So many people ask me what timing I prefer.
For me it usually depends on the song. Some songs are easier to dance On 1 and some are easier to dance On 2. Some songs were created with the intention of emphasizing one beat structure or the other. As much as I enjoy On 2 or On 1, I enjoy dancing with people more. So if someone wants to dance with me, I want to be able to do so. If they want to rock a On 2 or groove on an On 1, I would like to be able to do that as well.
As much as I enjoy the groupings of dancers with a specific preference, I want to be able to dance with anyone regardless of which style they prefer. And if that means knowing how to dance On 1, On 2, Classic 2, Rueda or casino style I will do it.
Sometimes people just assume what you dance on. They see you dance On 2 and they may think “oh she only dances On 2” or “she only likes dancing with On 2 dancers”. When that may not be the case at all. Honestly, I believe I dance On 1 at least a third of any given night. Some nights it can be much more and some nights much less.
The one exception I have is Cha-Cha. Once I understood the musical relationship to the dance, I felt you had to ignore the music to dance it on 1. Cha-Cha is my favorite dance to do when I’m in an expressive mood. It is a dialogue of music when paired with the dance becomes an intimate conversation between you, the dance, the music and your partner(hopefully).
At the end of the night what matters most is our reasoning for dancing.
Is it to have a good time?
Is it to meet people outside of work?
Is it to relax or taking a mini vacation from the daily grind of life?
Whatever your reasoning for dancing Identify it. Then ask yourself if it matters what beat you are dancing on to achieve this.
See you on the dance floor,
Denita
