Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eleni Christou. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Eleni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I started dancing at a very young age. Before i could even write or read. My family decided that i had to take dance lessons so as not to “annoy” everyone by dancing all the time and all over the place. That was the first step. No one expected that what they gave me would turn up to be a gift for life. I as well could not realise that, even years after.

I was not the best ballet dancer. I was too tall and my body, especially my back, were too weak. No flexibility. But whenever the class was about improvisation, I would thrive.

So, at some point I stopped dancing, during my teenage years. I focused in school. I managed to study and become a school teacher. Also, a dream of mine, and I love that.

I guess I underestimated my love for dancing.

Years after I felt the need for something, I was missing something in my life. I started dancing again, but this time, I tried different styles of dancing.

I joined the dance club of the university that I was studying in. I danced Greek, modern, belly dance, hip hop. One day I saw a salsa class, by chance. My first thought: no, not for me. My teacher asked me to join. He needed some assistance. Just for today, he said. I explained to him I cannot move like these ladies. You can be a leader, he said, because you are tall. And leaders were very hard to find back then.

And that was it. I never left the dance room again. I found my way. The funny part is that I didn’t dance as a lady for months. I felt safer in my comfort zone, being a leader. I guess i needed my time

Through the years I was told that I didn’t have the body for dancing, I was too tall, too weak, too shy. They forgot to mention too passionate. I had to work harder than anyone else. Other dancers were more flexible and stronger than me. I always left the dance room an hour later because I had to work more. It’s ok though. I enjoyed every minute of it, every single drop of sweat.

I have been dancing salsa for 20 years. I have performed to salsa Congresses around the world. I have been a dance teacher and choreographer at Bailando Salsa dance school. I have been studying and working hard. I still am. I failed a lot of times. I was never the best. It doesn’t matter. I followed my own rhythm, paved my own path. I dance.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Eleni Christou. I am a primary school teacher and also, as a hobby, a salsa dancer, teacher and choreographer. I am a member of “Bailando Salsa DS” dance team for the last 20 years. We had the chance to present our work around the world.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Through the years I was told that I didn’t have the body for dancing, I was too tall, too weak, too shy. They forgot to mention too passionate. I had to work harder than anyone else. Other dancers were more flexible and stronger than me. I always left the dance room an hour later because I had to work more. It’s ok though. I enjoyed every minute of it, every single drop of sweat.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My personal goal is to be able to dance for as long as possible and enjoy the unique feeling i experience every time i dance. My mission is to share this passion with others, especially younger people, beginner dancers. We don’t always have to be perfect or flawless. If we love dancing we ll find our way there. Everyone dances differently and it s ok.

Image Credits

Galina Abubekerova Photography