“Alienor Salmon doesn’t just walk the talk, she dances it. Timely, insightful and practical…Finding Rhythm reminds us of the importance of not just knowing but actually embodying powerful research on how to be resilient and find happiness in a constantly changing world.”
–––Shawn Achor, NY Times bestselling author of Big Potential

Finding Rhythm is the story of a woman’s search for authenticity, connection and creativity in an overly rational world. It beautifully captures the power of dance as a tool for self-healing and allowing our inner child to cultivate joy to discover our true essence.
––– Dr. Nicole LePera, The Holistic Psychologist

“A journey through the many rhythms of Latin America, Finding Rhythm is a sincere appreciation for Latin Americans, their warmth, and close social relationships. Aliénor Salmon reminds us about the central importance of human connection as the key to our happiness in the journey of life.”
— Mariano Rojas, Happiness Economist and Past President at the International Society for Quality of Life Studies

One woman embarked on a dance journey around the world, finding out how each dance tells a story of its country and learning how beautiful life can be when you take the lead.

If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be? Aliénor Salmon was working a high-powered job in Bangkok when a friend asked her the question that turned life as she knew it on its heels. A novice dancer but experienced social researcher, the Franco-British Aliénor headed west from Bangkok to dance her way through Latin America. As she learns eighteen dances, each native to the countries she visits, she engages with esoteric customs, traditions, and cultures. Through conversations and arduous studio hours, she learns that every step, pivot, and shake thrums with an undeniable spirit of place. And that in a world where we are over-connected but increasingly disconnected from one another, dance offers an authentically human experience. One that allows her to develop tolerance, kindness, truth, and love by holding the hands of a stranger and gazing into their eyes for the time of a song.

With her fearless and candid approach, Aliénor will inspire you to take the reins of your own life—and have some fun along the way. In this dance-travelogue, you’ll learn the history and steps of dances like salsa, bachata, and tango, enjoy a resplendent meditation on happiness and wanderlust, and receive a life-affirming answer to the question of How do I take the first step?

Aliénor Salmon is a French-British writer, researcher and communications consultant. She graduated from King’s College London with a masters in War Studies. She worked as a field researcher on education issues in Mongolia and along the Thailand/Myanmar border, before eventually settling in Bangkok where she worked for UNESCO. Since Aliénor completed her dance journey, she considers herself to be a “dance ambassador” aiming to promote the discovery of cultures through dance as well as its multiple benefits for well-being and personal development.