ZoukNerds • Learn | Build | Belong

"Oh, but I've done everything. There's nothing left to learn." I hear this from intermediate Brazilian Zouk dancers all the time, and it's exactly why they're stuck in what my students named the Intermediate Purgatory. In this ZoukNerds episode, me and Gui Prada talk about why dancers plateau, and what "advanced" actually means. Most people stuck here don't...

For years I watched people learn a Brazilian Zouk move off one video and just do it, and I'd think, what is wrong with me? I'm a slow learner. Always have been. That's the dance FOMO I want to get into today, because I think it's quietly slowing you down. Gui Prada brought a story that stuck with me. One of his students stopped taking classes for a while, just went social dancing....

I woke up at 4:40 in the morning over money I couldn't find and a flight I hadn't packed for. That's me, supposedly the guy with good boundaries. This is dance burnout in Brazilian Zouk, me and Gui Prada falling apart in real time. Gui recorded from Taiwan at, his words, 30% capacity. "If I sit down after this class, I'm not coming up again." Then he laughed: "I don&...

Why do students quit a Brazilian Zouk class that's actually working? A student told Gui she learned nothing in his lead-and-follow course, then listed all the classes she loved. Same student, opposite signals, and it happens more than teachers admit. Gui and I break down the gap between what students say they want and what they really want. The reframe that stuck with me: she said she wanted a...

How do you become a full-time Brazilian Zouk teacher, and actually survive on it? When I moved to Australia I had five jobs. McDonald's, cleaning, security, surveys, housekeeping. I dropped them one at a time as the dance income grew, and it still took me three years to go full-time, nine or ten more before I had savings instead of just survival. Gui Prada, Adayl Iost and I tell the real money...

Marathon vs festival: which Brazilian Zouk event actually fits you right now? Gui went to his first full marathon and danced ten hours, and he was less tired than after a normal event day. When I heard that, it matched something I'd felt for years but never said out loud. So Gui, Adayl Iost and I finish our event map, educational events, holiday events, and dance marathons, so you can pick wha...

What's the best Brazilian Zouk event for you right now, an expo, a weekender, or a retreat? Gui Prada, Adayl Iost and I will be honest about what each one is actually for. An expo is a taste of the whole world: you get a taste of everything, but not enough time with a teacher to understand their methodology. Gui calls the big expo a franchise fair. His example is Interfusion in DC: more than a...

Is your Jack and Jill placement actually telling you how good you are at Brazilian Zouk? I don't think it is. And I judge these competitions. Gui Prada, Adayl Iost and I pull apart two things people treat as one dance: social dancing on the floor, and dancing in a Jack and Jill. They are not the same. I'll put my hands up here. For my first six or seven years of Jack and Jill, I competed l...

Brazilian Zouk has a problem nobody says out loud: people are social dancing like they're doing a demo, and it's quietly killing the thing that made us fall in love with this dance. I used to go to socials and not get a single dance. Not one. I was too busy watching, and Gui Prada, Adayl Iost and I landed on what that makes us: social dance stalkers. Back before YouTube, the only way to ge...

In this episode, the hosts of ZoukNerds conclude their season four recap by delving into the significant topic of 'bolsistas' in Brazilian dance, discussing its past and present relevance. Alisson Sandi, Gui Prada, and Adayl Iost explore the merits and challenges of the scholarship system, specifically its application in current dance schools. They also dive deep into different teaching me...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, Alisson Sandi and his co-hosts recap Season 4, discussing key interviews and topics, focusing on the differences between being a local and traveling teacher. Joined by Gui Prada in São Paulo and Adayl Iost in Portland, they delve into issues like local teacher recognition, cultural influences on teaching, the importance of local dance communities, and challenges faced...

In this engaging episode of ZoukNerds, host Alisson Sandi together with co-hosts Gui Prada and Adayl Iost continues the conversation with renowned Brazilian Zouk dancers Pedro and Ana from Rio de Janeiro who now reside in Toronto. The discussion delves into balancing professional partnerships, social dancing, and personal life challenges, including being far from family and their journey within th...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, hosts Alisson Sandi, Gui Prada, and Adayl Iost interview Pedro and Ana, talented dancers from Rio de Janeiro now residing in Toronto, Canada. They discuss the challenges and joys of building a successful dance partnership, their journey from starting in Brazilian Zouk to becoming established teachers, and their transition to life in Canada. They also share insights on...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, hosts Alisson Sandi, Gui Prada, and Adayl Iost continue their interview with Leandro and Nayara. They delve into the unique, inclusive teaching methodology developed by Leandro and Nayara, exploring how it caters to students of different skill levels and interests. The discussion includes how this approach was adapted post-pandemic and its implementation in their trav...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, host Alisson Sandi, along with co-hosts Gui Prada and Adayl Iost, delve into the significance of location on success in the Zouk dance world. Featuring special guests Leandro and Nayara, the podcast explores their journey in Brazilian Zouk, their teaching methodologies, and how staying in São Paulo influenced their careers. Leandro and Nayara share personal stories ab...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, hosts Alisson Sandi and Gui Prada engage in an in-depth conversation with Fernando and Olga, renowned for their 'Zouk Atoms' methodology, about their experiences and insights on becoming prominent figures in the international Zouk dance community. They discuss the need for dance instructors to create an engaging, human-focused learning environment that prioritizes soc...

In this episode of ZoukNerds, hosts Alisson Sandi and Gui Prada engage with guests Fernando and Olga to explore their unique Zouk teaching methodology known as 'Zouk Atoms.' The conversation delves into Fernando and Olga's journey from local teachers in Bremen, Germany, to international instructors. They discuss the importance of being authentic, connecting with students on a human level, and the...

In this engaging episode of ZoukNerds, hosts Alisson Sandi, Gui Prada, and Adayl Iost delve into the second part of a heartfelt conversation with Pedro and Cibele, a dance duo from São José dos Campos, SP - Brazil. The pair shares their inspirational journey from dreaming of dance in their youth to becoming renowned professionals on the international stage. They discuss the power of persistence, p...

This episode of ZoukNerds features hosts Alisson Sandi, Gui Prada, Adayl Iost, and special guests Pedro and Cibele. They discuss the journey from being students to becoming professional dancers and instructors in Brazilian Zouk and Lambada, exploring the steps and mindset necessary to succeed in the dance world. They emphasize the importance of hard work, believing in oneself, and being kind and a...

In this episode, your host Alisson Sandi together with Freddy & Andressa deep dive into a rich discussion about the balance between aesthetic and functional movement in dancing. They explore the importance of aesthetics in attracting newcomers to the dance and emphasize why maintaining functional movements ensures sustainable and safe dance practices. The session also touches on cultural influ...

In this enlightening episode, Alisson Sandi, Leo Neves, Val Clemente and Becky Crystal take a deep dive into the concept of elasticity in their dance style, Zouk. They discuss how to interpret elasticity in social dancing, and how to adapt to various partners and dance styles. Questions from live viewers add more depth to the discussion, exploring topics such as how to maintain elasticity while ex...

Dancing, Learning, and Connecting In this first ever episode, three Brazilian Zouk dance teachers, Alisson, Andressa, and Léo share their thoughts on how different learning practices and techniques from around the globe have impacted their personal dance journey. They discuss how dance styles like Tango, Bolero, and West Coast Swing have enhanced their Brazilian Zouk techniques. Andressa shares ho...