This Quickie plays with a hand-through-the-neck lead into a back/front turn in place, a single round trip on 1, and a smooth 360 to close. Efficient, elegant, done.

When I started Talal Salsa Academy, it was just an idea, a way to bring 20+ years of teaching into a space where I could actually go deeper with dancers than a weekly class ever allows. Today we crossed 50 members. That's 50 people who showed up, trusted the process, and are actively building their salsa skills with me here. To mark it, and because the value inside keeps growing, the membership price is moving from $24/month to $29/month. If you've been on the fence, this is the moment: you can still lock in before the change. And if you're ready to commit for the year, the annual plan saves you 17% ; the best value we've ever offered. This community only gets more valuable as it grows, more feedback, more accountability, more of me in the weeds with you. I'd rather reward the people building it with me now than make you pay more to catch up later. And this won't be the last time the price moves. The plan is simple: every time we hit a new membership milestone, the price goes up to reflect the growing value inside. 100 members is next, and when we get there, the rate rises again. Members who join now lock in today's price for good, no matter how high it climbs later. 👉 Join now to lock in $29/month (or grab the annual rate and save even more), before the next milestone changes the number again. See you on the dance floor, Talal

I wanted to share something about my own salsa journey. As a neurodiverse person, I find it very difficult to learn and retain patterns. My mind simply does not absorb sequences in the way many classes expect. So I focus more on technique, connection and learning how to respond in the moment, especially when my brain and feet appear to have joined different dance schools! I am a confident dancer, but I know that confidence and competence are not the same thing. I still have plenty to learn, and I am comfortable admitting that. I would love to find workshops or boot camps designed for people who learn more slowly, need greater repetition, or benefit from a different teaching style. BackYard Salsa Academy is a safe community where we can speak honestly about our journeys, support one another and learn without judgement. We do not all learn in the same way or at the same speed. That diversity should have a place on the dance floor too.

What started as a new chapter has become a home away from home: teaching salsa at the incredible SalsAlianza, sharing floors with dancers who inspire me every class, and watching this journey grow in ways I couldn't have imagined. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it. Here's to the dance, the city, and everyone who's been part of this ride. More chapters coming. #2YearsInParis #SalsAlianza #SalsaTeacher #ParisLife #SalsaCommunity

Tomorrow's class will be prepared with my dance partner in Paris: Laurence Hauradou (SalsAlianza) Stay tuned.