Finding Love on the Dance Floor

World Famous Edie The Salsa Freak Shares Her Insights

By Marcia Herrera

Salsa is like a love story, a fantasy.  We hear our lives in the music like Willie Colon’s “Idilio,” and Marc Anthony’s “Vivir Lo Nuestro” - songs that sing about love in a way we can all relate to and express our feelings through the dance.  But when those feelings turn into something more than just a dance, we need to take a closer look as to how far those love fantasies should go.

Known for her sense of humor and incorporating love stories into teaching salsa, we asked world famous Edie “The Salsa Freak” what she thought…

Should dancers date? - Only if they are mature enough to accept the fact that they will not enjoy dancing with each other as much anymore. There will be at least three other people they would prefer dancing with - but will not fall in love with. If they can take that simple fact, their love life with each other will be absolute "bliss". It is absolutely necessary that they give each other that freedom on the dance floor - the freedom to express with other people vertically, that what they wish to express horizontally with their significant other (whom they are currently NOT dancing with at that particular moment in time...)

Does dance help or hurt relationships? If they are mature, and confident in them"selves" individually, it helps the relationship grow stronger. If they are not, there will be problems. Major problems.

Jealousy on the dance floor. omg. This is "normal". If you dance more than one song with someone while your significant other is watching, be prepared to be sleeping on the seam of the mattress that night. No joke.

Tips for salsa dancing on a first date. - NEVER!!! Unless it is a blind date and you want to get out of it FAST!!

Seeing an Ex on the dance floor. - Give them a HUGE warm hug, look at them in the eyes, and say, it's so nice to see you! Then ask them to save you a dance later, and be done with it. You don't ever have to dance with them, talk to them, or befriend them ever again - BUT... you must ALWAYS be nice, and cordial. You never want to burn your bridges - unless they abused you physically and you had to have a restraining order placed on them. Then you should just leave the premises (been there, done that).

When your partner's dance skills are not at the same level as yours (example: A beginner dating a professional) - Sure fire for divorce, separation, a quick good-bye, or ... a long-lasting blissful marriage - if the non-dancer is mature enough to recognize that the "pro" is just doing their "job" and earning a living from it. (been there, done that... "doing that". .:)

Before heading out to your favorite salsa hotspots this summer, remember Edie’s love tips for making your moves on the dance floor, especially if you meet someone you really like!

Edie The Salsa Freak is a world-famous salsa instructor who has taught thousands of people in over 63 countries, being the first American to teach in 18 of those countries.  She is now living in the beautiful mountains in Colorado with her wonderful husband Nick.  She is still teaching and dancing.  If you are interested in her current projects, and learning to dance while laughing at your problems, visit her at www.SalsaFreak.com or her online dance and DVD store at www.dancefreak.com