Mastering salsa with Matthew David Parker

When most people come to classes conducted by Matthew David Parker, they assume that they will be professional dancers after the first session. This is quite the ambition because mastering the art of salsa takes time and lots of effort. Just like any other physical activity, the dance classes begin with learning the basic movements and how to move the body to the rhythm of a song. Mastering the complicated moves is another story altogether because not only does it require a keen eye to remember what the instructor does, but also long hours of practice and patience. It is not unusual to find salsa dancers practicing moves even out of class.

To learn salsa quickly and to dance like a pro, you need to be trained by someone who has the passion and commitment that Matthew David Parker has. A professional is aware of the different stages that need to be mastered to improve skill and enhance capability. As a beginner, you might find the vigorous shaking of the body irritating, but that is what keeps your body fit and enables you to make graceful moves across the dance floor.

Most new salsa dance beginners get discouraged within the first week of enrollment into a program, but the number is quite insignificant in the Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio. What is the secret? It is the passion that the founder Matthew David Parker displays in all his sessions that make learners want to stay and be like him. Those who persevere do not take long to realize what a simple dance style salsa really is.

Family matters to Matthew David Parker

Everybody knows Matthew David Parker is the talented salsa dance instructor based in Lafayette but some may not know that he is a family man as well. Success in life is a measure of various aspects one of them being family and from the story of Matthew David Parker, it is evident that one can have it all. He is a symbol of what a man who is committed to make his life an impact to other people can achieve.

With two sons and a wife, this iconic salsa guru is a typical family man; he most likely takes off the instructor mask right at the door of his house so that he is identified as husband and father to those who matter to him. There is no doubt that he has a busy and packed schedule because of his reputation but that has not been a reason for not spending time with family.

Family time to some people is the few hours spent at home after work but as Matthew David Parker for his version. Although he works fulltime for 6 days every week, his schedule has not stopped him from travelling and exploiting his love for fishing. These are such exciting activities to engage in with family when you are free from the daily demands of work. One can never have enough family time, that is why Matthew David Parker is ever looking for opportunities to offer his family their deserved time.

Matthew David Parker - The Best Salsa Instructor

Salsa classes in Louisiana have never been this better. Since opening his salsa studio, Matthew David Parker has positively impacted the lives of the local community. This is because of the many health benefits of engaging in salsa dance. Apart from being a fun filled activity, you will get the same benefits that anaerobic and aerobic exercises offer. 

How to Learn Salsa Dance
At first, salsa moves may appear to be an overwhelming task. The steps, the body movements, the coordination and the sync of the different body parts including the hands may appear to be a difficult thing to learn and perform. However, with a keen interest in learning this exciting dance and help from an experienced individual, you can easily learn how to dance like a pro. You can also join dance classes to learn it better. 

How to master the moves
Most people think that by simply joining salsa dance classes, you will master the art. This is not correct. As much as you will be learning basic moves, mastering the complex dance moves requires a positive attitude, patience, and constant training. Without these traits, it will not be an easy ride.
You can master salsa moves if you are trained by a professional who will take you through the different stages required in learning this type of dance. It is only through the teachings of an expert that you will be able to learn the basic steps progress through the normal moves and finally master the complex syncs and even perform incredible stunts like a pro. 

In most cases, beginners get irritated by the vigorous dance movements. You need to be flexible to learn the simplest salsa move. Most first time learners quit in the first few days. But those who are passionate about this dance always persevere and they eventually realize how simple and interesting the moves are.

What other options are available?
Learning how to dance salsa does not necessarily mean that you must join a dance studio or class. You can also learn by watching instructional videos, go for private lessons, online lessons and even join dance groups in your local area. However, if you want to learn fast and improve your skills it is advisable for you to seek the help of an experienced professional. Salsa dance instructors understand the complexity that comes with learning this dance, and they will take you through all the steps and enable you to become a real dancer. 

Matthew David Parker is a recognized salsa dance instructor and owner of salsa dance studio in Louisiana. He has years of experience and can help you learn the basic steps to the most intricate dance moves.     

Matthew David Parker Explains Ways How Salsa Can Change Your Life

Salsa is a popular form of social dancing that is gaining popularity across the world. It is a blend of Latin and Caribbean movements with origins from South America and New York. It is loved by many because of its unique sexy moves, challenging footwork and a sync of body movements. Prolific dancers and instructors have gone to extra lengths to teach people this dance because of the numerous benefits it offers. Matthew David Parker explains how salsa can change your life:

Provides an excellent workout regimen
Salsa movements and techniques provide a full body aerobics that enables your core muscle groups to extensively workout. On top of that, these movements enhance your cardiovascular activities. It is a great way to stay active and live a healthy life. You do not have to hit the gym or do morning runs if you engage in salsa dance. 

Enables you to socialize
Dancing salsa requires two people and the dance itself needs compatibility between two people. However, this does not mean that you cannot practice it on your won. But if you want to have fun and enjoy the dance, having a partner is vital. Socializing becomes easier when people, especially introverts meet and start practicing together. This way you get to learn about the other person and eventually become friends. 

Makes you more confident and sexy
Salsa dance incorporates smooth and sensual movements. If you are career person or have a regular office job, it is not easy for you to discover the fun and exciting side of you. Salsa enables you to discover the part of you that seeks fun, adventure and love. It enables you to be confident and appreciate love as a requirement in life. Your confidence and self-esteem will get an immense boost from practicing salsa. 

Enhances your reflexes and timings
Salsa is a dance that involves intricate footwork, body movements, and synchronization of almost each part of your body. This therefore, improves your reflexes, timings and also flexibility. It enables you to be more active and to perform your daily activities with ease and zeal. 

It enables you to perform other dance moves
Most moves and techniques taught in salsa dance are similar to other dance forms. If you master how to make salsa moves, you will have no problem performing other dance styles or moves. However, you cannot perform salsa techniques and movements if you know other types of dance moves that are not salsa related. In itself, salsa is a combination of other dancing styles. Get it from Matthew David Parker, that learning salsa is essential in helping you perform other dance styles and skills else well.         

Salsa Dancing with Matthew David Parker

You have been longing to learn salsa dancing.  Matthew David Parker, a salsa dance instructor, tells more about this sexy and seductive dance.

Salsa Styles
There are two major categories of salsa styles. Those that mainly use forward and backward movements done in a straight line (linear style), and those where the dancers circle each other during movements, also called circular style. Both styles use the mambo step as a foundation for the moves.

Linear Styles

Los Angeles Style
Los Angeles Style is very flashy using very linear moves with many flips and dips. The dance is more sensual and the dancers more synchronized. It is mainly done in display dancing. The dancers break on the ‘1’

New York Style
This style is also called the mambo style. This style allows for more individual display. It has more footwork, rib cage movement, body waves, shines, and shimmying. Dancers break on the ‘2’ it was popularized by Eddie Torres.

Puerto Rican Style
This style has very technical footwork. The style is more popular in the East Coast where more Puerto Rican Migrants settled. 

Circular Styles

Miami Style
This style is also known as the Classico Cubano or Casino style. There are numerous arm hooks known as ganchos.  The dancers make taps in between steps, such that the dance is characteristic of the tap and step. 

Cuban Style
Dancers in Cuban style display more individual moves. It is more of a non-partner dance. The female partner is more restricted but is able to vary her movements with the percussive beat.  It is tougher for new leaners but is becoming more popular.

Rueda
This is a group dance. The dancers follow a leader who dictates pace and movement.

Matthew David Parker says dancers are only limited by their creativity in salsa dancing. There is so much experimentation to be done in moves and pace.

Matthew David Parker - How Salsa Keeps You Fit

Are you looking for a way to combine fun and fitness? Salsa dancing to keep fit is a good way to combine these two needs. It is well known that the best dancers also have some of the most attractive figures. Matthew David Parker, who owns a salsa dance studio in Lafayette, Louisiana, explains some benefits of learning this beautiful dance.

Better movement- A Salsa dance uses different movements that involve weight shifting, small kicks, and tapping.  The muscles in the lower limbs do most of the execution of these movements. The upper body must remain level during movement which commands better core movement and conditioning. The dancer also develops better motor skills by mastering forward-backward movements, and turns.

Weight loss –It takes 3500 calories to burn 1 pound of fat. An average of 1 pound of weight per week can be lost if you put in around 2 hours of dancing daily. Dancing firms up your muscles by development of more muscle.

Cardio endurance – more hours dancing means more exercise for the heart and lungs.

Natural high – you will induce a natural high with the release of the hormone dopamine, which is a “feel good” hormone.

Higher sex appeal – improved confidence, better-toned muscles and the ability to execute dance moves will generally make you more attractive.

Matthew David Parker says learning salsa can see you reaping health and body image benefits in a relatively short time. It is the perfect hobby; letting you learn something useful and have fun.

Matthew David Parker’s Insight On What Is Required To Perform Salsa Dance Moves

Salsa is basically a rhythmic Latin dance that originated from New York City with mixture of Cuban and Latin culture. Usually, salsa dancers move their hips, feet and even hands to the beat of the music. According to Matthew David Parker, who is an experienced salsa instructor in Louisiana, there are certain things you must do to perfectly dance salsa:

Learn how to count the music
The first and most important thing to do when it comes to salsa music is learning how to listen to the beat and count the beats. All music genres have beats or some sort of rhythm. Music has a specific number of beats per measure. Usually music beats can be counted in 1,2,3,4 up to 6. However, in salsa there are four beats per measure. In order to know how to count the salsa beats, try clapping to the rhythm while at the same time counting for 1 to 8.

Be flexible
Flexibility is something every salsa dancer or someone who wants to learn how to dance salsa should have. You need to be flexible enough to perform the simple basic steps and moves involved in salsa dance.

Coordination
Salsa is all about coordination. Your arms, hips, feet and upper body need to perfectly coordinate with each other for you to make salsa dance moves. When doing the feet movements, each foot has to coordinate with each other

Pay attention 
When beginning to learn salsa dance, you must be very attentive to what you are being told by your instructor. It is important to point out that without an experienced salsa instructor like Matthew David Parker, mastering salsa dance moves will not be easy and you might take days and even months to learn a single dance move.

Matthew David Parker Looks Into Causes of Weight Gain And How To Maintain a Healthy Weight

Matthew David Parker is a family man, a successful business person and a popular salsa dance instructor. He owns Lafayette Dance Studio in Louisiana where he teaches people how to dance salsa and even become professionals in the dance. He understand how important being fit is to most salsa dancers and knows the reasons why some people tend to gain too much weight. The following are some of the many causes for putting on weight:

Lack of sleep
Studies show that the body functions best when it is well rested. Therefore when you provide your body with sufficient sleep it rejuvenates itself and functions properly. But when you deny your body adequate sleep, it experiences physiological stress. This in turn alters the chemical composition of the body and this forces the body to store excess fat. When exhausted, you tend to consume a lot of food so as to cope with the situation but this instead leads to weight gain. 

Stress and depression
To some people stress makes them gain weight while to others it enables them to shed off some weight. Sadly, the medications usually used to manage stress and depression in most cases lead to weight gain. This means that when you are taking antidepressants you might actually gain some weight in the long run.

Inactive lifestyle
People today have resolved to certain lifestyles that can lead to weight gain for example watching TV and eating a lot of snacks as you watch and blogging. Most people enjoy spending hours watching TV and movies and during these moments a lot of junk food and energy drinks are served. These foods contain high calorie content. Instead of putting these calories into use and convert them into energy, the body converts them into fat when you are inactive. It is here that you are encouraged to even join the salsa dance class. 

Taking certain medications
There are certain drugs that are known to cause weight gain. Some of these drugs include steroids, antipsychotics, drugs for diabetes, antidepressants, heartburn drugs, anti-seizure medications and medications used to treat high blood pressure. All these drugs cause some calming effect to the body which in turn slows down your metabolism rate leading to storage of fats in the body hence weight gain.

 

Hormonal changes and pregnancy in women
Hormonal changes especially in women can cause weight gain in their middle years. During menopause most women experience weight gain simply because during her reproductive years the secretion of estrogens, which is the hormone responsible for ovulation process and menstruation, helped in increasing metabolism. 

Matthew David Parker insists that salsa dance is effective in stabilizing hormonal imbalance in women and is good for people of all ages.

Matthew David Parker’s Tips On How To Be Happier In Life

Being a person who strives to be happy in all spheres of life, Mathew David Parker, a talented salsa dance instructor and owner of Lafayette dance studio in Louisiana, does everything possible to keep himself, his family and the people around him happy. He understands the different challenges that face people in their daily lives and came up with ways on how to be happier in life as can be viewed below:

Be courageous, kind and compassionate
Life is full of challenges and setbacks but the difference is how you tackle these challenges. Courage is very important when addressing certain issues in life. Don't ever be an escapist; always tackle things as they come for you to overcome them. Be kind to others and show compassion to other people. This will give you inner peace and comfort as you continue searching for happiness in life. Help those in need if you have a chance to help, smile to a stranger and always show extra love to people around you.

Believe in yourself, be consistent and dream big
When you believe in yourself there is nothing you cannot do or achieve. Coupled with the courage and ability to take action, you will surely achieve almost everything you wish to have. Always dream big and never think of any impossibility. Staying focused and always working hard to see your dreams come true will help you in becoming happy. Be realistic, set achievable goals, be consistent and see your dreams come true.

Give and help others
Whenever you feel down, depressed or discouraged, go out and give. You can do this by being a volunteer or simply give something to someone. This should not necessarily be material item; you can give advice or give a helping hand in doing something. This will help you understand what real life is all about. It is not all about you but also about others. This will be very helpful especially in issues that concern relationships. People in relationships focus their attention on what they can gain from the other person and not what they can give to the other person. Giving will nature you into becoming someone who does not only expect good things from others but also gives things to others.

Be nicer to yourself
One thing a lot of people forget in life is that whenever you reward yourself for something you have achieved you actually motivate yourself and improve your self-esteem. According to Matthew David Parker, self-esteem is something very important it is the recipe for motivation and working hard in life. Never yield to criticism but instead view the criticism as a challenge. When you fail in achieving something, don't feel discouraged; instead learn from that failure and work hard to avoid such failures in future.

Matthew David Parker - How To Master The Salsa Dance

Salsa dancing, which is loved and thought by many to have originated in Brazil, actually originated fin New York City in the 1970s. It has a strong Latin American influence, it is sensual, lively and very exciting with simple steps that make it easy for people of all ages to perform. Mathew David Parker has for years now been teaching people how to do basic salsa dance moves and enjoy the dance. The following are steps on how to dance salsa:

Master the basics
If you want to learn how to do something, you must be ready to master the basics. These are the first important things that will help you learn and develop new skills. In salsa dancing the basics include having good body posture for the dance, knowing how to move your legs in sync with the leader, knowing how to move your hips and knowing how to count the beat in a salsa song and keeping up with the beats. These are the basics that any person who wants to learn how to salsa dance should know. 

Dance as the follower
To learn how to properly dance salsa you will need an experienced dancer to lead you through the basics. It is not easy for someone to learn this dance on his or her own; you need an experienced partner. As a follower or student, you have to do exactly what your leader tells you or shows you. It is important for you to observe and take note of all the leads your leader shows you and then move instinctively in the direction he or she pushes you. One thing you should do is try and be flexible. Avoid pulling your partner around or be rigid at one place. Follow your partner’s moves and be in line with the salsa dance. 

  

Learn basic turns and new tricks
Salsa is generally playful and it involves basic turns and choreographed moves. Due to its liveliness, this dance can be danced almost anywhere including in the club. Turning in fast paced moves is one trick that makes this dance so enjoyable. With the help of an experienced dancing partner you can learn how to do the underarm turns or the overhead turns. Once you have learned the basic turns and rotations without losing your step, it is time you learned new tricks that will make the dance more exciting. 

For better understanding on how to master the art of dancing salsa, you can check out the Lafayette salsa dance studio, which is owned by Matthew David Parker a renowned salsa dance instructor from Louisiana. With patience and regular practice you will be able to learn how to dance to the salsa beats with ease.    

What you Need to Know About Salsa Styles with Matthew David Parker

You have seen the beautiful sexy dance on TV and would like to try it right away. Yes, salsa is beautiful, sexy and seductive. Matthew David Parker takes you through what you need to know about this passionate dance.
What are the origins of salsa?
Salsa originated from moves in Caribbean dances particularly in Cuba over 100 years ago.

What are the main salsa styles?
There are two main styles of dancing with each style having variations.

• Los Angeles (LA) style – Also known as the in-line style. Couples do their movements while aligned in a straight line. This style is very good for dancing shows.
• Cuban style - Also known as the Casino style. There is no straight line. Rather, dancing couples do movements around each other with hand knots emphasized.

Which style is better?
It is best you learn both styles as you will get dance invites by partners doing the two dances on various occasions.  The Cuban style is more relaxed and casual than the LA style which is more structured to show moves.
Which style is more difficult to learn?
The LA style is more demanding for ladies as they have to learn the “lady style”, and also master fast spins. The Cuban style may look relaxed but mastering making the moves while going round your partner could take more time to master than the straight line LA style.
Are there other salsa styles?
Yes.  Other salsa styles apart from Cuban and LA styles are;

• Rueda - Rueda is wheel in Spanish. Several dancing couples form a circle around a leading dancing couple that sets the pace of the dance
• New York style – Looks like the LA style to the inexperienced eye. The difference is that the first step goes with the second bit of the rhythm instead of the first bit. 
• Colombian salsa – has very fast foot movements in the cha-cha-cha set. It is highly popular in the Colombian city of Cali also known as the Salsa capital

Some dance styles are also associated with Salsa. These include Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba, and cha-cha-cha.

How long does it take to learn?
You can learn the basics within a month or two depending on how regularly you attend dance lessons. Learning the different styles depends on how interested you are in improving your basics. With regular dancing you can be a master dancer within a year.

You can start this exciting journey at Matthew David Parker’s Lafayette dancing studio where he will have you dancing like a pro in no time.

Want to be a Dance Instructor? Learn from Matthew David Parker

Teaching dance as a career or as a hobby is fun and rewarding as you watch your students transform from clumsy self-confident dancers into masters who move, turn and twirl perfectly.  You can become a master salsa dance instructor by learning it from the salsa maestro himself. Matthew David Parker has been teaching salsa dancing at his Lafayette dance studio in Louisiana since 2010. Here is what he recommends for aspiring salsa dance instructors.

Master salsa.
There is much to learn in salsa in footwork and patterns, leading and following, timing and styles.

Get a partner to demonstrate the moves.
Having a partner will help you handle more students. If you are learning salsa so that you can teach others, find a partner who is also enthusiastic about the dance.

Do you want it?
Always reflect on your reasons for teaching salsa. Do you want money, fun, or fame? This can help you focus better on what you need to do and how to do it.

Always refresh your skills.
Keep going back to the dance studio to refresh your skills and pick up new moves from other dance enthusiasts.

Create difference.
After mastering salsa, try improving on the styles to come up with a sub-style or even a new style. You will become a true adept and become dedicated to the dance even more.

Be humble and outgoing.
As a dance instructor, you will handle different kinds of personalities, at a close distance. Learn to handle people patiently and mix with people from different backgrounds.

Don’t forget to have fun.
Dancing is all about fun as Matthew David Parker likes to remind his students every day. Always keep this in mind and you will love doing what you do daily.  

Salsa Dance - Have Fun and Lose Weight Dancing with Matthew David Parker

Dancing has long been known as a way of keeping fit. Salsa dancing is the most exciting dance style and you can have a lot of fun while cutting down on those pounds. Matthew David Parker is one of the foremost salsa dance instructors in the US. His studio is based in Lafayette, Louisiana where he encourages dance lovers to come learn new dancing styles and enjoy the added health benefits.

Workout movements
Salsa movements involve weight changing, tapping and small kicks. The movements involve the lower body depending largely on the hip flexor and gluteal muscles for execution. These movements must be accomplished while the upper weight remains level which improves core movement and conditioning. The legs get a workout as the dancer moves forward, backwards and turn, providing well balanced muscle development.

Major muscles workout
Salsa dancing will work out all the major muscle groups in the body burning more calories. The core, heart, quadriceps, gluteal, hip flexor muscles and hamstrings will get involved in the different movements of the dance. 

Accelerated health benefits

• Calorie Burn - The average person weighing 150 pounds can expect to burn 175-250 calories in 30 minutes of dancing. 
• Muscle development – Muscles become more developed from constant work. You will develop more muscle mass instead of fat. 
• Cardio endurance – Cardiovascular endurance means that your heart and lungs can do more for longer. 
• Emotional balance – Dancing workout releases dopamine, a feel good hormone which will give you a natural high. 
• Better sex appeal – Overall body image and the ability to execute dance moves will generally improve your sex appeal.

Dancing lessons Matthew David Parker are your way of improving your health while learning something fun.

Mathew David Parker on the Best Salsa Dancing Shoes

Salsa dancing involves a lot of feet movement at a fairly fast pace. For the best dancing experience  during dance, you have to choose an appropriate shoe that is stable and comfortable. Matthew David Parker is a salsa instructor in Lafayette, Louisiana. He knows how important the appropriate shoes are in dance classes and in other dance events. His tips on choosing the perfect salsa dancing shoes are;
Fitting shoes
Always ensure your shoes fit snugly like a glove, without any pressure. Always try walking around for about 30 minutes in your new shoes before going dancing in them. Dancing is more strenuous than walking so ensure they are comfortable even when you walk briskly.

Heel height
For those perfect turns, you have to be stable. If you are not accustomed to high heels do not wear a new pair on the day of a dancing event. Begin with a lower heel with a maximum of 1.5 inches for the ladies. For men, 1 inch heel  height is appropriate. 

Heel thickness
Heel thickness determines the way weight is distributed on the foot. Thin heels push more weight towards the front of the foot which is less balanced.  Flared heels combine height and more width to give better balance than stiletto heels.

Closed vs. open toe
Salsa dance movements require pointing the toes to articulate feet movement. Open toed shoes are better as they allow for better toe pointing. However, experienced dancers can choose closed toes which lower the risk of being hurt when the foot is accidentally stepped on in an accident.

Sole material
A shoe should allow for the right slip and traction to make execution of moves like turns better. A suede sole is perfect as it allows for slip which gives more control when turning. If it gets too smooth it can be brush wired to have some roughness.

Shoe straps
Shoe straps should allow for securing the shoe firmly to the foot and allow for more breathing of the foot for comfort. A double X strap is the best as it secures the shoe around the ankle and the foot, feeling just like a lace up shoe.

Shop or online buy
Always try your shoe before buying. This is better done at a physical shop than an online shop. However, if you see something impressive online, pick it up if they have favorable return policy.

Matthew David Parker reckons the shoe you wear can determine whether your salsa night out is fun or horrible. Be careful with your salsa dancing shoe choice.

The turning technique by Matthew David Parker

According to Matthew David Parker, in most salsa dancing competitions, the method applied does not have to be a hundred percent, but judges are very focused on the turning technique. Practice is essential when planning to perfect your turning technique; it gives the dancer the chance to polish their moves. However, the question remains; how can we develop our techniques?
Spotting forward
Spotting is an important aspect of salsa dancing. When spinning your partner, changing or giving intense multiple turns, ensure that you spot them well. This guarantees that they do not end up falling off their feet but instead get to have the perfect landing. 

Weight Shifting on the desired foot
Many dancers usually take for granted the fact that, as they start dancing, they are bound to lose stability and forget how to walk. While stepping on the left foot, ensure to place all your weight on it. The same applies to the right foot.

Turn your feet out and step forward
Keep in mind that every time you step, you need to turn your feet. Avoid turning in while on your toes. When stepping forward ensure that you always pivot. Many dancers are forgetful when it comes to finishing their turns while turning the feet as this causing them to land their foot backward. You can correct the landing by pointing the insteps of your feet and toes towards the intended direction.

Even though you can practice the above on your own, it is wise to seek advice from an expert in the dancing field. If you are in Louisiana, Matthew David Parker and Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio can help you master the dance in no time.

Clues to a perfect salsa dance by Matthew David Parker

Salsa is an amazing dance style that many of you wish to learn. For you to reach the levels of the greats like Matthew David Parker, you need to have a mastery in the number of steps and moves that make up the salsa dance. Matthew David Parker is Louisiana’s leading salsa dance instructor with vast experience in the dancing world. In his view, whether you choose to be the lead or the follow, you need to have an understanding and grasp the necessary steps when it comes to the dance. You can begin with amateur steps progressing to the advanced class. For every beginner, here are the four basic things you need to know when dancing salsa.

Grasp the closed dancing position
For you to achieve the closed dance position, the lead should hold her partner’s hand in his left hand and place his on her right shoulder blade. For the follower, she should put her left hand on the right shoulder blade of the lead having her arms over his. This will enable the two to have a firm close dancing position giving room for movements such as turns.

Keep a right posture
If you do not keep the proper posture, you are bound to have backaches. The correct position entails having your chin up with your chest pulling out while your shoulders are hunched back.  Remember always to look up with your neck tilted at an angle. Looking down on the movements of your feet only makes you more of a beginner. For easier coordination, remember to keep your elbows bent with your arms horizontal positioned while your hands are clasped together.

Check Your Hip Movement.
Most salsa moves incorporate the use of your hips. Remember to keep your hips free and flexible to include a hip movement whenever the legs and arms move. Just take in a deep breath and relax for you to sway and move your hips to the rhythm of the music. 

Pick A Salsa Song
A song is a great motivator when it comes to salsa dancing. Matthew David Parker insists that having the right type of music is equivalent to mastering the moves. Before beginning, choose a song that has a range of approximately four beats to the bar. Internalizing the beats and tempo will make you have a better understanding as to how you should move your steps. An ideal song consists of 180 beats per minute. 

With these few ground rules, you are set to begin your journey as a salsa dancer.

Matthew David Parker on the reason why salsa is not as popular as before

“Where is the scene of hundreds of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans Latin dancers on the tunes of Barretto and Lavoe as in the 1970s?” This is a question weighing heavily on Matthew David Parker’s mind, a well-renowned salsa instructor from Louisiana. He claims that salsa is experiencing a tremendous transformation that doesn’t come close to the good ol’ 70s.
Matthew David Parker talks about why young zealous Latino dancers are drawn towards other dancing techniques other than their native salsa dance. Here are some of his findings.

Hip pop movement
The new hip-pop movement seems to be taking the world by the storm with many Latino dancers shifting towards it. This dance culture that has grabbed both the local and international attention is a force to be reckoned with. It is considered the new and cool kid in town. Failure to join in on this fast moving train will quickly qualify you as an outsider in the social community.

Incorporation into ballrooms
Salsa dance has been stripped of its informality practices. These days, ballrooms are incorporating salsa as part of their musical scenery giving it the official vibe that doesn’t attract most youths. On the brighter side, this is making salsa dance expand globally. Salsa is being adapted into many choreographies and dance techniques, making its reputation and stature to be apprehended among many music lovers. This helps in the keeping of the salsa dance legacy.

Lack of inspiration from the forefathers of salsa
Most of the pioneers of salsa dances feel like the new generation lack the nostalgia of salsa dances. They feel that the new breed of salsa dancers lacks the cultural knowledge and intuitive appreciation that was the driving force of the salsa dance movement. This perception is making many Latino youths grow up without the salsa dancing culture instilled in them.

However, some beg to differ by saying this lack of cultural passage from the elderly to the young is more positive than negative. They embrace the positivity that the modern salsa dance has brought regarding the lack of involvement in the club scene. The youth of today gets to dance salsa free of the associated drinking and sexual exploitation scenes, which many see as a positive change.

Matthew David Parker comes to the agreement that the new salsa type is overall a positive change to the salsa world after decades of general deterioration and neglect. “My job is to keep the salsa legacy alive and I shall do so while maintaining the dance’s positive image and respecting its history”, he concludes.

Who is Matthew David Parker?

Salsa Dancing Instructor
Matthew David Parker has always been a lover of salsa dance. He started his dancing journey at a young age. Over the years, Matthew David Parker has worked on his art to become the king of the dance floor. With this mastery in the New York based dance, he has grasped all the different steps of the salsa dancing styles. This salsa master is known to the people of Louisiana as the city’s only salsa instructor. Matthew’s reputation far precedes him. Barely in his thirties, this guru of the dance flow, has been able to start his studio in 2010.

Salsa has many different genres that are based on their geographical origin.  From L.A. style, New York style, Cuban and Miami style, Matthew David Parker can teach his students all the moves. Matthew David Parker has managed to incorporate groundbreaking moves and dance techniques in his teaching methods. He helps individuals train for competition or just for the mere enjoyment of dancing.

Family man
Not only is Matthew David Parker a popular dance figure but a family man as well. His success seems not only to be in his business but also in his personal life. He lives a happy life with his two sons and lovely wife despite his busy schedule. He is a believer of succeeding in all areas of life, and that is why he preserves time just for his family.

Businessman
Matthew David Parker has a degree in Fine Arts from the prestigious Louisiana State University. He graduated with the class of 2009. His mastery in the art of salsa dancing has motivated him to start his own personal business as a salsa dance instructor. Lafayette Salsa Dancing Studio is located in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Matthew David Parker On Why Coaching Your Partner Is Wrong

You are in the middle of the dance floor when you realize that your partner is doing something wrong and you get this uncontrollable urge to correct them. According to Matthew David Parker, a famous salsa instructor from Louisiana, you should stop right there. If you aren’t qualified to teach salsa, don’t do it. There are several reasons why coaching your dance partner is not a good idea despite your good intentions, and these include;

• It may annoy your partner especially since they haven’t asked for your help. In any case, you may also have your own technical issues and if they aren’t voicing their concerns, there’s no reason you should voice yours.
• You can easily offend your partner, especially if they don’t take criticism well.
• You may provide your partner with the wrong information, making the situation even worse.

Learning a new skill is usually challenging and, if your partner is struggling with timing or movement (or both), commenting on it could quickly turn the situation bad with them projecting their frustration directly upon you. Parker advises students to avoid any form of back and forth coaching between salsa dance partners.

But what should you do if your partner is doing something wrong? The best thing to do when in the middle of a bad dance is to suck it up and try to enjoy yourself throughout the dance. If your  partner is a beginner, try being considerable by nurturing and supporting them through the process. If you don’t feel like dancing with them afterwards, it’s okay, but don’t be rude and walk off the dance floor in the middle of a dance.

If you are in a salsa class and your partner is doing something wrong, you can always ask the instructor for help. If you’re busy, flag them down and hold your question. Don’t correct your partner as you may give them wrong information. By doing so, you may become part of the problem. If the problem is too much of a problem, you can consider enrolling in a private class with your partner.

Teaching salsa is something that should be left to the experts, says Matthew David Parker. And, as such, something like correcting your partner on the dance floor or offering them advice is wrong as it can lead to more problems. Rather than create additional problems, ask your dance teacher for help or suck it up and try to enjoy yourself as much as you can.

Matthew David Parker on the Salsa Turn Technique

While in salsa dancing competing or performing with a dancer doesn’t have to be about perfect technique, the turn technique is very important according to Matthew David Parker. Practicing is important if you intent to perfect your turn technique and what better time to do that than when fresh? The more you practice, the more polished your turn technique becomes. But how can one perfect their turn technique?

There are simple cues that one can follow but you have to remember that the results aren’t instant. If you practice the following consistently, you’ll notice an improvement in your dance technique with time.

Spot forward. Generally, you should spot your turns in the direction you’re moving to avoid getting dizzy while dancing. You should only spot your partner if they are spinning you on the spot, changing directions or giving you an intense dose of multiple turns.

Shift your weight unto the foot you’re stepping on. It may seem like something that should come naturally but the truth remains that as soon as people start dancing, they forget how to walk properly. If you’re stepping on the left foot, be sure to put all your weight on it. The same goes if you are stepping on the right foot. It’s also important to ensure that you shift your weight instantly as this helps propel you forward thus enabling you to pivot or turn any time. Dancers make a mistake of remaining back-weighted rather than front weighted and this hinders their ability to turn properly.

Turn your feet out and step forward. Always remember to turn your feet out when you step. Never ‘pigeon toe’ and turn your feet in. Even when you think you should step forward, it’s important to always step forward when pivoting or turning. Many dancers when moving or finishing their turns forget this and instead land their foot backwards. Correcting this requires pointing the instep of your foot and toes forward towards the direction you’re moving in.

While anyone can practice the above on their own, it’s always advisable to seek the help of a qualified and experienced salsa instructor. Matthew David Parker is one such instructor. He finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in 2009 and proceeded to open his dance studio, Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio, in 2010. He has since helped many aspiring dancers achieve their potential and become great dancers.

Matthew David Parker on the Importance of Grooving Solo in Salsa

In partner dancing, particularly salsa, Matthew David Parker says that we dancers commit to gathering their senses around the music as well as moving together. But while that’s the case, many dancers often overlook the importance of grooving solo in favor of movement techniques and partnering skills. Not to say that this is not important, but in order to master shared groove, both partners have to learn how to bring their groove to the partnership.

Unfortunately, in salsa dancing, people often misunderstand the significance of the ‘leader is the frame and follow is the picture’ ideality. Follows assume a role of just following and don’t think while the leads forget to respond to their partner well. As a result, partners end up not owning to musicality and their movements while dancing. 

There are several effects of trying to groove with your partner when you haven’t mastered the art of grooving solo and these include;

• Dancers don’t know what to do when not following or leading a specific movement and, as such, lose the groove when space opens up in the partnership.Dancers feel the groove in their basic steps but when it comes to more complex musicality or movements, they lose it all.
• Dancers tend to rely on their partners to establish musicality and/or timing. They hear the music but don’t know how to respond as they give little beyond what’s required to movement execution.
• Dancers tend to get bored while dancing as they can neither really feel the music or truly connect with their partners.

When it comes to learning salsa dancing, learning how to groove solo is one of the essential elements one should consider. It improves enjoyment, confidence, expression, creativity, improvisation, musicality and body awareness, thus allowing one to develop better shared groove with their partners.

But how do you start practicing grooving by yourself? There are several techniques that one can take advantage of and all of them can be learned in a salsa dance studio with a professional instructor. One of those places is Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio which was founded by Matthew David Parker. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He founded the studio in 2010, a year after graduating from the university. He has helped many people develop their salsa dance skills and he can also help you learn how to groove solo.

Matthew David Parker on Multidance

As a renowned salsa dance instructor and founder/owner of Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio, Matthew David Parker is quite knowledgeable on the topic of salsa dancing. In this post he explores the question of whether it’s enough to learn just one style of dancing. But here’s the thing, learning one dance is confusing enough without adding one or more dances to the mix. Nevertheless, wherever there’s salsa music you are likely to hear other types of music including kizomba and bachata. The dilemma comes when you don’t know how to dance all the three and someone asks you to dance. What do you do then?

If you intend to enjoy yourself at social events, learning the basics of the three dances is important. It may seem like a challenging and daunting task but the truth is, doing so opens up a whole world of possibilities That said, outlined below are a few tips that will help you avoid overloading yourself with information.

Time management and regular practice. It’s important to have a plan that allows you to practice for a few minutes every day. Practicing for as little as 10 minutes, in addition to your usual class time, can go a long way in improving your dance skills and making you the dancer you desire.

Write down moves. This helps in two ways; for starters, it helps you retain what you learn and, secondly, the notes you write serve as an easy reminder on your notebook or phone whenever you forget something during practice.

Dance with advanced dancers. Asking an advanced dancer to be your partner is a great and effective way to learn timing and how to remember your steps. If you go with this option, remember to tell your partner that you’re a beginner and that you’d like to learn. Doing so will allow your partner to help you with the basics.
Be patient. The important to remember when learning how to dance is that like every skill, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Don’t rush anything, just go with the flow. Enjoy yourself and, with time, you’ll become the accomplished dancer you’re looking to be.

Keep it simple. Learning the basic steps in every style is enough when you are a beginner. First learn one step, practice it for two more dances then learn another one. Don’t worry about your partner, just concentrate on being a better dancer.

That’s all. It doesn’t take much to shine at social events where different styles of dances are involved, according to Matthew David Parker. And, if you’re in doubt, you can always enroll in dance classes.

Matthew David Parker Lists The Salsa Capitals Of The World

If you are one of those die-hard salsa fans, then there are cities in the world that would suit your fancies. According to veteran salsa instructor Matthew David Parker, even though most of salsa has moved indoors and into formalized luncheons and events, it still retains the vigour and relatability of ages gone by. Below are the 8 cities with the biggest Latin salsa dance cultures.

Havana, Cuba. Havana has two of the biggest salsa dancing scenes in all of the Americas. Club Café Cantante and Club Salseando Chevere are full of great instructors, wonderful salsa music and a general ambiance that is inviting and thrilling.

Miami. Club Hoy Como Ayer its arch-rival Mango’s Tropical Café and their erstwhile competitor, La Covancha, are what makes Miami the biggest salsa destination outside of Cuba. The place is chic, raw and unmistakably Latino with English barely spoken at any time of the day or night.

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Based in the alleys of San Huan, Nuyorican Café and Latin Roots make for wonderful salsa venues complete with dress codes, quality drinks, wonderful crowds and a global crowd. San Juan has always been a part of the history of salsa.

Bogota, Colombia. El Candelario, The Galeria Café Libro, La Villa provides a wide variety of spaces for salsa indulgence. Between the three of them you have space for family outings, a serene night out, access to professional salsa performers and a crowd of salsa enthusiasts from all over Latin America.

Salsa instructor Matthew David Parker ranks Dylan’s Tervan and Grill, and Cubby Bear at Wrigley field in Chicago, as well as The Granada LA, Mama Juana and Vasilios in Los Angeles high on that list. The legendary Antilla Salsa, Habana Club and Mojito Club in Barcelona, Copacabana, Bungalo Lounge and Club Cache in New York City complete the list.

Matthew David Parker Lists The Global Salsa Calendar For 1st 6 Months

“For a salsa enthusiast, the tune has now become a global phenomenon”, says Matthew David Parker, a salsa instructor from Lafayette, Louisiana.  There are the global salsa events, competitions, conventions and celebrations that a salsa lover ought to be aware off.

In January there is the Houston salsa congress in Houston, USA/Salsa congress in Tyrol, Argentina/Leids Winter Zouk Festival Leiden, Netherlands/World salsa Meeting Milano, Italy/Bachata Festival, Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic and Sydney Latin Festival, in Australia

In February there is Stars of Salsa London, UK/Amsterdam Salsa Festival Netherlands/Chicago World Salsa Congress, USA/Valentine Zagreb Salsa Festival, Zagreb, Croatia/Nordic Salsa Experience, Oslo Norway/Hong Kong Salsa Festival Hong Kong/Bachata Congress Berlin, Germany and Salsa Addicted Festival, in Romania.

In March there is International Frankfurt Salsa Festival, the Germany/Salsa Congress Deventer, Deventer Netherlands/Tipica Salsa & Swing weekend, Nijmegen, Netherlands/Salsa Spring Break, Warsaw, Poland/Texas Salsa Congress, Houston USA/Viva Cuba Festivals Biezenmortel Netherlands/ Salsa Festival Karlsruhe, Denmark/Super salsa party festival, Brussels, Belgium/Salsa Monaco, Monaco/The Hague Latin Experience, the Hague Netherlands/Scandinavian Salsa Congress, Gothen berg Switzerland/Cyprus Salsa Congress, Famagusta, Cyprus and the Junin Salsa Congress, Bounes Aires, Argentina

In April there is Antwerp Diamond Salsa Festival, Antwerp, Belgium/ Internationals Hustle and Salsa competition, Miami, USA/Salsa Festival Munster, Munster, Denmark/Montreal Salsa Congress, Montreal, Canada/On2 Salsa Congress, Milan Italy/Athens Salsa Spring Festival, Athens Greece/Bordo-Rueda Festival, Bordeaux, France/Sydney Int. Bachata Festival, Sydney, Australia/Dias Cubanos Nordwijkerhout, Netherlands and Mambo City 5 Star Congress, London, UK

In May there is Fanta Dance Fiesta Sofia, Belgium/Limburg Salsa Festival Maastricht, Netherlands/Viliaus Salsa Festival, Vilnius, Lithuania/International Cuban Dance Event Groningen, Netherlands and NZ Pacific Salsa Congress, Wellington, New Zealand

In June there is Haarlem Beach Festival, Zandvoort, Netherlands/Riga Salsa Festival, Riga, Latvia/Washington DC Salsa Congress, Washington, USA/Portland Salsa Bachata Congress, Portland, USA/Saint-Tropez Salsa Festival, Saint-Tropez, France/Summer Sensual Days Rovinj, Hungary/Croatian Summer Salsa Festival, Rovinj, Hungary and the Holland Kizomba Congress in Made, Netherlands

In July there is Leids Summer Zouk Festival, Ledin, Netherlands/Salsafestival Thüringen, Saalburg, Denmark/Salsa Beach Festival, Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands/Summer SBK Festival, Wroclaw, Poland/Las Vegas Salsa Congress, Las Vegas, USA/Cannes Salsa Festival, Cannes, France/Mambo City’s Salsa Splash Spain, Caple Alicante, Spain/International Festival Hamburg, Germany/Salsa Beach Splash, Sibenik, Hungary and Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Top 5 Salsa Songs For Beginners By Matthew David Parker

“Dancing is part science, part art, part talent and part skill. Mastering the moves takes time and grit. This truth is much more important for great and renowned dances like salsa”, says Matthew David Parker, a salsa instructor from Lafayette, Louisiana.

When you are a rookie you need songs that are slower and more rhythmical, yet captivating to train with. Salsa by nature is a teamwork dance that requires you to sync your moves with those of your partner. Whether you are the leader or follower, the intuitive moves that come with training are easier to master with fun, salsa tunes.

These are the five best salsa tunes to train with as a beginner:

• Rumbn Meln by Joey Pastrana - This 1967 tune from the album, Lets Ball is a simple yet elegant salsa tune with a seamless feel when dancing salss.
  
• Rico Guaguanco by the late Puerto Rican singer Chivirico Dvila delivers a slow tempo combined with syrupy tune that responds well to salsa taps.
  
• Nieve con Sal, by Frankie Morales is a Latin hit that inspired a remake by Frankie and American singer Lil Kim. It is one of those songs that gives you a simple way of changing your steps artfully as a beginner.
  
• Perdoname is a 1990 hit by Latin singer Gilberto Santa Rosa from his Album Punta De Vista. This salsa hit from the moustached Gilberto is a beautifully serenading hit that inspires simple salsa tap learning.
  
• Yamulemau -This powerful 1987 hit features the best of Joe Arroyo’s vocals. It features Colombian rhythm with a general afro-Cuban style that is captivating to any leaner.

According to salsa instructor Matthew David Parker, other great salsa tunes for beginners include Lady by Orquesta La Palabra, Juliana by Cuco Valoy, Me Imagino Que by Pedro Conga and Sabrosso by Wayne Gorbea.

Matthew David Parker On The Different Types Of Salsa

There are many types of salsa dance, but most of them fall into five main categories. These styles differ in speed, tempo, tone and general appeal, including pace and agility. Matthew David Parker says there are a lot of similarities among the moves, but the differences though subtle, uniquely alter the personality of each style.

Los Angeles Style

This style carries with it the usual Hollywood feel of dramatization, flashy appeal and self-indulgence. It is fast-paced, impressionable and eye-catching with acrobatic moves involved. It is the most commonly known of all dance styles owing to its publicity on TV shows.

Colombian / Cali Style

The Colombian salsa also known as the Cali style is based on the Colombian city of Cali. Cali is famed as being ‘Capital De la Salsa’ (Capital of Salsa) because of the influence of salsa on the city’s music culture. Cali salsa borrows heavily from other Caribbean rhythms such as Boogaloo and Pachanga.

New York Style

Unlike the Los Angeles style, which changes basic step on beat I, the New York style changes steps on beat II. That is why most New Yorkers tend to dance on beat ‘two.’ This style lays emphasis on smooth sways which are more accommodating of the multiple spins.

Miami Style

Rueda (the Cuban style) is the most common salsa dance move in the Miami style. In this style the dance partners tend to move in a circular rather than linear patterns. The movements involve interconnected arms in complex locked patterns.

Cuban Style

This style is characterised by fast multiple spins. The partners also make circular and not linear spins. ‘Cuban style has much more body movement than any of its variants’, says Matthew David Parker, a salsa dance instructor from Lafayette.

Matthew David Parker’s Tips For Perfect Salsa Dancing

For one to become a pro at salsa you have to master a number of moves and beats depending on the type of salsa and your level of experience. According to Matthew David Parker, you can dance as the leader, you can dance as a follower and once you’ve grasped it, you can then add turns and tricks that amplify your dance experience. When it comes to basics there are four things to grasp.

Master the closed dance position.

A closed position is achieved when the leader claps her partner’s hand in his left hand and places his right hand on her left shoulder blades. In turn the follower should place her left hand on his right shoulder blade with her arm going over his.

Keep a proper posture.

To avoid aches you should strive to keep your spine straight up. Your chin should be up, your chest puffed out and your shoulders hunched back. Always look up ahead with your neck slightly tilted out. Avoid looking down at your feet movement as it makes you look like a novice. While your hands are clasped, keep your arms horizontal and bent at the elbows for easier coordination with your partner.

Monitor Your Hip Movement. 
                                                                            
Most of your movements in a salsa dance will be done with your hip. Keep your hips loose and flexible. Incorporate a hip movement - no matter how slight - in every move to accompany your legs and arms’ movements. Relax your body and sway the hips away.

Pick A Salsa Song      
                                                                                         
Matthew David Parker, a salsa instructor, insists that choosing a song is just as important as learning the moves. When you are starting out, pick a song that has a range of about four beats to the bar. A more appropriate song will have about 180 beats per minute. Internalize its beats and tempo so that you can master the speed and choose your moves.

Matthew David Parker, A Master of Salsa Formations

Matthew David Parker has mastered all the styles of salsa dancing and is now spreading his art and knowledge with students at his very own dance studio, Lafayette Salsa Dance Studio, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Here Matthew David Parker imparts his students with the knowledge of basic step patterns and movements.

Salsa has its roots in different cultures that give it different genres and style formations. The formations mostly get their names from their land of origin. The Los Angeles style is a linear form of salsa using dips and arm movement. There are sensual intricacies which are also revealed in its styling. The Miami style originates from Cuba, and is known for its “Tap & Step” characteristics as its formation includes tap between measures. The famous Rueda style also traces its origins to Cuba. It is a group dance performed to the sound of lively music beats which makes it visually spectacular. The Casino style is more circular in formation and is considered to be one of the more tricky and complex styles. The Puerto Rican style mostly focuses on the footwork aspect of the dance. The mambo originates from New York – it is characterized by the use of body waves, rib cage movement, shimmying, freestyle footwork and shines.

No one style can be considered better or less so to any others. Every dancer has their own form that suits him or her best. Matthew David Parker understands the flexibility of each dancer and trains each student accordingly. In salsa, as they commonly say “to each, their own”.