Dealing with your Ex in the Salsa Dance Scene

Imagine: you, or your partner broke up your romantic relationship, but both of you continue to follow the same Salsa dance classes, dance in the same Salsa show team and/or attend the same Salsa parties. The manners in which to deal with this new situation vary, but it all depends on your own pursuit of happiness in the Salsa scene.

You Follow the Same Salsa Classes
The two of you fell in love while attending the same Salsa lessons. Now that your not a love couple anymore, your partner tells you that he or she does not wish to see you ever again. You can choose to follow dance classes at a different Salsa school and respect your ex lovers' wishes. But, if you find the classes of your Salsa instructor to be the best there is in your city/neighborhood and you have a nice circle of friends at that particular school, then things get a little bit more complicated. The solution sounds a little bit crude, but it is fair: your ex is the one having problems with you, so he or she should be the one to leave and attend classes at another Salsa school. Do not become the “doormat”! And, if you are the one experiencing problems when you get your ex as your dance partner during partner change, then you should be the one evicting the premises. Do not try to impose your own will unto others!

Attending the same Salsa parties and Sharing the same Circle of Salsa Friends
You can still attend the same Salsa parties without having to dance or speak to each other. The problems arise when you or your ex start to talk ill about each other whilst socializing with your Salsa friends and acquaintances. This is bad judgment, caused by you - or your ex - trying to win the sympathy of others. Do not gossip about your ex! You will only make the situation very awkward for your common friends, forcing them to choose sides – and in the process – sickening the whole ambiance. Do not burden others with your problems, especially in the Salsa scene! 
 
Dealing with your Ex in a (Semi) Professional Salsa Setting
You and your ex dance in the same Salsa show team, you teach Salsa together or you compete at Salsa championships. The best solution is for the two of you to agree not to mix “business with pleasure”. Most seasoned Salsa dancers are very emotional and highly sensitive persons, and that is why many couples in the (semi) professional Salsa industry find it very difficult to continue working together after they break up. But, many coupes do make it after they finish their romantic relationship. You can read in this article how international Salsa superstars Adrian y Anita conquered their break-up, became World Salsa Champions the very next day (in 2007) and built up a highly successful international Salsa partnership together.

Conclusion: the best thing to do – of course - is to try and stay friends with your ex Salsa lover. 

Now, enjoy Adrian y Anita's second place winning performance at the World Salsa Championships, 2009.