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Being myself a software developer and a (half) serious salsa dancer, I find that intriguing. I have also noticed there are quite some technical people in the s

by toumhi 15y ago

Being myself a software developer and a (half) serious salsa dancer, I find that intriguing. I have also noticed there are quite some technical people in the salsa scene, but I thought most did it out of the need of meeting people, after spending all day at work. Salsa dancing requires some coordination, thinking a few steps ahead etc, but tremendous mental acuity? I think you might get a bit far here :-) But hey, I would also second taking up salsa classes but mostly because it's tons of funs and a very healthy hobby that makes you meet tons of people. All good!

wallflower 15y ago
Awesome to see some fellow salseros here! I argue that Salsa challenges your mental acuity because there are not many things more thrilling and challenging than dancing with a beautiful salsera while trying to remember some moves, track potential collisions with other dancers (always protect the follower), keep track of the beat, smile, do not think, and (for extra credit) keep count of the measures for breaks usually happen on multiples of eight measures (8/16/24) -and- if you can anticipate the breaks -that is what makes women believe you can dance. Yes, mentally challenging but lot more fun than writing unit tests under the fluorescent day sun. And I know a lot of engineers and programmers who dance, too. If you are even thinking of getting started with Salsa or have taken a few classes but have gotten discouraged, here is my favorite article: "The Magic of Time: The last one standing" http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-one-standing.html http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-on...
- toumhi 15y ago
  half of success is showing up? :-) I really like to see my childhood friends' reactions when they see me dance, after having witnessed my robot dance of high school years. I was not really genetically programmed to dance that's for sure, but I got quite good with some good practice. Just to say for all nerds out here that have 2 left feet and think they can't for their life learn to dance: practice trumps everything, even in dancing. You need to overcome the initial pain of feeling ridiculous though. Regarding salsa challenging mental acuity, salsa is challenging on a physical and you might say on an intellectual level, but for me it's really not what matters. As you say, just way more fun than being under the fluorescent day sun.

by toumhi 15y ago

wallflower 15y ago

Awesome to see some fellow salseros here! I argue that Salsa challenges your mental acuity because there are not many things more thrilling and challenging than dancing with a beautiful salsera while trying to remember some moves, track potential collisions with other dancers (always protect the follower), keep track of the beat, smile, do not think, and (for extra credit) keep count of the measures for breaks usually happen on multiples of eight measures (8/16/24) -and- if you can anticipate the breaks -that is what makes women believe you can dance. Yes, mentally challenging but lot more fun than writing unit tests under the fluorescent day sun. And I know a lot of engineers and programmers who dance, too. If you are even thinking of getting started with Salsa or have taken a few classes but have gotten discouraged, here is my favorite article: "The Magic of Time: The last one standing" http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-one-standing.html http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-on...

toumhi 15y ago
half of success is showing up? :-) I really like to see my childhood friends' reactions when they see me dance, after having witnessed my robot dance of high school years. I was not really genetically programmed to dance that's for sure, but I got quite good with some good practice. Just to say for all nerds out here that have 2 left feet and think they can't for their life learn to dance: practice trumps everything, even in dancing. You need to overcome the initial pain of feeling ridiculous though. Regarding salsa challenging mental acuity, salsa is challenging on a physical and you might say on an intellectual level, but for me it's really not what matters. As you say, just way more fun than being under the fluorescent day sun.