TED 04 | Swapping Roles and the Freedom it Brings with Laura Conde

The Empowered Dancers Podcast

Who leads and who follows on the dance floor?
When the music comes on, you and your dance partner, more often than not, naturally jump into the leader and follower roles. But what if we swap these roles every so often? How do equal dynamics work?
In this episode, Laura and Bobbie talk about the leader-focused heavy culture of dance classes and socials and how Laura is changing the game. They also delve into the joys of teaching dance and socials, bringing you a heartfelt conversation about dancing and the freedom it brings.
What to expect in this episode:
(00:00) - Introduction.
(01:16) - Getting into salsa and bachata.
(03:19) - Equal dynamics of leader and follower.
(09:10) - Basics of leading on the dance floor.
(11:33) - Socials are about having fun.
(12:33) - Asking for feedback.
(13:53) - Swapping roles.
(16:51) - The joys of teaching.
(21:00) - Social dancing is not competitive.
(27:59) - Setting up affordable and free classes.
About Laura Conde
Laura is a salsa and bachata teacher and a social dancer. She specializes in teaching salsa and in her lessons of bachata, she has an extra element of freedom and playfulness that is really unique to her dance class lessons. She currently teaches beginner, improver, and intermediate classes at Oxford University Salsa Society.
Connect with Laura Conde
Laura’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.conde.965/
Oxford University Salsa Society Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OUSSoc
About Bobbie Miles
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer and local teacher based in Bristol. The Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba scene is special to so many, Bobbie included. However, the more she danced, the more she became aware of inappropriate behaviours in the scene, ranging from low-level “creepiness” to undeniable abuses of power. After being bullied by a teacher one time too many, Bobbie realised that she would no longer keep quiet and be subject to any sort of misconduct, and nor should anyone else. Bobbie is an advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a public speaker, she talks about putting boundary setting and respect into practice, both on and off the dance floor.
Resources:
Download my 5 Top Tips for a great dance night!
https://empowereddancers.com/5tips
Connect with Bobbie Miles!
Follow me on Instagram @theempowereddancerspodcast https://www.instagram.com/theempowereddancerspodcast
Follow me on Instagram @bobbiemilesdancer https://www.instagram.com/bobbiemilesdancer
Find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bobbiemilesbailadora
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8pcAq9lXttVf9w9lDb1bQ?sub_confirmation=1