Salsa in Stirling

Tango in Glasgow

Tango in Stirling

WHAT IS LATINOCISE/SALSACISE?

Latino/Salsacise is a 45 minute dance class suitable for any level (including complete beginners).  Unlike our other classes, in the Latino/Salsacise class you do not dance with a partner.  The aim of the class is 3-fold: to get some exercise, have fun, and learn to dance.  As we dance almost solidly for 45 minutes it’s a great cardio workout, but the best thing is that it doesn’t feel like exercise.  The music is uplifting and makes you feel good (even on a bad day), and it’s also great for toning the tummy, hips and thighs.  It’s easy and anyone can learn it!

Did you know that 45 minutes of latin dancing (especially if you really put some energy into it) can burn 450 calories!

These classes have been running for over 4 years and have been extremely popular.  In the class we learn salsa, merengue, chachacha, bachata, milonga (tango) and a latin american line dance.  The emphasis is on having fun, so don’t worry if you get bits of it wrong.  You’ll manage the majority of the steps in your first class, and will pick the rest up week by week.  We keep the class simple so that we don’t waste time slowing things down learning complicated steps - that time is better spent burning those calories! For those of you who like a little challenge join our Improvers/Intermediate Latino/Salsacise class, or one of our partner dance classes.

How does this differ from classes like Zumba etc?
One of the great things about our classes are that they are THE REAL THING I.e. You learn to dance real, authentic dance steps (which are easily adapted to partner dancing, so when you’re away on your hols in the Carribean, Cuba or Spain you be able to get up on that dance floor and shake your booty with the locals). Unlike many other keep fit dance classes such as Dansacise, Zumba etc where the majority of steps are made up routines and not transferable to the dancefloor,  and are on most occassions taught by people who have no dancing experience, and in some occassions no fitness training.  Nearly everyone who attends our classes (even those with 2 left feet) turns out to be a pretty good dancer!

And to top it all, you can join us at our monthly Latin Party Night - use your new steps to some fabulous music, enjoy the cheap bar and the friendly crowd

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING WITH YOU

You get quite hot, so bring some water to drink.  Wear lightweight clothes and everyday, comfortable, flat shoes without a grip on the sole.  (Trainers are not good for dancing in).  If you really get into Latino/Salsacise, particularly if you join one of our Intermediate classes, we strongly recommend buying a pair of dance trainers - they’re safer and make the dancing so much easier (speak to us if you wish to do this as we have negotiated discounts for our students  at dance shops in Glasgow and Edinburgh)

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE CLASSES
- stand where you can see the instructor’s feet
- watch for the hand-signals telling you when to change steps (sometimes you might not hear the call)
-  Dancing is much gentler on the knees than aerobics, but if you have knee problems, don’t do any of the moves that involve dipping down (just carry on with the basic steps).
- go at your own pace – take a break if you need one
- to get that Latin American body movement try this: start with your knees slightly bent, all the weight on the balls of your feet. Step on the left foot – ball of the foot first and then heel.  As you straighten your leg, take the movement into the hip and waist (you should feel the muscles in hip, waist and bottom working). Stay low down and grounded, keep the top half of the body fairly still (but not rigid), and try not to bob up and down.    Don’t worry if you can’t do it at the start.  It comes with practice.