What Actually Makes You a Great Salsa or Bachata Dancer: Tips from LA's best Latin dancer

Let me tell you a secret from someone who’s been teaching for over two decades:

Becoming a great dancer isn’t about talent. It’s about habits.

That’s right. The best salsa and bachata dancers I’ve worked with weren’t born with magical rhythm or flawless hips. They simply showed up, stayed consistent, and developed the right habits over time.

And the good news? You can do that too.

Whether you're learning salsa in Los Angeles, taking bachata classes online, or stepping into your first social, here’s what really matters, and how to fast-track your growth the right way.

1. Show Up Every Week (No Exceptions)

If you want to improve, showing up consistently is non-negotiable.

I can’t count the number of students I’ve seen plateau, not because they weren’t capable, but because they weren’t consistent. One class a month won’t cut it. Momentum matters.

Growth happens weekly, sometimes daily.

Here’s what a well-rounded weekly dance routine looks like:

• 1–2 classes per week (group or private)

• At-home practice to reinforce what you learned

• 1 social dance per week to apply your skills in real life

If you're learning salsa or bachata in Los Angeles or Santa Monica, you're in a city where you can dance almost every night of the week. Make the most of it.

There are world-class instructors, diverse dance styles, and vibrant socials across the city, don’t take that for granted.

Start by choosing two or three days a week and commit to them. Protect them in your calendar like gym days or meetings.

Pro tip: The hardest part is showing up. After that, the fun takes over.

2. Master the Basics (Yes, Even If You Think You Already Have)

Here’s something every advanced dancer understands: The basics are never truly “done.”

You’ll revisit them at every level and every time you do, you’ll find something new. I’ve been dancing over 25 years, and I still work on my basic step. Why? Because the basics are the root of everything else.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Footwork: Is it clean, grounded, and controlled?

• Timing: Are you actually dancing with the music?

• Connection: Is your partner responding to your lead/follow smoothly?

• Balance & Posture: Are you in control of your own weight and movement?

Most people want to skip ahead to fancy moves. But let me be clear: flash without foundation is frustrating.

When your basics are strong, every pattern becomes easier, your connection becomes cleaner, and your partner feels safer and more confident dancing with you.

Mastery isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the fundamentals really well.

3. Record and Review Yourself Weekly

Here’s a habit that separates serious dancers from casual ones: they film themselves.

I get it. Watching yourself on video can feel awkward. But you know what’s more uncomfortable?

Repeating the same bad habits for years without realizing it.

Recording yourself even once a week can give you eye-opening insight:

• Are you on time with the music?

• Is your body stiff or relaxed?

• How’s your posture, your arms, your frame?

• Are your movements clean, or are they rushed and unclear?

Don’t just rely on memory. Use your eyes. You’ll learn 3x faster when you can see what’s actually happening.

At my academy, I encourage students to film me (or their instructor) in the class. Even better, we ask them to share videos with classmates so they can view different angles, clarify confusion, and support one another.

Watching someone else do the same move helps reinforce your own understanding and keeps you engaged throughout the week.

The Three Pillars of Progress: Classes, Practice, and Social Dancing

Let’s dive into the magic formula that makes all of this stick: Classes + Practice + Socials.

Master all three, and you’ll improve faster than you ever thought possible.

1. Classes: Your Foundation and Roadmap

Classes give you more than just new moves, they give you structure, correction, and inspiration.

• Structured Learning: You get techniques broken down step-by-step in a logical progression.

• Correct Technique: A trained instructor can spot errors you can’t see, and fix them before they become bad habits.

• Variety of Styles: Salsa On1, On2, Sensual Bachata, Dominican Bachata… taking different classes opens up new worlds and makes you more versatile.

A good teacher doesn’t just teach steps. They teach movement, awareness, and connection.

Don’t just collect moves. Understand them. And let your instructor guide your growth with purpose.

2. Practice: Where Growth Becomes Physical

Practice is where your body catches up with your mind.

You can understand a move, but it doesn’t mean you’ve embodied it. That takes reps. Repetition turns knowledge into instinct, and instinct into artistry.

Why practice?

• Reinforce class learning

• Build muscle memory

• Experiment safely (mistakes welcome!)

Tip: Focus on just 2–3 patterns each week. Practice them slowly. Explore variations.

Challenge yourself to lead/follow them with different handholds or rhythms.

Consistency in practice is where breakthroughs happen, not in 20 minutes before class starts.

3. Social Dancing: The Real-World Test (and the Reward)

This is where it all comes together.

Social dancing is the application phase, the part where you take what you've learned and apply it in real-time, with real partners, and real music.

Here’s why it’s essential:

• Real-World Feedback: You quickly learn what’s working—and what isn’t.

• Partner Variety: Every person you dance with teaches you something new.

• Musicality: You learn to adjust your timing, energy, and styling to fit different tempos and genres.

• Connection & Community: It’s fun. It’s social. And it reminds you why you started dancing in the first place.

Growth on the dance floor doesn’t just come from repetition, it comes from exposure. And there’s no better teacher than a Friday night social with 12 different partners and 20 new songs.

Bonus: Keep It Fun (Or You Won’t Last)

Here’s the part that no one talks about enough: If it stops being fun, you’ll stop showing up. Yes, discipline matters. Yes, practice is essential. But the soul of salsa and bachata is joy, connection, and music.

So protect that joy:

• Play music you love at home

• Dance with people who lift you up

• Don’t chase perfection—chase progress

• Laugh when you mess up (because we all do)

Long-term progress comes from loving the process, not rushing the result.

The best dancers I’ve trained over the years weren’t the flashiest or fastest learners.

They were the ones who showed up, stayed humble, worked the basics, and kept it fun.

So whether you're taking salsa classes in Los Angeles, learning bachata online, or just stepping into your first social, the same truth applies:

• Train regularly

• Practice with intention

• Dance socially and reflect often

Keep these habits, and you won’t just get better. You’ll love the process along the way.

Ready to Put This Into Practice? Join Us in Los Angeles

If you're looking for a place to grow, whether you're a total beginner or looking to refine your technique, our academy in Los Angeles is here to support your journey.

At LA Salsa and Bachata Dance Academy, we offer:

• Structured weekly group classes for all levels

• Private coaching to fast-track your progress

• A welcoming community of dancers who love to learn

• A clear system for building confidence, connection, and control

  
  

Whether you’re in West LA, Santa Monica, or just visiting the city, we invite you to join us in class.

Book your first class today and take the next step toward becoming the dancer you want to be.