Essence of Afrocuban

Discover how to connect with your spiritual self through Reiki and intuitive practices. Learn about the journey of Leatrice Whitney, a spiritual wellness coach, and how she guides others. In today’s fast-paced world, many people seek a deeper connection with themselves and their surroundings. This is where spiritual practices, like Reiki, come into play. In this blog post, we explore insights from...

Dive deep into the spiritual roots of Benin and their impact on Afro-Caribbean traditions. In this revealing conversation, Alfredo García and Billy Chorron demystify the complexities of the Vodun system, offering a clear view of its principles, hierarchies, and connections with Yoruba and Cuban culture. Did you know that Benin organizes 10 fundamental voices representing attributes of the supreme...

En este episodio, Alfredo García conversa con Joel Herrera, bailarín y músico profundamente conectado con la tradición afro-cubana. Desde su infancia en Matanzas, rodeado de rumba, familia y celebración, hasta su camino por escenarios internacionales, Joel comparte una historia marcada por la cultura, la disciplina y el fuego ancestral. Hablamos de sus raíces, de cómo la música formó su identidad...

What people often call “afro” in salsa classes actually has a name: Afro-Cuban. Afro-Cuban culture is not Africa copied. It is Africa transformed. It was shaped through transculturation, resistance, and creativitywithin the context of European colonization. Its roots come mainly from African regions that are todayNigeria, Benin, and Congo. Orisha, Arará, Palo, Abakuá, Rumba, Salsa —all of this tog...

The word “afro” is used everywhere in the salsa community. But very few people actually know what it means. In this video, I want to bring clarity and awareness , not correction. Because Afro is not a style. Afro means Africa. Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures, rhythms, and ways the body moves. Understanding the roots of what we dance changes the way we move,the way we listen, and t...

She shares the path that led her to discover her Odu, the importance of knowing the divine blueprint that guides your life, and how connecting with your Orisha can shift your destiny in powerful ways. Chantal also opens up about her story —where she comes from, how she began dancing, and the experiences that shaped her spiritual calling. From her first steps in the dance world to receiving  la Man...

Join me as I dive in the world of the orisha and I get to answer this question from my own point of view. If you have any question you can always email me to essenceofafrocuban@gmail.com. I will be more than happy to answer to your question.

Yuniel Gual, bailarín y profesor reconocido a nivel mundial y muy adorado por su elegancia al bailar el Son. En este episodio nos adentramos en su mundo, sus vivencia, la importancia de tener una buena base en como bailarín y nos habla sobre su valiosa experiencia y carrera como bailarín y maestro de bailes cubanos.

🎧 This video comes from the Percussion Tutor app. Here we explore the toques of Osain, the Orisha of the forest, herbs, and healing energy. Each rhythm you’ll hear in this video is named and divided exactly as shown inside the app — so you can start recognizing which toque belongs to which Orisha.00:31 Intro00:32 Talk about Osain & Rhythms03:45 First call- Kuru Kurubete04:20 Second Call- Tiwi...

Discover the fundamentals of Yoruba dance through my book "Essence of Yoruba Dances in Cuba". In this episode, I share the framework that has helped me and my students find cadence, connection, and rhythm — a living dialogue between body, drum, and ancestry. Do you want to learn from me? go to my platform https://www.afrocubanonline.com. Ashe y Bendiciones

In this heartfelt solo episode, I open up about why I’ve been away from the mic — I was called back to the theater to dance. I share my journey of returning to the studio after years away, facing mental and physical blocks, and confronting the voices of doubt in my head. I speak about the deep inner work that helped me reconnect with my craft and how, unexpectedly, my presence has inspired the you...

Por supuesto, aquí tienes una versión mejorada y más envolvente: En un mundo donde todos somos maestros y cada quien sigue su propio camino de aprendizaje, surge una pregunta inevitable: ¿Lo que he aprendido es realmente la verdad? En este episodio, nos tomaremos un momento para profundizar en este cuestionamiento y explorar por qué ciertos Orishas no bailan este toque. Acompáñanos en esta reflexi...

Hoy, Alfredo le da la bienvenida a Damaris Hechevarria, graduada del Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA), bailarina de la compañía folclórica Ban Rara y el cabaret Parisién. Damaris es una bailarina de gran experiencia, profesora de danzas folclóricas y de cabaret. Es reconocida a nivel internacional y se le puede ver en distintos festivales a nivel mundial. Fundadora del Proyecto Alafia Dancers con...

Vey often I get this question from students as there is a big debate whether these to Orisha are dancing this particular step. Dive in with me were I get to answer this question according to my learnings at school and Conjunto Folklorico nacional de Cuba. Conecta con Alfredo en su pagina https://www.afrocubanonline.com y descubre toda una biblioteca visual sobre las danzas afrocubanas. Instagram-h...

En este episodio nos adentramos en lo que la tradición Yoruba se llama Omoluabi. Un concepto que esta basado en los valores del ser humano, como Honestidad, Paciencia, Humildad, etc. De acuerdo a la cultura Yoruba si vives bajo esos preceptos serás un ser completo, balanceado y reconocido en la comunidad por tus principios y valores. Omoluabi es aquella persona que descubre su misión en la vida y...

In this episode of Essence of Afrocuban, we explore the profound journey of Arará culture from its roots in Dahomey (modern-day Benin) to its flourishing presence in the Caribbean. Join us as we uncover the African essence of Arará, delving into the history of its first inhabitants, the spiritual guidance of Ifá, and the rhythms that have transcended time. Whether you’re a dance practitioner or a...

En este episodio, tengo el honor de conversar con **Papito Angarica**, un artista cuya voz ha llevado la esencia de la música afrocubana a escenarios nacionales e internacionales. Nacido en una de las familias más influyentes dentro de la religión afrocubana en Cuba, Papito ha sido cantante del **Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba** y ha dejado su huella en la icónica serie discográfica yoruba**...

"En este episodio de Esencia del Afrocubano, exploramos el vibrante mundo de la rumba y su profundo significado cultural. Nos enfocamos especialmente en el estilo Columbia, una expresión dinámica y de ritmo acelerado donde los bailarines demuestran su agilidad, creatividad y conexión con el tambor. Con su combinación de improvisación y tradición, el Columbia encarna el espíritu de la resilien...

En esta entrevista íntima y llena de inspiración, comparto mi historia desde mis primeros pasos como bailarín hasta convertirme en maestro y autor. 🌟 Hablamos sobre los desafíos y aprendizajes de mi trayectoria, incluyendo las experiencias que marcaron mi vida al dar clases en ciudades como Seoul y Singapore. También revelo qué me motivó a escribir mi libro, un proyecto que nació de mi pasión por...

Today Alfredo welcomes Billy Homeky, known in social media as Billy Chorrón . Engineer and Doctor in Chemical engineering and Biotechnology, Dance Teacher, Dj and Ifa practitioner. He was born and raised in Benin where he started his spiritual journey. In this episode of Essence of Afrocuban, we explore the profound journey of Arará culture from its roots in Dahomey (modern-day Benin) to its flour...

Hoy, Alfredo le da la bienvenida a PapitoChango, graduado como bailarín y profesor de danzas folclóricas en la Escuela Nacional de Arte ENA. Dueño de Bailar Cubano en Hamburg. Babalawo practicante con mas de 20 años de experiencia. PapitoChango nos habla sobre la importancia de aprender los fundamentos tanto de la danza como de la religión, los cuales son primordiales para nuestro crecimiento. Su...

In the very first episode of Essence of Afrocuban, we dive into the vibrant history and cultural significance of Afrocuban dance. Discover how this art form embodies the soul of a people, connects us to ancestral traditions, and continues to inspire dancers worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or simply curious about the rhythms of the diaspora, this episode sets the stage for an enriching...