Salsa is a dance style which originates from the Afro-Caribbean and Latin part of the world and it reflects the culture of this region. This dance spread all over the world and each culture adopted it and enrichened it with their specific elements. Salsa is a lifestyle, it has many health benefits when regarded as exercising, its culture is very interesting and the history of this dance is rich and each person tells their personal story through the dance.
Salsa is a lifestyle which reflects the personality of each individual involved in the process. Every person has their unique approach towards this dance and adapts the style in accordance with their personalities. “Dancers talk about the drive to continue improving, the connection with a partner as they step with swaying hips to the lively beat, turn, wrap together, unwrap and spin” (Valenti). Dancer who are of the professional level move fast and they might intimidate a beginner. People become addicted to salsa and it becomes a lifestyle they incorporate into their everyday routine. This makes this dance special and each person’s style is unique. Dancers can be amateurs or professionals, but the zest for life is what brings them together. They have their weekly sessions, but most of them practice salsa on their own as well in their spare time which makes this dance specific. It is also about socializing and connecting people. Salsa binds people together and the passion they share is overwhelming. “Salsa dancing is actually a mix of different styles from different countries. That’s how it got its name, after the famous spicy salsa dip that’s made out of a mix of different ingredients” (Coffey). This dance is like life because life consists of different influences and elements as well. The dancers recognize this and they cannot wait to show off their moves and socialize. There is much communication involved in this process and people feel the connection. Moreover, they are able to express themselves in the best possible way which fulfills them. It is also important to be in the presence and the moment in order to give full attention to details.
Latin dances like salsa are good for exercising and it is used for losing body weight and toning muscles. “The three weight changes, or steps, are performed in a four-beat measure. If there is no weight change, there may be a tap or kick. A break step may be performed, which is slightly longer than the previously mentioned steps” (Fitness Health). This is very good as a sport and should be practiced regularly and it is also a fun way of getting in shape. Both upper and lower body is engaged in this practice and it is also a cardio exercise. Balance and coordination improve as well and the flexibility of the whole body. Salsa is a good way of improving the mental and physical well-being of any person who practices it. “Salsa dancing involves a lot of spontaneous movements that can work a variety of muscles in your body, including the muscles in your legs, hips and even your arms. Unlike running, salsa dancing does not negatively impact your legs” (Fit Day). Therefore, salsa is a healthy approach to improving the level of the physical fitness. Salsa also gives people freedom to form their moves according to their preferences which is why it is a good way to have the individual approach to exercising. Dancing salsa helps burn calories and the body is in constant motion during the workout. Salsa makes hips more flexible and helps with posture.
The history and origins of salsa are interesting because there were many influences in the development of this dance. Salsa got its name in New York, but the dance was not invented there. “The term became popular as nickname to refer to a variety of different music, from several countries of Hispanic influence: Rhumba, Són Montuno, Guaracha, Mambo, Cha cha cha, Danzón, Són, Guguanco, Cubop, Guajira, Charanga, Cumbia, Plena, Bomba, Festejo, Merengue” (Pretell). The elements of these dances were used for the creation of salsa. The popularity of salsa emerged at the beginning of the 20th century in Latin communities. This style of dancing and music has been influential all over the world. The origins are from Cuba and it was influenced by jazz which came from America. “By the end of the l950s, many Cuban and Puerto Rican people including musicians had settled in the U.S., especially in New York” (Salsa Gente). In this environment, salsa was formed as a distinctive style. There was also a part called Spanish Harlem in New York where the immigrants worker on spreading their culture which mixed with other cultures so that a unique dance style would be created. These people formed various bands and the sound went through alterations in accordance with the styles it was affected with. The modern salsa as it is known today was formed in the 1950s and in the 1960s. Celia Cruz and Tito Puente were influential musicians of this time period. Salsa became popular with Fania record company which is dated from 1964. This record company shaped the music coming from Cuba to sound good as being the part of the mainstream music in New York. In the 70s, salsa became very popular and the artists who worked with Fania had tours in the Afro-Caribbean part of the world. During the 1980s Latin music was becoming part of the mainstream music in America. This music genre became popular in America and this popularity spread towards the whole world.
The culture of salsa is very rich and intriguing because it has had influences from the culture all over the world. The origins are Afro-Caribbean and Latin with Cuba being the central country and its musical and dancing style. The main Salsa star was Celia Cruz: “Celia succeeded in the developing salsa music industry because she accepted the marketing strategies necessary for commercial success. In the 1970s, Celia retained a traditional sound and style” (Abreu 96). The songs which she performed were related to the culture and to the entertainment and the social and political aspect was not incorporated in the lyrics. Therefore, the salsa style became suitable for entering the mainstream. Celia achieved such success because her approach to music was related to the Latin culture and made these people feel united and solidary. The Latin community was accepted in America and the oppression towards the Latin people was decreasing. Celia’s performance attracted people from various cultures and introduced the Latin elements into their cultures as well. The salsa dance has been taught in New York for a long time and it involves socialization as well: “the studio version of salsa draws on a number of movement traditions in addition to Cuban rumba and other Caribbean dances—such as ballroom, tap, hustle, and swing—making it a more culturally hybrid form than its hot Latin image suggests” (Bock and Borland 14). Therefore salsa implies the mixture of cultures and a way of socialization and communication.
The assignment process was interesting because I was able to perfume an extensive research about salsa which I am interested in. I thought about salsa and about its cultural influence as well as about history and about the benefits it provides for the participants. The research was helpful because I was able to read a lot about the history and the origins of salsa and about the way it entered the Western world. It is fascinating to see that people all over the world use salsa as a means of communication, exercising, socializing and stress relief.
Works Cited
Valenti, Ken. "Salsa dancing is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle." Connecticut Post 2016. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.ctpost.com/living/article/Salsa-dancing-is-more-than-a-hobby-it-s-a-7382354.php>.
Coffey, Lissa. "Life Lessons Learned From Salsa." Huffington Post 2014. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lissa-coffey/life-lessons-learned-from_1_b_5619300.html>.
"Latin and Salsa Fitness & Weight Loss Program." Fitness Health. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.fitnesshealth101.com/fitness/weight-loss/programs/latin-salsa>.
"Understanding Salsa Dance for Fitness." FitDay. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/understanding-salsa-dance-for-fitness.html>.
Pretell, Jaime A. "History of Salsa Dance and Music." Central Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/salsa.htm>.
"History of Salsa Music & Dance." Salsa Gente. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://salsagente.com/history-of-salsa-music-dance/#TheHistoryofSalsaandTimba>.
Abreu, Christina D. "Celebrity, “Crossover,” and Cubanidad: Celia Cruz as “La Reina de Salsa,” 1971–2003." Latin American Music Review 28.1 (2007): 94-124. Print.
Bock, Sheila, and Katherine Borland. "Exotic Identities: Dance, Difference, and Self-fashioning." Journal of Folklore Research 48.1 (2011): 1-36. Print.
