This totally reignited my passion for this topic, and makes me VERY curious to know how many of you are having these experiences on the dance floor? If you are having them do they feel abstract to you? Aside from dance do you have another form of feminine based spiritual practice such as tantra? I have so many questions for you.
So, when we go beyond our technically great following, and we become very sensitive, able to adapt to many different styles, have deep empathy, our own musicality, and sovereignty as a dancer, we can then enter the realm of what I am coining for now as “high priestess following”.
Feedback is an amazing tool in our quest to improve our dancing. When we receive comments about what we’re doing well, what’s not working, or what we should try to change, it provides us with direction.
Photography: JS Almonte
Author- Rachel Cassandra
To keep up with Rachel Cassandra be sure to explore plenty more at KizombaCommunity.com, including more articles, instructional videos, and information on connecting to kizomba all over the world.
The reality is this perception of the female kizomba artist could not be further from the truth. In a truly beautiful and synchronised kizomba dance both partners are 100% invested. Each person is giving 100% of their energy, and both people are receiving the other person’s energy. They are a harmonious team, representing yin and yang, lead and follow, invitation and response, to create something that looks and feels like real kizomba connection and artistry.
Because Kizomba does not invite spectators. Infact, she discourages them. Tricking them with her supposed simplicity, she saves the subtle beauty of the dance to be shared between the dancers. Onlookers only see that bubble of calm which extends from their matching sleepy smiles, they don’t even know they share.
It’s a weeknight, you wander into your local club for your after work dance fix. Inside the dimly lit rooms the sweet sounds of salsa emerge, erasing the stories from that mid afternoon meeting. You slide into your dance shoes and let loose for a while. When you feel yourself getting into your happy dance bubble you saunter into the smaller, steamier room to get your kizomba and bachata fix for the night
The part of the deal which we often forget is the deal we have with ourselves. In many cases we do not get sick pay, annual leave, or any kind of benefit associated with more regular working contracts. ‘The show must go on’, has been tattooed into our subconscious, so usually getting sick is simply not an option. How many stories have you heard of dancers and artists performing ridiculous jobs even with serious injury or illness? Maybe we just love the drama of it? Or maybe it’s time to engage the power of our ‘no’.
Feedback is an amazing tool in our quest to improve our dancing. When we receive comments about what we’re doing well, what’s not working, or what we should try to change, it provides us with direction.
Photography: JS Almonte
Author- Rachel Cassandra
To keep up with Rachel Cassandra be sure to explore plenty more at KizombaCommunity.com, including more articles, instructional videos, and information on connecting to kizomba all over the world.
The reality is this perception of the female kizomba artist could not be further from the truth. In a truly beautiful and synchronised kizomba dance both partners are 100% invested. Each person is giving 100% of their energy, and both people are receiving the other person’s energy. They are a harmonious team, representing yin and yang, lead and follow, invitation and response, to create something that looks and feels like real kizomba connection and artistry.
Because Kizomba does not invite spectators. Infact, she discourages them. Tricking them with her supposed simplicity, she saves the subtle beauty of the dance to be shared between the dancers. Onlookers only see that bubble of calm which extends from their matching sleepy smiles, they don’t even know they share.
The next stage is that kizomba light bulb moment! Its that moment where you are dancing and in an extremely cliche fashion the whole world seems to disappear, and you think you might be floating. This is pure connection. You are having an incredibly special conversation with someone, and it can be with anyone, and last a whole song, or many.
