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FAQ's
What is Salsa? Salsa is both a dance and a genre of music. The dance in its current form has been in existence for approximately forty years but the origins of its constituent parts, or we could say the necessary ingredients for Salsa, have been simmering for closer to 500 years.Deriving from son, pachanga, guajira, guaguanco, guaracha, mambo, rumba, chachacha; the expression Salsa today can be considered a generic term incorporating elements of all of these Caribbean rhythms and musical styles. Invariably all Salsa music has been composed with the main objective of being danced to.With a resurgence of interest in partner dancing in recent years Salsa has become the most popular dance form in the country and has led to London being termed the ‘Salsa capital’ of Europe.As a dance Salsa is synonymous with all that it means to be Latin. The dance is fun, vibrant, dynamic, energetic, uplifting, passionate……
Why dance Salsa? Salsa classes provide a fun, social environment to learn a new skill and serve as the perfect antidote to a day in the office. As well as toning the body and improving one’s posture, dancing provides an excellent cardio-vascular workout, which strengthens the heart and stimulates the body to burn fat, thus aiding weight loss. Salsa is certainly a fun and pain-free way of doing that! Dancers report improvements in both strength and energy. The environment in which learning takes place also encourages interaction with others and increases self-esteem. The sense of well-being experienced when one masters movements is also a great part of Salsa.
I’ve never done any kind of dancing before – is it going to be embarrassing? First and foremost our classes are about having fun and learning something new. Everyone has been a beginner at some stage and everybody has probably felt a little awkward attending their first ever class. But relax – you are amongst like-minded people, a mixture of age groups, all keen to learn while having fun, and under the watchful eye of highly qualified teachers who have taught literally thousands of students. Just enjoy the experience.
What if I have 2 left feet? Many people tell us they have two left feet. Most of them are now accomplished dancers and I like to remind them of what they once said about their natural dance skills! We pride ourselves on our patience and our ability to break down and explain Salsa movements. So be patient with yourself and determine to give Salsa a fair crack of the whip. If you can get out to more than one class a week and do additional practice that’s great; if not, don’t despair. Like anything worth learning, becoming an accomplished Salsa dancer can take time, but is well worth the effort. Remember, Salsa is a journey, not a destination and you are guaranteed a lot of fun along the way, as long as you don’t take yourself too seriously.
What should I wear? As with most dancing, attention should be given to comfort and freedom of movement. The simple answer is: come along wearing something you feel comfortable in. Because our classes take place in a bar/club setting and not a dance studio, some form of casual clothing is the norm. It may take a couple of classes to work out what kind of clothing and footwear works best for you. One recommendation we make is for ladies to wear a shoe with a slight heel and a smooth sole. This facilitates spins and turns. However, many students have found that they feel very comfortable in dance trainers.
What kind of Salsa do you teach? The dancing taught by most teachers in this country can be divided into two broad categories: Cuban and Cross-body (which incorporates New York/Puerto Rican and LA style salsa)
At Salsa Esperienza all teachers are required to dance and teach both styles. The distinction is a useful one to make since the emphasis of the lead, general movement around the floor, and various style factors do vary between the two and even within the different cross-body variations. That said, these two categories are not mutually exclusive and many dancers move freely from one style into another, meaning the dance can always look and feel spontaneous.
Sadly a recent trend has seen many of the new wave of teachers less familiar with the traditional Cuban salsa, meaning new dancers are being exposed less and less to the joys of this wonderful style. In reality both of these styles have so much to offer and to learn one without the other means missing out on some great moves.
Do I need to book a place? No. Classes are run on a drop-in basis, so simply turn up and pay on the night. By all means though, do feel free to contact us before attending for the first time if you wish. At each of the venues, classes are not run as a course but are on-going, with new students starting every week. The beginner’s class is designed specifically to introduce absolute beginners to the basics of Salsa footwork and partner dancing.
Do I need to bring a partner? No. If you can come along with someone that’s great, but it is by no means obligatory. We have many couples attending classes and many people who come along on their own or with several other friends. Classes are run using a rotation system, which means that in any one class you will have the opportunity to dance with many different people, by changing partners every few minutes. This greatly improves leading and following skills and allows students to learn from each other in an informal and supportive atmosphere. It also contributes to the social nature of Salsa and certainly adds to the fun of the class. If you do have a partner it does mean, of course, that you have no excuse for not getting in lots of practice outside of the lessons!
What happens if I can’t make it every week? That’s no problem. The classes operate on an ongoing basis, not as a course. The beginners class will cover a set number of core moves every five or six weeks. Due to the endless number of moves and combinations once you reach improver/intermediate level, you can pick up the lessons any time and effectively carry on from where you left off. That said, continuity is obviously a key to becoming an accomplished dancer.
How can I get good quickly? Salsa is similar to every other skill. It requires a positive attitude, practice, a willingness to learn from others, and not being afraid to make mistakes along the way. We always feel sad when we see someone come along for a salsa class one week and then never see them again….ever! Despite our passion for Salsa we of course acknowledge that it may not be for everyone. However, the keys to success are certainly consistency and a positive attitude. We have taught thousands of students over the years and we have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t been able to learn if that’s what they desire to do.