd.
We learned the very basics: side stepping, back and forward, and a couple of turns (the ‘basket turn’, and a 360 to the left and right (for both) and a 360 alternating m/w led by the man), putting them together into a routine.
Despite a few wrong footings, I got most of what was being taught. It was fun.
The music they had playing, compared to the salsa, has more bass. And I enjoyed it more (perhaps that’s a throwback from the years of clubbing to doof doof?), though the dancing has far too much wiggling for my liking :)
It was commented, again, that I never hang around for social dancing afterward, and I used the same, ‘it’s my work’ excuse. That’s true, but there’s hesitation in asking work for an occasional late start due to lack of confidence in my dancing abilities. In a classic catch-22, it’s almost certainly the practicing which will build the confidence. I need to do something about that.
Oh, and yes, Imogen can dance, and do a decent closed-partner hold when 4+ months pregnant. Impressive.