Fuelled by the rise of social media, bachata has developed a very “cookie cutter” image. Hollywood slim, skin and sparkle is the heteronormative assumed default image of our teachers. But that isn’t representative of our community, is it? We come in all shapes and sizes with every personality under the sun. Natalie Walls joins us to not only challenge the current norms but also to challenge ourselves. We are the sum of our lived experiences and also the sum of our education - our experiences are fixed, but we each of us always have the capacity to learn. Have you ever judged a fellow social dancer? Assumed they won’t be fun to dance with? Why did you assume that? Natalie has some great tips on how we can learn more about ourselves and grow not only as dancers, but people too.

What to expect in this episode:

(01:01) Social dancing, hanging out with Mum
(03:00) Learning bachata with a high values teacher: Tiago Degas
(04:42) Bachata as a space to focus the mind and connect with other people
(07:41) The current image of bachata: the typical cookie-cutter couple
(13:20) Teachers platforming other teachers and mindful marketing
(15:55)  Snap judgements - students and social dancers: acknowledge your preconceptions, maybe even challenge them!
(19:10) How can YOU question your own preconceptions
(22:57) What are we making these snap judgements?
(27:14) Leader and follower - language matters!

About Natalie Walls
Natalie is an experienced social dancer, and a bachata and latin commercial teacher based in Cambridge in the UK. A and certified Role Rotation instructor, Natalie is an inclusivity advocate in our dance scene. Her work focuses on creating inclusive spaces where all dancers are welcomed, accepted and celebrated.

Connect with Natalie Walls
https://www.instagram.com/nataliewalls93/
https://www.instagram.com/bachatacambridge/

About Bobbie Miles:
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer and empowerment coach in the salsa, bachata, and kizomba scene. Dancing is a happy place for Bobbie, as it is for so many. In order to foster safer dance spaces for all dancers, Bobbie is on a mission to promote more accountability and responsibility surrounding consent and safety within the community through education and conversations that matter. Bobbie is a coach and advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and promoting respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a coach and public speaker, she focuses on  boundary setting and respect in practice, both on and off the dance floor.

Resources:
Download my 5 Top Tips to boost your confidence on any dance night! https://empowereddancers.com/5tips

Connect with Bobbie Miles
Follow me on Instagram @theempowereddancerspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/theempowereddancerspodcast

Find me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/bobbiemilesbailadora

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8pcAq9lXttVf9w9lDb1bQ?sub_confirmation=1