-
Real Life Stories
-
Six
Levels of Salsa Dancing
-
How
to be a Level 6 Dancer
-
The different
styles of Salsa and Mambo
-
Private lessons
for Men Vs. Women
-
Men In Salsa.. Women Beware!
-
Tips for nerves in Performing
Life As a Professional Dancer
-
My
Weight-
The Ups & Downs
-
Dance-
The Best Profession in the World
-
Dance Training in University- Not All Fun & Games
-
How I Got Started in Salsa
-
A
Pivotal Moment
-
Interview
by Edie Lewis
-
Finding the Balance
in My Life
Guide to the World of Salsa
- Men In Salsa Women Beware!
Article
1: August 2002
Article 2: Sept 2002
_______________________________________
Many have asked me to write about my life as a professional
dancer. I want to share my experiences with those who would like to know the road I
took and the obstacles along the way as well as the rewards.
I will update this page often, so please come back and share with me. I would love
any feedback or suggestions or
questions from you, so be sure to let me know what you think.
Almost everyone has to deal with a weight problem at some point in his or her life.
I was my heaviest when I was in my early twenties as a dance major in University.
People often found it odd that I would struggle with weight if I was dancing
everyday, but something that I learned, through years of pain about my body image, is that
my mind is more powerful and can affect my life more than any outside factor.
College, to me, was a very unfriendly, stressful, demanding place that was not much
fun. Basically, I was unhappy. I used food for comfort which in turn
caused me to gain weight (my biggest weakness was the oversized muffins). This extra
weight brought me more unhappiness. I could not stand to see myself in the mirror
each day in dance class, because I hated the way my body looked - it was the root of much
of my daily emotional pain.
I was very poor so I tried to survive on coffee, muffins, bagels and cheese almost
everyday. I also did not have great clothes or a great social life, so besides my
daily classes, I was sedentary the rest of the day studying and eating. I was 15-20
pounds overweight!!! ugh!
One month after I graduated, I lost 10 pounds. I felt so free and was dancing for
fun as opposed to grades, for the first time in years. I also got into SALSA at that
time and was sweating if off in the night clubs of Toronto 4 nights a week with my new
Latin boyfriend who I was madly in love with. Being in love, being out of my unhappy
stressful College atmosphere, and feeling free and dancing for fun, were the mental
stimuli for losing weight- it was so easy. I couldn't believe how hard it used to be
for 4 years- but it was all in my mind.
The number one, greatest factor in KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF, was learning how to eat
proper meals. My Latin boyfriend taught me to eat 3 meals a day. If you eat
until you are full, then you don't think of snacking in between. It was unbelievable
at first, because it seemed that I was eating more than before, at each meal, but it
really worked. Within 4-6 months, I was down 20 pounds!
Over the years, I have maintained this eating regiment, but have also added moderate
weight lifting (for muscle tone) and some fat free foods so that the fat content per meal
is lessened, making it much easier to avoid the ugly cellulite on the thighs (very common
with the women in my family).
Salsa dancing is still the number one greatest exercise there is, because it has the
aerobic benefit, the muscle toning and flexibility benefits, and the best part of it is..
that it is so much FUN! The higher the level of dancing- the more physically
demanding and also the more fun.
If I want to lose a couple of pounds, I just have to go out salsa dancing 3 or 4 nights
that week. Men & women that are salsa addicts can totally relate to this.
If only more people knew about this amazing secret, the clubs would not be big enough to
hold the number of people storming to get involved.
Viva la Salsa!
Josie Neglia -- June 22, 1998
back to top
At some point in my life, probably in my mid teens, I realized that I was put on this
earth to dance and to give to others through dance - either through inspiration or
instruction.
I, personally, get the most incredible feeling of inspiration or kinesthetic appreciation
when I watch gifted dancers & performers. I hope that some of my performances can
evoke those feelings in others.
Over the past seven years, I have also seen how my teaching dance to individuals has changed
their lives & enriched them in so many ways. Dance has healed their bodies, increased
their confidence, enriched their social life, and has given them new skills and a
wonderful new passion.
I read about the "runner's high" years ago, however, many may not be aware of
the "dancer's high". The "dancer's high", to me, is the amazing
feeling of fulfillment I get when I dance with a wonderful dancer and we achieve
a physical 'moment' where it becomes something else-
something much deeper, much more spiritual, much more sensational; a feeling of
"WOW".
I'm not sure everyone will understand this, but when I take a deep breath and fill the
top of my lungs, I get a great tingle and feeling of satisfaction - that is the similar
sensation of fulfillment that I get with my "dancer's high" (only 100 times
more). This is what has kept me "hooked" all these years.
I truly believe that I have the best profession in the world - DANCE AS A PROFESSION,
allows me to stay physically fit, perform on a daily basis, socialize and constantly meet
new people, have a challenge to constantly excel at a physical skill. It allows me to give
to others and have the respect and gratitude of those that I give dance to
while at the same time making good money. It is an
interesting business to develop & increase, it allows me travel and gain world
recognition, and it gives me the freedom to make my own decisions.
I am offering teaching courses this fall, in both Salsa and Latin/Ballroom dance.
Please visit my Teaching Courses Page.
Josie Neglia -- June 19, 1998
back to top
I have always loved to dance and perform. As a child, my sister and I would put
on little shows for my parents and it would be common to see me in the school yard
parading my dance & gymnastic talents with my friends. But my decision about
choosing dance as a career, came when I found out that I could actually take DANCE in
university. "Wow"- I thought, "I can dance and get a degree at
the same time? Fantastic!"
Well, it was not all fun & games. Taking a 2 hour ballet or modern class
EVERY MORNING for 4 years (whether rain, snow storm, or shine, feeling ill or well) was
very tough and almost took the "fun" out of dancing. But there were some
GREAT days and the INCREDIBLE technique and knowledge of the professors made it worthwhile
and easier to get out of bed and into class each day.
I was always a fast-learner in dance, and was accustomed to being praised. My
first year at York University Dance Program, ended all that. Not being trained in
ballet from an early age, like most of the other dance majors, I received a huge shot to
my ego. My Russian-trained ballet professor did not hold back any punches either -
she criticized and ridiculed me several times. She actually told me at one point,
that I should consider changing majors! Those words hurt me, but made me angry and
determined to show her that I had everything it took to be a great dancer.
One class, as we were doing grand jetes across the floor- she actually stopped the
class and told everyone to watch me because I had the "flight" and extra height
that the others were not grasping - I was on top of the world! I knew she was
watching my improvements.
I was always better in modern dance. I loved the freedom and the speed. I
studied Graham technique and Limon from great professors. I had many great moments
and "break-throughs" in those classes.
In my next 4 years at York University, I improved my ballet, studied movement therapy
(Laban), teaching courses, music, dance history, dance notation, performance and different
styles of Modern Dance along with all my non-dance academic courses. I graduated 4
years later with a Bachelor's Degree that I proudly hang on my wall.
My dance education has taught me more than just technique and training, it taught me
discipline and perseverance. I outlasted many of the trained ballerinas that I
started with in my first year.
I highly recommend this dance education to any dancer that wants more in life than to just
be a member of a dance company.
Josie Neglia -- 3/1/2001
back to top
Back in 1997, at the first world
salsa congress in Puerto Rico, There were five distinct styles:
1. New York style - mostly shines, and the dancers only danced to certain music-
they sat out many of the songs. They had very few partnering patterns and loved
showing their interpretation of the music with shines. Great influence of 70's
jazz in their stage performances. They had little torso undulations. Danced on 2
(based on Eddie Torres 123, 567 or Angel Rodriguez 234, 678- also known as Mambo
counts in the ballroom world)
2. Los Angeles - mostly partnering, danced to every song, many turns, dips and
drops. Very flashy and accenting all the hits in the music with a large movement
with their partner. Little or no shines and little or no torso undulations.
Danced on 1.
3. Puerto Rican (trained) - simple partnering patterns and a variety of shines
with timing changes, body undulations, sexy playful rotations around their
partner and much emphasis on torso and arms. Very suttle but emphasis on certain
steps to create effect. Definite African influence. Danced on 2 (to clave)
4. Felipe Polanco (based in Puerto Rico) with his own distinct style defined by
tuxedos, very classy shines with intricate foot patterns and very distinct arm
styling. His performance received a standing ovation. Danced on 2 (to clave).
5. South American and Puerto Rican (untrained) - Cumbia style movements with a
few turning partner variations, a few simple shines but a passion and love for
the music that they danced every song. Danced on 1 or 3.
The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Dancers were all seeing
the different styles and either mocking them or learning the things they liked
that could add to their own style.
The following year at the same congress in Puerto Rico, it was evident that many
had incorporated the missing components of their salsa style with the strengths
of the other salsa styles.
Today, each city's style is determined by the best dancers in that city, but
with all the congresses, many of the styles are using the best of all the styles
to create a universal look of salsa that incorporates the musical shines, the
flashy partnering and the African torso movements.
Josie Neglia- June 14, 2002
As a professional dance instructor for over 15 years, I
have to say that teaching private lessons to men verses women is very different.
Men need a much slower lesson, repeating the same movement often, and much of
the time is spent demonstrating their step beside them. Due to the fact that
they must lead, they must know in advance what they must do to execute a step.
Once they have the foot pattern, I dance the followers role with the man without
the music (teaching arm and body movement), then build up speed to finally dance
the pattern to music.
Women, on the other hand, usually require more dancing time than instruction
because after they learn the basic foot pattern and rhythm, they must learn the
skills of keeping the rhythm to the music, timing and following skills as well
as styling.
Couples are interesting, because each has to learn very different skills, so the
instructor will spend time with whichever one needs the most work to do their
particular task at that moment. Most of the time should be dancing with each
other so that they learn the skills with each other. The instructor comes in to
show the correct method, but most of the time should be spent executing it
properly with their partner, making them great leaders and followers.
After all, they are paying to learn the skills of dancing- meaning leading and
following any prospective dancer in the nightclub, not just their instructor.
Josie Neglia -- 4/9/2002
back to top
The year 2002: a documentary written
about my life called "the Princess of Salsa", traveled to over 25 cities
worldwide teaching and performing, business is building and expanding every
month. After 2 years of legal documents and interviews, I finally received
a special visa to be a permanent resident in the US due to my extraordinary
abilities in Salsa.
So now I have it all... a successful
business, being invited to teach and perform around the world, having a great
dance partner who is a loving boyfriend, making a great income that allows me to
live a great lifestyle, healthy, attractive figure that other women envy, but
why do I feel empty and depressed...
For a year, I struggled with this question.
I searched my soul for answers:
- was it watching myself
getting older in the mirror every morning?
- was it finding that my
friends were not really true friends when I needed them?
- was it that I wanted
children and time was ticking?
Well, I came to the conclusion that all
those things can make me just realize that I have to grow up and accept what are
the facts of life, but these were not the reasons for my emptiness and
depression.
I heard a story one day about a man seeking
the answer to the eternal question,
"What makes a women
happy?".
After seeking wisdom from wise men, the
answer was:
"All a woman wants is the
freedom to choose!"
It hit me! That was the one thing
missing in my life.
With all the pulling from people asking me
to teach, do shows, do favors, show up here, run for the airport, take care of
business, return this phone call, answer that important e-mail, make a decision
here, make sure you fit that into your schedule...etc. I realized that the one
thing that was causing my misery was my lack of freedom.
Once I realized that I can decide to say "no" to certain requests, I felt my
first taste of freedom.
It took a lot for me to say no to many
requests. I did a lot of apologizing and explaining, I felt guilty that I
was letting people down, but now that I have freed up some time in my life, I am
doing the simple things that bring me peace of mind. I love taking walks
in the sunshine and sleeping in a few days a week, I feel like I am "really
living" for the first time in years.
I have been a workaholic for many years.
I was up till all hours of many nights working on my website, marketing, writing my
next newsletter, designing my new flyer for an upcoming event, phone calls,
to-do lists in every corner of the house. There were days when I never left the house
working on the computer, rehearsing for my next video, listening to motivational tapes and
reading self-help books. I loved learning new things about business, how
to succeed, getting faster results, and becoming more powerful. I worked
from my in-home office.
It got so stressful that if I ever went out,
there were times that I didn't want to go home, because it was my workplace- I
had no place to rest.
Salsa started as my passion and freedom away
from all the stresses of other areas of my life. However, when I decided
to make salsa my full time job, hobby and passion, it took a couple of years for
me to realize that when your work and your play are the same thing, it all
starts to melt into one thing- work! And everyone knows, work all the
time, makes for a very miserable existence.
Changing my ways...
I moved my office to another location near
my home and separated my home computer from the rest of my living space to
create two distinct areas: a quiet work area and a peaceful rest area.
Now that I have worked hard for so many
years, I want to enjoy the rewards of my labor, not work harder. I want to
breathe a sigh of relief and pat myself on the back for a job well done.
But I'll admit, I still find it hard to totally relax.
I realized I needed balance. Freedom to
do what I want to do and rest when I want to rest. Now I dance when I want
to dance and enjoy it more!
I go for walks everyday, work out at the
gym, eat healthy, spend only a few hours a day on the computer, assign tasks to
others and journal every other day. I am making the effort to keep
thinking about the important things in life: love, peace, nature, family,
laughter and rest.
Life is so short. We only have one life
here- lets make it the best we can!
--Josie Neglia May 2, 2002
back to top
Tips for Nerves in
Performing
I always get butterflies in my stomach before almost all of my performances. I think this means that
I care about doing my best. Here are my tricks to overcome the jitters on stage:
1. Many times before your event, close your eyes and go through he entire routine, without interruption, perfectly! This will give you a psychological confidence. Don't imagine mistakes or mishaps, it makes you more nervous.
2. Practice enough before your event so that you and your partner can do the routine flawlessly at least 10 times.
3. Get plenty of rest the day of your event so that you will have energy for the stage.
4. Get dressed and WARMED UP (very important for muscle control, balance and speed) at least 1 to 2 hours before you go on.
5. My partner and I always say a little prayer (out loud) before we go on. This connects us and calms us down before we present ourselves on stage.
6. Once you get on stage, you are performing. Smile or be in character every moment and have fun projecting to the crowd and to your partner. The audience feels your tension but also feels your excitement. So have fun showing off the skills that God has given you.
I hope this helps you. It works for me.
--Josie
October 2002
back to top
|
Toll FREE 1-877-725-
JAN
