What is Salsa?

Ok, Salsa in a restaurant is a tasty Mexican dip or sauce! 

In the dance world however it is an exciting dance, that not only gets you out of the house to mix with other people on a healthy level, but can actually tone you up and help you get fit. Plus it is loads of fun. 

Q. Can anyone dance Salsa?

Yes, basically if you can march on the spot alternating your feet from left to right you can learn to dance Salsa. The basic step of Salsa is the Mambo. You may have heard many different styles of Salsa for example: Cuban, LA, New York style, On two. You may also have heard of Merengue, Bachatta and Son. We tend to dance New York Style on One. But we have been trained in Cuban Style too.

Q. Do I need a partner?

No, we do tend to do a warm up as solo dancers, then I ask the group to get with a partner, some of the students do come with a partner, I rotate the class  so if you are on your own, you won't be for long, this also gives you chance to meet new friends

 I have made no end of special friends dancing Salsa, before I discovered Salsa I was just visiting clubs and doing my thing on the dance floor, not mixing much at all, Salsa has changed all that.  Now I have 10 times more fun dancing and meeting lots more people and helping others to dance too.

Q. I am a little shy, will I stand out on my own?

Not in the least, that is why I encourage students to rotate partners, we are a real social group too, Salsa is a fantastic way to improve your social life.  "Your social life is what holds you together, it can get you through anything, including a dead-end career."

Q. What if I don't get it at first, does that mean its not for me?

No, let me just tell you a secret. I had no end of fun when I first learned Salsa. When I got it wrong and sometimes still do, it just puts a smile on my face. One time I  messed up a step as a student and looked up to see if anyone else was looking at me, only to notice the rest of the room messing up and also smiling at themselves.

Relax and don't be embarrassed. Many people get embarrassed at the thought of dancing. Well everybody else will be dancing, and they are beginners learning just like you, all in the same boat.
I am keen to encourage you and understands how it feels to try it for the first time. So join in, let go, have some fun and relax.

What should I wear?

Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes to dance in, with smooth soles it can be hard to turn or spin in trainers as they tend to stick to the floor. You also get warm when you dance and you don't want to hurt your feet with uncomfortable shoes. So leave your cardigans and trainers at home!

What music is played?

 Salsa is danced to the music of the Clave of two bars, each of 4 beats. Dancers will, typically, dance 3 steps on beats 1, 2 and 3 and then pause very briefly on beat 4. We dance again on beats 5, 6 and 7 and then pause again on beat 8. We generally dance New York style Salsa on beat 1.