I'm not a huge fan of paintings, but once in awhile I enjoy going to a good art gallery. I don't actually look at the paintings though.. I watch the people.

To me it's fascinating to see how differently people react to different things. I'll see a black and white sketch that looks totally uninteresting to me, but that woman has been mesmerized by it for at least 30 minutes.

Everyone has their thing. I think some are attracted to the technical aspects, or the creative techniques used by an artist in the 1600s. Others are drawn by the colors, the bold strokes, the precision, the scene, or by the emotions they're feeling. Whatever it is that draws them, those people walk into the gallery and you can immediately see them sort themselves out in the gallery space, drawn to those things.

In zouk I imagine that the followers I dance with all have those same differences.

Some love technique, control and precision. Some dance zouk for the connection. Others are there for the social vibes, or because they love the music. Some want to feel free, while others want to feel embraced. Some like the floaty-flowing-feather dynamic, others want Cirque de Soleil.

I think a lot of it ties to culture and personality, but also, its an evolving thing. YouTube has probably had a huge impact on how the dance evolves because it works like that art gallery- everyone can find things that make them say "wow" and then their attention takes them in a new directions while they try to improve their dance in those areas. And, a lot of what you can see, is those big cool visual movements. You can't see the feather-lead, or the connection quite the same. It's probably why the kizomba room doesn't have a lot of spectators.

I've started to really enjoy that huge range of variety in following styles. Even if the follower's movement style and energy are Totally Unzouky, I'll just try to embrace it and go with the flow...

Because beauty is everywhere.