OK, Enough Already.
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK

"Edie, how do you get motivated to dance each night? What if you just don’t feel like it?"

At one point, Salsa took up so much of my time, that even going out to see a movie got to be pretty unusual. "A movie?  I don't even know what's playing..." 

I’m staying home tonight. What a concept.

I don’t want to ruin my "Salsa Bliss" by forcing myself to go out when I 100% don't feel like it. Sometimes taking a break is the best thing you can do to renew yourself. We all need time for recreation. If you dissect the word "recreate" into two words, it is literally "re-create". We all need to recreate our bodies, minds, and spirits, even if it means taking a little vacation from something or someone you love for a while.

"Sometimes I’ll get to a club, walk in, and it just doesn’t feel right. Within minutes I’m outa’ there. I go home."
- Bev Short, Denver, CO

"Even lovers need a Holiday, far away, from each other." The music group Chicago so aptly put it.

If you’re in love with Salsa music and dancing, but start to feel the wear and tear on your body, take a break from it for a while. Taking a break renews the spirit. If you take a week or two off, or even a month, you’ll find your thirst for Salsa will come back very quickly, and sometimes more powerful than before.

Some people just can't stay away from the nightclubs... they're obsessed... it's the only thing they look forward to, to "escape" the realities of life...

  • I’ve seen people go out with terrible colds and flu, spreading it to everyone they touch and breath on.
  • I’ve seen people go out seven nights a week for three solid months. They are pale, have deep, dark rings under their eyes, and look like death.
  • I’ve seen people go out, dance one song, then leave. (what’s the point of driving all that way then?)
  • I’ve seen people go out pissed off, pissing everyone else off in their wake.
  • I've seen people go out, and tell me "I'm so tired." - and it's not even 10:00pm yet. 

These people would have been better off staying home, taking a break for while.

So what's my point?

BEWARE… The addiction of Salsa is like a drug – sometimes worse, especially to the over-achiever, type "A", compulsive - obsessive types. Doing anything to get your "fix" could ruin your life and your relationships. Be aware of this. There is something about the rhythms of the congas, timbales, clavé, and cowbell that are hypnotic. Combine the rhythm with body movement, add a partner of the opposite sex, and you have a recipe for physical hypnotic obsession. There is a whole religion based on this. 

There are those of us that need to treat Salsa like a scrupulous, and very powerful drug – something that could possibly take over your entire life.

My friends, remember to enjoy the other pleasures of life. The beautiful parks and their flowers, the majestic mountains or running creeks, walks along the beach, the plays, theatres, movies, a relaxing dinner, and spending time with friends and family (when was the last time you called?). This is important. Keep your life well-rounded, and in perspective. Most importantly, as the Bible implies, do all things in moderation – that INCLUDES dancing Salsa.
- The Salsa Freak

Letters:
Edie,
I know you probably get a couple hundred emails a
day, but I had to express my appreciation! Your link
to the site on Santaria shows a respect for other
beliefs that is far too uncommon in many people who
call themselves Christians. That's the kind of
attitude that sets me (a non-Christian) more at ease
with those in what often seems to be a hostile
majority.

I'm guessing you chose the site you linked to because
you know the site author. If the issue ever comes up
again, you may want to check out
www.religioustolerance.org/santeri.htm , or their home
page, www.religioustolerance.org , for other religions.
They seem to be very informative and objective,
unlike many sites affiliated with religions
(especially the pagan ones!) They also mention the
use of dance in ritual, which corresponds to what you
were saying in your article.

Thanks again for your article, link, and providing a
great site!
JeAnne Waxman, LMT