10th Annual Mayan World Salsa Competition

by Ruby Karen, May 2005 

Competing for the first time in salsa, I wondered what made a routine exceptionally good, what made it stand out, but most importantly, how well were the combinations executed given the high level of difficulty it demanded. In observing my counterparts’ routines, I realized the need to impose some breaks to make a better impact, but more so to provide spacing and time to sink into the rhythm. I raised a few pointers, in the hopes that I can execute the combinations smoother and sharper, so that our performance level is brought to higher grounds. I suggested that we incorporate breaks to prepare for the next phase of challenging combinations. Alex’s viewpoint was somewhat different leaving me with the option of training for endurance and strength necessary to sustain the quality of dancing for the entire routine, while keeping the grace and sharpness intact. Challenging but possible…

My salsera friends, Sascha and Jessica reminded me to keep a positive outlook and not give up on executing the challenging routine based on my initial impressions of its difficulty. That advice served to help mentally and psychologically prepare me for the Mayan Finals. We only had two rehearsals and a performance for the Choreographers Ball at Hollywood’s Key Club that April 26th before Alex took off for Tokyo. After the Key Club event, I felt energized and confident for the Mayan Finals.

On May 8th (Sunday), a day after Alex had arrived from Tokyo, while at rehearsals, we executed the ever-famous overhead horizontal lift, only to find myself on the floor badly in pain. My head hit the floor first, followed by the entire left side of my body. I was brought to the hospital ….. I could barely move my body, as an inch of movement caused me to scream with pain even when double dosages of heavy pain medications were induced.

I can’t thank God enough for protecting me before, during and immediately after the fall. Series of tests, including X-rays and CT-scans came out negative for fractures. Within the next 72 hours, I was able to slowly walk without support.

My sister, Rachel and brother Django stood by me at the hospital. I had friends and colleagues from work who called to check on me. I received flowers and lots of warm wishes for speedy recovery. From the gravity of the fall, it never crossed anybody’s mind (including myself) that I would pursue to partake in the Finals. It seemed foolish … just as Dinora jokingly said that night, “you are crazy”. My doctor advised me not to dance. My friends constantly reminded me of the effects that may occur if I push to dance, for fear that I may not be able to get back to my dancing condition.

We all seemed to have the same goal focused on recovering completely without any residual effects.…….Or at least, I thought so…. Alex called me everyday with his opening words comically asking me “… are you doing cartwheels now? …… you’re still at the hospital????” And at discharge, Alex picked me up from the hospital and took me to his acupuncturist, whom he claimed, “…does miracles” on him…

Boy, talk about the “cupping” method: Definition…. “torture”. Did it helped? I say it temporarily relieved my pain, but I was back to the same level of pain….

I must say though that, each day that passed by, the improvement was phenomenal… thanks to my continued dance training and athletic maintenance. Right after the hospital, as suggested by my fabulous doctor,…. “work with heat…..”. He explained that even if my pain disappears, the physiological result of the muscles, tissues and ligaments in my pelvic and hip areas are so tender and sensitive that a slight pull could strain or even tear some tissues. So, his words of wisdom served as my guideline for self-therapy and gave me an open mindedness to the possibility of prepping my body for the Mayan finals. Of course, it crossed my mind about the fact that I may not even be able to execute the routine in an acceptable standard, and so what then would the point be of killing myself if we won’t place? Oh well, that was a junction I was not ready to take at that time. The focus was.…… to get better… fast…..

HYDRO – that was the key, coupled with pool lapping, theraband exercises and weights. From Thursday through Saturday, I worked on an extensive variation of therapy treatment, thanks to my membership with 24-hour fitness.

May 14, the day of the Mayan Finals: I started out my day by doing therapy. I explained to Alex, I was meeting him at 3:00 pm, but that I wasn’t promising anything… all I wanted to do was to see if my body could take it. Because of the fresh therapy prior to rehearsing, my muscles were warm and slightly loose. The pain was bearable and as I slowly worked the cross body leads to spins, I realized that I was dancing, and that I just had to let go with some safeguards. Although Alex was adamant to do the same lift that caused my injury, I was high strung on my decision to retire that trick, if he wanted to continue to dance with me. The rehearsal was not smooth to our standards, but it was the best I could deliver at said condition. By 4:00 pm I decided to go through with the competition.

Why???? I guess… this was a challenge for me. Of course, I thought of Alex… I thought of the repercussions and effects this may have if we did or did not compete, and I made a reasonable decision keeping in mind the risk on both my recovery and the fact that we may not place at the FINALS.

May 14th, 10:00 pm – The FINALS: By this time, I was partly nervous because I was worried I may snap a ligament. My warm-up was not to its fullest due to some restricted movements. I rested my condition to the benefits Advil and my anti-inflammatory medication had to offer, and focused my attention to the new routine.

When it came time to draw for the sequence of performance, I was glad we ended up the last (9th couple), although I was worried that by the time we performed, my muscles may already then be cold and tight. As each pair performed their routine, my mind was generating the “rush”. I was getting pumped up… I remember whispering to myself….. “yeah… go for it”. And as we stepped into center stage, I threw in the RUBY KAREN trademark…..

… and, the rest is history…..

By: Ruby Karen, October 2005

As a dancer, I’ve always been intrigued by various styles, forms and rhythm. It was in 2003 when I actively exposed myself to the world of Salsa. Read the rest of this entry »

November 19 (Saturday) 9:00am- 11:00pm

Where: OCAA Headquarters, 2777-D Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Featured Instructor: Chobi Gyorgy

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For more information & to order a copy, go to:

www.hollywooddancersdvd.com