In the world of dance, safety often takes a backseat to the fun and social atmosphere of parties. However, as conversations around safety in the dance community grow, it’s crucial to address these issues head-on. In this episode, we dive into an enlightening conversation with Lara, the founder of @be.a.safe.place, an initiative dedicated to providing prevention education, safety protocols and support around incidents in the dance scene.

Lara’s journey began from a deeply personal experience. As a victim of violence and abuse within the dance community, she realized that she was not alone in her struggles. "When I shared my story, I found many others who had similar experiences, but there was a prevailing sense of shame that prevented people from speaking up," Laura explains. This realization became the catalyst for the creation of Be a Safe Place, aimed at fostering open conversations and providing support to victims.

Lara emphasizes the importance of trainings for event organizers and staff. "We provide training that reminds them of their legal rights and duties to ensure participant safety," she shares. This training includes trauma-informed listening skills, which are essential for anyone who may be the first point of contact for victims.

Be a Safe Place is committed to creating an environment where victims can feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Lara notes, "It’s not enough to have a safety team; there must be a clear protocol for how to respond to incidents." This highlights the necessity for transparency in what safety teams can offer to victims.

One of the key challenges Lara faces is the reluctance of some organizers to implement safety measures. Many fear that addressing safety concerns could harm their reputation or business. This misalignment in perspectives underscores the critical need for education and awareness within the dance community.

Interestingly, Lara highlights that many organizers are unaware of their legal obligations concerning participant safety. "In France, event organizers have a legal duty to ensure the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of participants," she informs. This includes taking action when a risk is identified, whether it’s addressing a report of inappropriate behavior or creating an environment that fosters open communication.

The conversation with Lara sheds light on the urgent need for safety in the dance community. Key takeaways include the importance of trauma-informed training for organizers, the necessity for clear communication and protocols for safety teams, and the legal responsibilities that event organizers must acknowledge. By fostering a culture of safety and accountability, we can create a dance community where everyone feels secure and valued.

As always, please follow, subscribe, comment, rate, review and join the conversation on our IG @the_real_kiz_podcast

In 2022, Pidjay and her co-founder Bianca realized that many women were struggling with a lack of representation in dance spaces. They shared stories of their experiences and recognized the need for a supportive environment where women could thrive.

Since its inception, WOW has made waves in the Kizomba community, attracting a group of participants eager for growth and connection. The festival is not just about dance; it’s about cultivating a community that understands and uplifts women. The festival integrates programs that focus on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, ensuring that attendees leave feeling inspired and empowered.

For those interested in exploring the WOW Festival further, visit their website for upcoming events and insights. @wow.kizomba my.weezevent.com/world-of-women-4

PIDJAY @pidjay_ @pidjay.enora

Winner of the Olympiades of Kizomba 2025 (Solo Styling category), Pidjay is a powerful dancer and dedicated teacher based in Paris. Starting her journey at the heart of the UrbanKiz scene, she had the opportunity to learn and train with some of the very best artists from the beginning of her UrbanKiz path.

Today, in partnership with Enora, she is recognized as one of the leading female dancers, both as a leader and a follower. Through her innovative concepts, “Ladies Can Lead Too” and “Kiz n Swap,” she shares her knowledge and experience with dancers worldwide.

As the founder of the WOW Kizomba movement, Pidjay has empowered many women across the globe to take the lead not only in dance, but also about their own role in the kizomba community and overall happiness on the dance floor.

MARIA MALUCA @mariamalucahh

Maria began dancing at a young age, exploring various dance styles before discovering Salsa at the age of 16. This sparked her passion for partner dancing and eventually led her to Kizomba, a dance that soon became a life-changing experience.

In 2011, she founded tudokizomba, an organization dedicated to Kizomba events and courses and creating a kizomba community in North Germany.

Since then, her journey has developed into a successful international career as a teacher and dancer alongside her first dance partnership with Arnold Bunda.

Maria focuses primarily on Kizomba and Semba, sharing her knowledge with high energy, joy, and a deep understanding of the dances and their cultural roots.

Maria’s work is characterized by precise pedagogical methods, extensive knowledge of the dances and culture she teaches, and strong event management experience. Over the years she has choreographed numerous projects and supported many dancers and event organizers by mentoring in 1on1 sessions or her own teacher training concept.

As an organizer, Maria runs events in Hamburg and across Europe, ranging from workshops and social parties to larger festivals such as the Ginga Kizomba Festival. The focus of her events goes beyond presenting great dancing; she aims to promote strong teaching skills, professionalism, and a healthy development of the community.

Among her latest projects is A Bailar – Dance School Hamburg, a collaboration between SalsaDiversion, El Chevere (Cuban Salsa schools), and tudokizomba. The school is located in a beautiful venue with six dance rooms and offers weekly classes and events for the local dance community.

Maria’s mission within the kizomba community is to share her vision and experience through a positive attitude and professional work style. She maintains a strong connection to the authenticity of the dances while creating joyful and memorable experiences for dancers. Her goal is to contribute to a sustainable, respectful, and thriving future for the local and international kizomba community.

In the dance world, confidence is not just a desirable trait; it's essential. But how do you cultivate this confidence? In this post, we’ll explore five essential strategies to help you build a strong sense of self-worth and resilience as a dancer. With insights from Anita, a sovereignty and integration coach for dancers, we’ll uncover the deeper issues that affect our confidence and how to address them.

Dancing is not just about technique; it’s also about the relationship you have with yourself. Often, dancers struggle with comparisons and self-doubt. Recognizing that these feelings are more about your personal relationship with yourself rather than just your dancing skills is crucial. As Anita explains, "Confidence is a byproduct of knowing your own worth."

Embrace Your Unique Journey

*Why This Matters: Each dancer has a unique path filled with challenges and triumphs. Embracing your journey can help you appreciate your growth.

*How to Do It: Reflect on your experiences and how they have shaped you. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

*Common Mistake: Many dancers focus solely on their shortcomings. Instead, celebrate your achievements.

Develop a Sovereign Mindset

*Why This Matters: A sovereign dancer is resilient and self-aware. This mindset helps you navigate challenges in dance and life.

*How to Do It: Practice self-acceptance. Understand that it’s okay to be where you are right now while still striving to grow.

*Common Mistake: Avoid equating confidence with perfection. Accept that growth is a continuous journey.

Set Boundaries in Dance and Life

*Why This Matters: Setting boundaries is crucial for your self-respect and well-being.

*How to Do It: Learn to say no when something doesn’t feel right. Prioritize your comfort and safety on the dance floor.

*Common Mistake: Many dancers fear rejection and avoid asserting their boundaries, leading to discomfort.

Shift the Focus from External Validation to Internal Fulfillment

*Why This Matters: Seeking approval from others can undermine your confidence.

*How to Do It: Focus on what makes you happy in dance. Seek joy in the process rather than external accolades.

*Common Mistake: Don’t tie your self-worth to competition results or external feedback.

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Reflection

*Why This Matters: Mindfulness helps you stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings.

*How to Do It: Incorporate meditation or journaling into your routine to reflect on your experiences and emotions.

*Common Mistake: Many dancers neglect their mental health in favor of physical training.

Building confidence as a dancer requires a deep understanding of yourself and a commitment to personal growth. By embracing your unique journey, developing a sovereign mindset, setting boundaries, focusing on internal fulfillment, and practicing mindfulness, you can cultivate a lasting confidence that enhances not only your dancing but your overall life.

Check out Anita’s work for more insights on building a sovereign relationship with yourself @risingdancerscoaching on IG.

Anita is a Sovereignty & Integration Coach for dancers and founder of Rising Dancers Coaching, based in Amsterdam who’s been coaching dancers for 5+ years. With 20+ years across competitive ballroom, contemporary, jazz and bachata, she built a methodology addressing what most dance training skips entirely. She works with dancers stuck in comparison, approval-seeking, and never feeling enough, and helps them build something the dance world rarely teaches: a sovereign relationship with themselves. A Sovereign Dancer is stronger, more resilient, and harder to manipulate, abuse, or keep silent. That's not a side effect of her work. That's the point. She is also a vocal advocate for a safer, healthier dance culture, because the two are inseparable.