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Welcome to Episode 207 of the Salsa Kings LIVE podcast
We have been featured as #1 in “Top 10 Salsa Podcasts” on FeedSpot.
Intro
What is going on, Familia? In this talk, I sat down with my good friend Mr. Julio Herrera, also known as El Dueño de Smooth Motions. We talked about his story, how he started dancing, how Salsa Kings shaped him, and what he calls the Smooth Brick Road. This idea is about dance, but also about life, growth, and becoming a smooth person on the inside.
Key Points
• How Julio Started Dancing
- Julio got into Salsa Kings in March 2019 because of a Groupon.
- Before coming to us, he went to another studio but didn’t feel the same connection.
- His mom pushed him to dance, calling him her little Chayanne.
- He would dance with her at festivals like Calle Ocho and family events.
• Early Wins and Big Steps
- He went to Miami Salsa Congress in the summer of 2019.
- Less than a year later he competed at the World Salsa Summit in January 2020.
- He helped our team at Salsa Kings and taught Bachata with Gen, Matt, and Liz.
- He moved to Tampa in 2021 after getting certified with the World Salsa Federation.
• What “The Smooth Brick Road” Means
- Julio sees dance styles like armor. Salsa, Casino, Bachata, Zouk, West Coast Swing — each style is a different type of armor.
- Beginners start with “wood or copper.” As they grow, the armor becomes “silver, gold, or even platinum.”
- But the important part is not just the armor. It is the person inside.
- You can have the best armor, but if you don’t have inner smoothness, confidence, and awareness, it won’t work.
- Being smooth is about how you carry yourself in the “battlefield,” which is the dance floor.
• Dancing Together, Not Separate
- Julio says he does not want to see two people dancing together but acting separate.
- He wants to see two unique people dancing in harmony.
- This is the true connection he looks for.
- It’s not about big moves or crazy tricks. It’s about two people moving as one.
• Big Lessons From Salsa Kings
- The idea of chameleonizing helped him the most — adapting to the partner, the music, and the moment.
- Social dancing changes every second, so he learned not to bring “old baggage” into a new dance.
- True smoothness comes from communication, not from knowing a lot of moves.
- You must walk with your body weight, feel the music, and send clear signals to your partner.
• Growing Into Bachata
- Julio now dances mostly Bachata Sensual, certified under the creators Korke and Judith.
- He trained in Houston with the Bachata Sensual America family.
- The style felt natural because it connects well with Cuban Salsa and the way we teach at Salsa Kings.
- He felt welcomed, like he found a second family.
• Dance as Therapy
- Julio shared something deep: when he was young, he struggled to speak.
- Dance became his voice. His body was how he communicated.
- Being smooth is not just for the dance floor. It makes him feel more human in life.
- For him, dance is part of his identity, not just a business or hobby.
Closing Thoughts
The Smooth Brick Road is the path we all walk as dancers and as people. We lay each brick as we grow. Some bricks are cracked. Some sink. Some shine. But each one helps us become more smooth and more true to ourselves. I’m thankful Julio shared his story. If you’re on the west side of Florida, go find him at Smooth Motions and feel that smooth journey for yourself.