The Salsa Brava Workshop
Experience
About a month ago I went to my first salsa workshop. Lots of people have
been encouraging me to attend one so I finally decided to give it try. This
workshop was held by the famous dance company Salsa Brava in L.A. Many of
their instructors have won major competitions, been in commercials and
movies. So, who wouldn't want to learn from some of the best.

The workshop was scheduled to last all day and offered different types of
classes. I thought I would beat the crowd and arrive early. It seems
everyone else had the same idea. When I arrived their was a mob of people.
After I signed in, got stamped and, categorized I did the people watching
thing. I was hoping to find a familiar face but as it turned out I was on
my own. Checking out the crowd of people you can see and imagine all kind
of things. Some guys dressed in clothing that resembled pajamas and had on
Air Jordans, I thought "beginner" who in their right mind would dance in
basketball shoes? Then there were the guys dressed in all black. You know,
black shoes, black pants, black T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up (no
muscle either). These guys look like good salseros. I'd noticed a woman dressed in a nice looking very long dress, I thought, not a clue, and some women had dance
leotards on (nice bod) definitely good dancers. As it turned out my
assumptions were wrong. The guys in pajamas were really good and, the women
in leotards never dance salsa before.

The time to start had arrived. "Beginners go next door, intermediate/advanced stay here" one of the instructors shouts. The crowd moves like an army brigade given its marching orders. Once in the right place the next question on peoples mind is were to position oneself in the class. People with some experience filter to the front and those unsure what to expect filter towards the back. My personal advice, always stay in
the very front of the class. You can see and hear the instructor clearly and you have more room to move. If you're in the back the instructor is both hard to see and hear especially when the music starts and, you can run out of space.

The woman instructor tells us what we are going to be learning and now
things move really fast. We pair up and watch them demonstrate the moves.
We all smile and roll our eyes as to say "no way". We stumble along but
because of the instructors being very good and helping everyone we soon
were look'in good! The class was over as fast as it began, but we had a
sense of accomplishment and a lot of fun.

The instructors shouted new orders and the army was on the move again,
this time for what I personally feel was the most anticipated class offeredin the workshop "men styling". The class was packed! There were five
instructors for the class and each one showed us their own particular move!
It was great! As each instructor demonstrated their move more and more
hooting and shouting of approval was heard. The room was absolutely
electric with energy and good vibes .The instructors were really feeding
off the positive vibes! Definitely the hit of the workshop! Well, its time
for lunch break, I'll be back!