Why dancing heals
Movement, emotion and origin
Einleitung hinzufügen
The movements of salsa carry the character of the Caribbean cultures — shaped by African and European heritage and later by the indigenous cultures of the Americas. You don't have to be Latina or Latino for this: these movements do you good. Anyone can pass them on. All that matters is learning to let these feelings in — that's good for your mood and your health.
As a sociologist, Horacio is convinced: all people are equal, but we are socialised differently — depending on what we learned in our culture of origin. Some cultures constrain the individual a great deal, especially the modern cultures of highly developed countries. There, socialisation, physical contact and emotional expression have changed over time to raise the economic output of the individual. This has isolated people, weakened social cohesion and, in the end, increased productivity at the expense of personal well-being. That is why dancing heals body and soul.
Two things that shape the teaching
Roles, not genders
In Horacio's classes it's not “man” and “woman” but leader and follower. Anyone can choose either role — just not at the same time. All that matters is that one person leads and one follows. Best of all is being able to do both.
Nobody is a hopeless case
In three decades Horacio has guided countless people who had given up at other schools. Anyone who wants to can learn to dance — even if you think you have two left feet.
The positive effects of dancing
Einleitung hinzufügen
“Dancing can heal us — not because it removes the pain, but because it brings us back to the present and reconciles us with life.”
“When we dance, the nervous system comes alive like an orchestra: the areas for balance, memory, emotion and creativity begin to play together, and out of this harmony comes a feeling of well-being.”
“When you dance, the brain releases emotions.”
— Dr. Nazareth Castellanos, neuroscientist