I've always wanted to try learning to dance so after establishing if it was something JD was up for (he was) I had a look around for classes in Harrogate. I found an offer for 4 Salsa classes for £10 per person so we snapped it up. The classes were on a Tuesday night at 8.45pm at a local social club.
We didn't know what to expect but we were looking forward to getting started. The night we went there were also two other couples starting so it was nice not to be the only newbs.
Tamara, the teacher, led us in learning the basic steps of salsa. It felt like we were thrown in at the deep end having never danced salsa before but it was really fun. That first week we learned several different steps, turns and movements to join together to music. It felt great to be dancing the steps along to salsa music.
As we're learning the steps we all assemble around Tamara in pairs. After we've gone through a short sequence the women rotate around to the next man, so everyone dances with different partners in turn. I was initially nervous to do this but it really helps to dance with guys of different experience as they can lead you in the steps to help learn them. A couple of guys in the class were really tall, I had to go on tiptoes to manage some of the turns!
Some of the steps are difficult to get right, it takes practise and perseverence to keep trying. I managed not to stand on anyone's feet so that's good. It felt stressful at times going through the steps wanting to get them right. Most exercise you can just muddle along at your pace but with dance classes you have to do the thing the same as everyone else.
There's often more women than men so if there isn't a guy free you can practise the steps alone. I sometimes used this time to catch my breath as the dancing is non-stop from the second the class starts. It feels like a good exercise for your arms as much as your legs because of the moves where you hold your arms up or in position as you dance.
The pictures don't do us justice, imagine a graceful Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Salsa dancing sexily around the dance floor! Haha, I wish, but we were getting it. It became easier to learn the moves and steps the more we danced. One tip if you want to try Salsa is to wear some shoes with no grips so you can spin/turn easier. Apparently I don't own any shoes that aren't trainers or flip flops so I struggled a bit with my shoes sticking to the dance floor.
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| Tamara and me. |
After each class there's a chance for a drink and a chat so it's a nice way to get to know the other dancers. Not for us, we have to run home to bed after the class finishes as it's already past our bedtime!
Classes are usually £5 per person which is great value. Tamara also teaches Bachata as well as Salsa in other venues. You can find all the details on her Facebook page
HarrogateSalsa
Previously on Emma's Exercise Experiments:
Gym
Yoga
Bootcamp
Boxing
Pilates
Tai Chi
Pokemon Go
Aquafit
Outside Gym
