R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Last post I talked about reasons to dance salsa. Today I want to bring an interview that I made with a phenomenal dancer- Vital Zinger. Vital is a dancer that I admire and if you’ll read the interview with her- you’ll understand why.

Enjoy!

P.S (1)- the interview is long…I know! But believe me –it worth your time :)

P.S (2)- The video above is Vital and her partner dancing salsa. I’ll post you also a video of Vital from the 4th in the world champ later this week.  

 

LatinChic: How did you start dancing Ballroom dance?

Vital: “The truth is that my three biggest passions in life are friends, music and sport.

So it’s no wonder that nowadays I compete in dance, because it combines my 3 addictions in the most perfect way.

I’m an athlete by heart. I’m very competitive, and I’m always looking for the next challenge. Since the age of 12, when I was lucky enough to discover the wide world of Disabled-Sport, I played tennis, basketball, table tennis, wheelchair races,  and I was part of a swimming team.

Music is my life. I’m addicted to rhythm! It makes me feel so good inside, gives me sense of freedom.

I’m one of those who automatically start to dance when they hear a bit.

I always dreamt to join a dance class when I was younger, like all my friends did, but up north (the Israel north- L.C) there wasn’t much of an option to do it. Tel Aviv (city in Israel-L.C) was the only option to dance on wheels but only folk dance.

I danced folk dance for a while, just for the fun of it. I met great people, had amazing times, it sure was a lovely experience but there was no doubt that I was looking for something more.

Towards the end of my permanent service at the army, Yelena Feitlichr- the head coach of the National Latin dance team, contacted me and asked if I want to join her dance group and maybe participate at the Israeli Championship for Latin dances. Of course I took the challenge, I practiced day and night for the next few months and we (along with my wonderful partner – who’s not on wheels) participated and won the 1st place!

Since then I’m living the dream!

I can’t stop dancing, we’ve been participating in competitions abroad, in 2008 we came 7th in the World championship for the “Duo” category (with partner on wheels), in 2009 we won the 1st place in Germany Open-Championship, and last month we came 4th in the world champ for the Combi category (with standing partner). “

LatinChic: We hear stories about people who been through accidents or something has happened to them and they found themselves on a wheelchair and their dream to dance vanished. Did you have any concerns about not being able to dance?

Vital: “First of, thankfully, the reality that I live nowadays am the only one that I have ever known. As far as I concern, every new thing that I do, every new goal that I achieve is an accomplishment. And I think it’s a lot more complicated and difficult when something suddenly happens in the middle of your life, which requires you to adapt a whole new reality.

I never had concerns about dancing coz as I said – it’s in my blood, and im a Go-Getter – if I want something, ill do my best to have it. It was a challenge and it was something new for me, but that only made it even more interesting and fun for me. It’s a pure joy to realize over and over again that the Sky is the limit as long as you stay positive, and try to overcome the obstacles.”

LatinChic: What type of dance you love the most? why?

Vital: “I love speed; I love the rhythm and the hard work in it.

This is why im so in love with Latin style. We compete in five dances: Samba, Cha Cha, rumba, Paso, and Jive. Jive is my Favorite! Other than that I’m addicted to Hip hop Music and I also LOVE Salsa. The truth is that with time I discover and learn to love more and more dance styles”.

LatinChic:  Are there any advantages in dance for disabled? Is your disability brings out something else out of you when you dance?

Vital: “Technically wise, of course not. We dance by the same laws (with the necessary adjustments). Mentally dancers with disabilities appreciate the ability to dance a bit more, because you always appreciate more the things that  it was very difficult to obtain (we never take it for granted).

Though, in my opinion- A dancer is a dancer. Dance is something that comes from the soul, from your guts, and I believe that this passion for music and dance is mutual for all of us dancers, regardless if you have a wheelchair or not”.

LatinChic: Latin dances are known as Sexy dances. Not all dancers find it easy to connect to their Sexiness. How was it for you?

Vital: “Funny that you ask this… we were just talking about it with my coach the other day… Well, in my everyday life, when I dance at clubs & bars with friends, I have no problem to connect with my Sexy & Flirty side… I even enjoy that very much… As far as competitive dance - I was always a Tom-Boy, hanging with the guys, coming from a very sporty world, and I never danced professionally until now, so at first of course most of the Rumba long & slow moves felt kind of strange. Nowadays, after 3 years of dancing, I have learned to even enjoy it and now its even one of my Favorite Dances!”

 

LatinChic: I asked my previous posts “Love & Salsa- Yes or no?” What you think about it?

Vital: “Well if you ask me - Hells yeah!! LOL

I’ve found Most of my previous boyfriends at clubs and bars… And not on the bar, but on the dance floor!! As a dancer who lives and breathes rhythm, there is nothing sexier than a guy that knows how to shake it…

And if he can keep up with me and handle my craziness – he’s most definitely worth a date! J”

LatinChic: Would you recommend people to dance salsa? Why?

Vital: “I would recommend people to just dance! Dance what ever makes you feel good!

Personally, I love Latin because I love the speed, the coordination and the interaction with the partner. I Love the pace, the dance-tricks, the Show, the freedom and the excitement!”

LatinChic: Currently you are ranked 4th in the world. What’s your fantasy?

Vital: “I was so lucky to represent Israel in the last two world champs. We indeed reached amazingly high places. The competition that took place in Hannover, Germany, included approximately 200 athletes from 23 countries; it was the largest and the most important International competition ever, in Latin dances on wheels.

The level was extremely high, the stunts were more complicated and challenging than ever, and it only gets harder every year. We competed against dancers that dance for their living, everyday, all day long. They travel and perform all over Europe, and compete in competitions every other week. In Europe they are Rock-Stars, nothing less.

Personally of course I want to improve and keep dancing and competing abroad, but most of all I wish that this sport will be recognized in Israel as much as it is abroad, I wish that more people will know about it, will take part in it, and will get inspired from it.”

 

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10 REASONS TO DANCE SALSA- LETS DANCE?

Ten Reasons to Start Dancing Salsa:

1.        To bring out your sexiness

2.        To burn a lot of calories (300 calories in average- depends on many things such as time)

3.        To know people and maybe even to find love!

4.        To learn something new that makes you smile.

5.        To find something that you’ll wait for all week…

6.        To escape from your daily life and clear your mind.

7.        To express yourself.

8.        To  learn how to dance (its helps in parties J)

9.        To do sport without the sport clothes and the sports shows- it’s the only sport you can do with heels!

10.    TO HAVE FUN!!!

See you on the floor?

You think I forgot a reason? Write me!

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For all the Latin American travelers, 

 

My closest fantasy is to travel summer 2011 to Cuba, Panama and Mexico.

Guess why? Dancing! J I’m so excited. I know!

Anyway, I told it to my friend, Shimon, which was in Cuba for a few months. He told me that in the summer there are a few festivals in Cuba one of them in Havana. He sent me a video and since then I can’t stop dream on it.

So you probably ask what stopping you from going? Well, first of all my studies. Second- MONEY. A lot from it. But until then- can’t I dream?

If you’ve been in those countries or that you have another country to recommend on I’ll be happy to get tips!

Have a dreamy weekend!

 

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The Swing is back in town!

How to say “no”…. One of the things that can make the salsa a little bit problematic for the dancer is how to say “no”. Salsa dancing is most of the time in couples. Some people come with a partner from home and some come alone (like meJ). The dancers, who come alone, usually will wait for a suggestion from the other gender to dance with them. Sometimes a suggest like that can make your day, cause you waited for that all evening. BUT sometimes you don’t want to dance with that person. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? Well, when I was a beginner it was hard for me to say “no”. That’s the reason I found myself spending a lot of songs just hoping that it’ll finally end. I think that the worse thing is that I’m so obvious that my partner see how much I suffer. As time goes by I understand that its okey to say “no”. If in the end I’ll suffer and my partner will see it- we both will suffer and he can get hurt even more then if I turned him down in the first place. I think it depends on HOW you say it. I always smile nicely when I say no and always say “NO, THANK YOU”. In the past I made up excuses like “I’m tired”’ , “I’m resting now”, “Not that song…” and then if I wanted to dance later with someone else I got the face “you told me you tired and now you are burning the floor…you layer!”.  And boys, something for you, if a girl say “no” to you once, let it go. Don’t ask her three times more…that won’t help. When I want to dance with a guy that I said “no” to - I’ll find him and ask him to dance with me. Last thing- Don’t take anything personal. People who do, get hurt and may enjoy less. So let it go- enjoy the people, the music, the dancing and smile- a lot! J Like in the pictures Yours, Latinchic

How to say “no”….

One of the things that can make the salsa a little bit problematic for the dancer is how to say “no”. Salsa dancing is most of the time in couples. Some people come with a partner from home and some come alone (like meJ). The dancers, who come alone, usually will wait for a suggestion from the other gender to dance with them. Sometimes a suggest like that can make your day, cause you waited for that all evening. BUT sometimes you don’t want to dance with that person. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? Well, when I was a beginner it was hard for me to say “no”. That’s the reason I found myself spending a lot of songs just hoping that it’ll finally end. I think that the worse thing is that I’m so obvious that my partner see how much I suffer. As time goes by I understand that its okey to say “no”. If in the end I’ll suffer and my partner will see it- we both will suffer and he can get hurt even more then if I turned him down in the first place. I think it depends on HOW you say it. I always smile nicely when I say no and always say “NO, THANK YOU”. In the past I made up excuses like “I’m tired”’ , “I’m resting now”, “Not that song…” and then if I wanted to dance later with someone else I got the face “you told me you tired and now you are burning the floor…you layer!”.  And boys, something for you, if a girl say “no” to you once, let it go. Don’t ask her three times more…that won’t help. When I want to dance with a guy that I said “no” to - I’ll find him and ask him to dance with me. Last thing- Don’t take anything personal. People who do, get hurt and may enjoy less. So let it go- enjoy the people, the music, the dancing and smile- a lot! J

Like in the pictures

Yours,

Latinchic

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Tomorrow at DOS POR DOS- The Latin Grammy Special!

Hey everyone, tomorrow between 3-4PM (Israel time) you can hear my radio show. We have very good songs- all Grammy Winners!

www.1064fm.co.il

You can also download the show if you missed it!

Here is a taste from tomorrow’s show!

Enjoy!

What the **** is that?

Well, I know that many people don’t understand the different salsa style so I decided to post you some videos that will get you some clue about the style.

Let me know what your favorite style is :)

Fifth- Cuban style- Cuban style. Don’t like the dance but love the style -SHAKE IT! By the way, you can also dance it in circle with a group of people- it called- Rueda.

P.S- all the videos are of people who the style excellent and most of them are professional performers.

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What the **** is that?

Well, I know that many people don’t understand the different salsa style so I decided to post you some videos that will get you some clue about the style.

Let me know what your favorite style is :)

Four- Bachata style- The romantic style

P.S- all the videos are of people who the style excellent and most of them are professional performers.

2 notes 

What the **** is that?

Well, I know that many people don’t understand the different salsa style so I decided to post you some videos that will get you some clue about the style.

Let me know what your favorite style is :)

Third- LA style- My style :)

P.S- all the videos are of people who the style excellent and most of them are professional performers.

1 note 

What the **** is that?

Well, I know that many people don’t understand the different salsa style so I decided to post you some videos that will get you some clue about the style.

Let me know what your favorite style is :)

Second- NY style- I still need to learn that one…

P.S- all the videos are of people who the style excellent and most of them are professional performers.

2 notes