Shaping Our Dancing Experience
Dancing Together: A Note on Respect and Enjoyment
The following suggestions open the way for dancing to become not just movement, but a shared language of kindness and connection.
Invitation to Dance
… is no longer a privilege reserved for men.
When inviting someone to dance, a simple glance (mirada) does not necessarily mean that the other person wishes to dance. Only a mutual nod (cabeceo) confirms that both people would like to dance together.
This mutual understanding allows us to enjoy friendly eye contact without creating any obligation to dance.
Sitting to the side may be understood as a wish to rest, while standing near the entrance may be interpreted as a sign of wanting to dance.
Entering the Dance Floor
… begins by asking the leader of the couple to your left in the Ronda for permission to enter, again through a nod or an inviting hand gesture. Simply exchanging glances does not constitute an agreement – please be mindful of this.
If the couple prefers not to make space in front of them, we respect their decision. There may be very good reasons.
Slipping in from the side between other couples or pushing your way through disrupts the flow of the Ronda, and we'd like to avoid that.
If you'd like to dance but the piece of music is already halfway through and the floor is full, you've missed the train – it's already left the station.
Rather than rushing onto the floor and disturbing the flow of the Ronda, take a moment to enjoy the music and join with your partner for the next piece.
When entering, move promptly towards the furthest available open space ahead, without disturbing other couples – even if that means crossing the floor. This allows several couples to enter smoothly without creating a bottleneck.
The Ronda
Once on the dance floor, we become part of something larger – the Ronda.
We can imagine it as one larger dancing body, in which leaders subtly attune themselves to one another, creating a shared rhythm and flow.
It's worth asking ourselves: What makes dancing in front of or behind certain couples enjoyable? And what makes it stressful?
Simply reflecting on these questions can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
The Ronda is – like life – dynamic: sometimes moving forward, sometimes dancing more in place, but never moving backwards or taking shortcuts.
During the Tanda
… conversations on the dance floor between songs are best kept brief.
There is always time to talk away from the dance floor. A tanda, however, is an opportunity to connect with your partner and immerse yourselves in the music.
Keeping conversations brief is also a gesture of respect towards the musicians, the DJ and the other dancers.
At the End of the Tanda
… we accompany our partner back to the place where we originally agreed to dance.
It's a small gesture of appreciation that brings the tanda to a graceful close.
___
These suggestions are not meant to be restrictive rules.
Rather, we can see them as social skills – expressions of awareness, kindness and mutual respect that help us create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, welcome and free to enjoy dancing together.
You are warmly invited to join us on Facebook.
Shaping Our Dancing Experience
Dancing Together: A Note on Respect and Enjoyment
The following suggestions open the way for dancing to become not just movement, but a shared language of kindness and connection.
Invitation to Dance
… is no longer a privilege reserved for men.
When inviting someone to dance, a simple glance (mirada) does not necessarily mean that the other person wishes to dance. Only a mutual nod (cabeceo) confirms that both people would like to dance together.
This mutual understanding allows us to enjoy friendly eye contact without creating any obligation to dance.
Sitting to the side may be understood as a wish to rest, while standing near the entrance may be interpreted as a sign of wanting to dance.
Entering the Dance Floor
… begins by asking the leader of the couple to your left in the Ronda for permission to enter, again through a nod or an inviting hand gesture. Simply exchanging glances does not constitute an agreement – please be mindful of this.
If the couple prefers not to make space in front of them, we respect their decision. There may be very good reasons.
Slipping in from the side between other couples or pushing your way through disrupts the flow of the Ronda, and we'd like to avoid that.
If you'd like to dance but the piece of music is already halfway through and the floor is full, you've missed the train – it's already left the station.
Rather than rushing onto the floor and disturbing the flow of the Ronda, take a moment to enjoy the music and join with your partner for the next piece.
When entering, move promptly towards the furthest available open space ahead, without disturbing other couples – even if that means crossing the floor. This allows several couples to enter smoothly without creating a bottleneck.
The Ronda
Once on the dance floor, we become part of something larger – the Ronda.
We can imagine it as one larger dancing body, in which leaders subtly attune themselves to one another, creating a shared rhythm and flow.
It's worth asking ourselves: What makes dancing in front of or behind certain couples enjoyable? And what makes it stressful?
Simply reflecting on these questions can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
The Ronda is – like life – dynamic: sometimes moving forward, sometimes dancing more in place, but never moving backwards or taking shortcuts.
During the Tanda
… conversations on the dance floor between songs are best kept brief.
There is always time to talk away from the dance floor. A tanda, however, is an opportunity to connect with your partner and immerse yourselves in the music.
Keeping conversations brief is also a gesture of respect towards the musicians, the DJ and the other dancers.
At the End of the Tanda
… we accompany our partner back to the place where we originally agreed to dance.
It's a small gesture of appreciation that brings the tanda to a graceful close.
___
These suggestions are not meant to be restrictive rules.
Rather, we can see them as social skills – expressions of awareness, kindness and mutual respect that help us create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, welcome and free to enjoy dancing together.
You may join us on facebook
