For most women, feeling confident in their skin is a journey, and sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the biggest transformations. When I first started my dance journey in salsa and bachata, I was scared and nervous, but now, these dances are a way for me to embrace self-love and confidence. Through my own experiences, I can speak to how putting myself out of my comfort zone and truly embracing my body and sensuality through salsa and bachata has helped me feel beautiful and confident as a woman.
Embracing Body Positivity
I learned Indian classical dance growing up, known as Bharatanatyam.
Bharatanatyam is a vastly specific and different style of dance that isn’t remotely similar to Latin styles. It’s not what you see in a typical Bollywood film. It’s rigid, strong, and conservative and not at all a style that requires you to dance closely with another person.
I was first introduced to bachata and salsa when I was 15 years old and was completely intimidated by it. (I snuck into a Latin club with some friends, don’t tell my parents!)
It was uncomfortable being held and touched in ways I wasn’t used to because the conservative culture I grew up in didn’t openly embrace sexuality and romance in dance like Latin cultures do, but also, the lack of self-esteem I had within myself and my body played a part. It was such a bummer because I remember thinking to myself how FUN I could have on the dance floor if I could just let go.
As I got older, moved to Los Angeles, and began to embrace social dancing at some Latin bars, salsa and bachata made their way back into my life, but this time I wasn’t going to be scared of it. I wanted to learn it! I realized that moving to a brand new city helped instill a newfound confidence in me and grow comfortable with myself and my body in ways that carried into salsa and bachata.
In a world obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards, and Los Angeles can sometimes feel like that, these dances remind me that everybody is beautiful and capable of amazing things. The sensual motions of bachata and the energetic steps of salsa teach you to appreciate what your body can do rather than how it looks. Now, when I dance, I focus on how my body feels, not how it appears. This shift in perspective helped me develop a more loving and accepting relationship with myself.
Building Physical Strength
In 2015, I started my fitness and nutrition journey to nourish my body and push its capabilities until it simply became my lifestyle. Obviously, cardiovascular health is such an important component of that and personally, I hate running. I want to sweat and move to music in other ways that still get my heart pumping and challenge my body, which luckily enough, salsa and bachata do just that!
Dancing salsa and bachata strengthens your muscles, improves your posture, and enhances your flexibility - all these benefits AND in heels?! As you practice and get better, you’ll notice changes in your physical fitness and it feels amazing!
Enhancing Emotional Expression
As a television and film writer, something that is crucial for me to understand is the humanity in myself and others. It helps me write characters that are dynamic, emotional, and real. In understanding what that looks and feels like for me, music and dance have always provided safe outlets in expressing how I feel. Whether it’s wanting to dance my butt off to Reggaeton and Afro-beats because of how happy I feel inside or slow dance to practically any love song ever, dance is a beautiful way to tell stories and express emotions.
This is something I have always admired about bachata and salsa: these dances are PASSIONATE. They let you convey a wide range of feelings and this freedom to express yourself can be incredibly liberating. What’s even more incredible is that through dance in general, you can explore your sensuality, joy, and even vulnerability and truly get to know yourself in the deepest of ways.
I know that these emotional explorations helped me tremendously in understanding myself better and communicating my feelings more effectively.
Fostering Social Connections
Last but not least, one of the BEST parts of salsa and bachata is the social aspect. The amount of girlfriends you make is incredible (which, I must mention, is something I LOVED about Movers and Shakers right away when I discovered them. Even after my first class, I walked out with at least one new gal pal!)
As women, it’s important for us to have our girls. Ones that provide us with a sense of belonging and support! We need to celebrate each other and sharing the joy of dance creates a positive feedback loop that reinforces self-esteem and mutual respect. Luckily, in a city like Los Angeles - Latin dancing is EVERYWHERE in this city no matter what part of town you're in.
Cheers to Women!
In a world that often makes women feel inadequate, dance offers a sanctuary of joy and self-acceptance. It’s a reminder that confidence comes from within and that every woman deserves to feel beautiful and confident in her own skin. A reminder that each woman has her insecurities and deserves a healthy, fun environment to work through them and be her most radiant self!
My experience has been that Movers and Shakers strives to uplift women and give them the confidence to feel free in who they are. So, lace up your dance shoes, and step onto the dance floor! Let’s dance!
Discover Salsa and Bachata Classes in Los Angeles
Looking for a place to dance, have fun, and feel empowered? Movers and Shakers offers structured programs that make learning easy and enjoyable. Our salsa and bachata classes suit all levels, helping you build solid foundations and improve your dancing skills.
More than just dance, we're a community. Here, you can feel comfortable, be yourself, and make new friends. Join us and experience the joy of dancing in a fun and inclusive environment.
About the Author
Nishima Gupta  | Nishima is a salsa and bachata dancer in Los Angeles. She’s also a writer in the entertainment industry creating stories that focus on the South Asian community to help a larger audience understand her culture, one that is also so deeply rooted in dance. Nishima loves creating new friendships and fostering a community through them, as well as putting herself outside of her comfort zone and exploring all the wonderful things the world has to offer! |
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