FAQ's for Dancing

Applies to most classes; but specifically for Salsa Latina Academy; Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Cha Cha, Merengue Dance Classes.

​

Can I bring a friend?

Yes you can bring as many as you like for a first free class in begginners 101 at Salsa Latina, remember only in the 1st week is a FREE class. You can bring them up to week#2 in a beginners course at the latest, but you will need to show them the basics to get a head start or encourage them to watch the Free videos or take our online beginner courses to get them moving. Please ask your friends to register/enrol online to save time also.

 

Can I come take a look?

Feel free to come and watch any running classes, anytime they are running, we recommend to come & watch one of our higher Latin dance levels, see our timetable so you know the times these are on

​

Can I try first before paying?

You are welcome to attend the first week of any of our courses for free as a way to try before you commit to the course. We recommend registering for the class in advance so that you can receive updates and information about the class. However, if you miss registering online, you can still register on the day of the free class during the first week of the course.

Once you register for a course, you only need to do so once, and you can join any course at any time, as long as it is within the first two weeks of a new beginner course. For a list of our course start dates and to register......see start dates & register on this page >

 

Do I need to bring a partner?

There's no need to bring anyone as there are always plenty of people to dance with. Partners are rotated regularly in class time so you get a chance to dance with different people, learn faster and experience different leading and following. However you are also welcome and encourage to bring people with you. If there is an unbalance of Male to Female ratio we can make up numbers in the following weeks with more experienced dancers.

​

If I'm bringing a partner do I have to swap?

You don't have-to swap, but we do very much encourage swapping as Salsa & Latin Dancing are social partner dance styles that anyone can dance with anyone. Swapping also aids learning to a huge degree, so you are not stuck with one persons bad habits or repetitive mistakes while trying the same partner moves with different people breaks this cycle. Plus its more social & fun to swap dance partners. You could always go over with your partner after class, this is an advantage to learn if you can practice with someone. If you really don't want to swap that is okay too, we know some people start off very shy and feel like they need this, so please let us know in advanced when you turn up for your first time, as we have some tips during the class so you can stay together.

 

Do I need to enrol?

Ideally yes, this saves time on the first day as we tend to get many people for the 1st class. If you don't enrol, yes you can turn up and do a hand written enrolment or one of our iPads at the main desk, no problem.. But best to do it here ...... Enrol here >

​

Public Holidays Activities?

Generally most classes and many events still run on pubic Holidays except for Christmas period, there are some classes that might not run, but that the exception. If you are not sure please see our timetable and join our newsletter or see news so you are informed.

​

Is there Memberships?

We don't have memberships for doing classes at Salsa Latina, but you will need to register or enrol before taking classes so you are on our system. It will only need to be done once.

​

What are Shines?

These classes are essential solo dancing, with no partner. You can focus your learning  on body movement, style, flavour & dance technique.  It's a great way to learn to dance without a partner, mastering solo dancing is a main key for learning to dance better. If you can't dance without a partner you can't dance with one. .. .. read more about the benefits & importance of shines here>

 

I have done some classes, do I still join beginners?

100% Yes, you will need to start with Beginners 101 week#1 or week#2 at the latest. Even if you have done many of these classes from others or Free Intro's which are at a very basic level, we highly recommend joining beginners even if you are at a higher level. This is because our fundamental system & shines (footwork) are packed with information and are progressive, meaning we build from one class to the next till the level builds higher. We don't teach random things like some other dance schools do. From 2021 you won't be able to just jump into a higher level without a grading and certificate, see below "All about gradings".... If you have been to another dance school and been learning for some time, please contact us so we can fit you in the right class. Contact us here >

​

Can I join half way through a course?

It depends:
- New Beginners will need to join on week#1 or week#2. Week#3 & beyond is to hard to join in. Unless you get private lessons or learnt from another school, it's best to wait for the next course. So in short, can new beginners join half way through the course, probably not.
- If you have done Salsa before from another school, yes you could join part way through a beginner course. Above this you would need to be graded or assessed, so please contact a teacher if you are in this situation

- New Improver/Intermediate levels, joining the first two weeks its the best idea.
- Improver/Intermediate that have been dancing for sometime, over (8 weeks) in the same level, you can literally join in any week. So the answer is yes you can join half way through a course.

​

What Level am I? ..where should I start?

This follows on from the previous question. It is always best to join the Beginners level group lesson as each instructor has his/her own style and teaching methods. The name beginners isn't just for beginners, It's level '1' or 101, it's also designed for people that have learnt dance style in the past somewhere else, to learn or re-learn the style, as all Salsa & Latin Dance styles are not the same.

There are also series of shines or footwork you need to know as well, all of the fundamentals & shines you'll need to know by name to progress.  With the Salsa Latina Salsa & Latin Dance Classes, there is a specific system that builds on itself, missing a level or a few classes will hold you back or drown in the deep end. It would be like missing part of the foundation of a building out. So to get a compete picture we specialise in making sure you cover all the fundamentals. From 2021 you won't be able to just jump into a higher level without a grading and certificate, see below "All about gradings"....

​

Gradings

Progressing to the next level in Salsa, Bachata or Kizomba you will need to do a grading on the last week of the 101 course to join a higher level. You wont be able to join higher levels than 101 without grading from 2021. On week#8 of the 101 level there will be a grading/revision class, this is a fairly easy & fun class, focusing on revision of moves done at this level and this is a chance for Salsa Latina Teachers to give you direct feedback on your dancing. Benefits include; making sure people are at the right level, focused training to find your weaknesses/strengths. ...read all about gradings on the grading page here >

​

Can I get a head start?

It's a great idea to get a head start before you take classes, its not needed, but hey why not! Private lessons used to be the only way but now there are online courses that we offer. While our group classes are designed for the complete beginner, learning a little before you join dance courses as a beginner will increase your confidence and help you have more fun, which only increases your learning. Try our 3 free videos so you can try the basic steps, no partner needed either. You can try out 3 different dance styles; Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba basic steps. This will help when you decide what classes to take and make the most of the experience. Or if you have already started classes, use these videos to practice. As they say, 'practice makes perfect', but really 'perfect practice makes perfect'. Make sure you are learning the correct thing, our videos line up with our regular courses..... see the video collection here and get your 3 free vids to kick off.

 

I'm stuck and not progressing!

This is a normal phase during dance education. Sometimes the best way out of a dance rut is to take Private lessons. This can usually fix both the feeling of things being too easy or too hard.... Private Lessons >
Another idea, is to get some serious dancing practice is also in order, so a great way to get better is not only group classes and social dancing beneficial but online classes, check out our online courses here. 

 

What should I wear?

Dress for convenience and comfort, so you can concentrate on learning. Gym wear or casual cloths are common. Dress to impress for Salsa club nights & events.

 

Do I need special footwear?

For Salsa & Latin Dancing its recommend that you wear leather-soled shoes or dance shoes. Most sneakers or other shoes with rubber or spongy soles can stick to the floor during turns and spins and cause ankle and knee injuries. Some street shoes are okay too, the best types of shoes are non bulky, flexible and light shoes that don't have to much tred so its slips more.  However in the first few classes at the beginner level, anything comfortable is ok. We do recommend dance shoes, dance heels or jazz shoes as you start to progress, or you could get some before you start. We stock dance shoes for men & women at our in house Salsa Latina store via "Izadora Couture">

 

What will I learn?

Everything you need to feel comfortable on the dance floor - so you can have a great time and able to freestyle partner dance with anyone, anywhere in the world to Salsa & Latin music! The same fundamentals are used if you want to take it further into performance & competitions. We cover basic structure and techniques of dancing with and without a partner. The more you understand the fundamentals the faster you can develop your own style.

​

Do I need to bring anything?

Because dancing is also cardio exercise, we recommend that you bring a hand-towl. We also have drinks available for purchase or bring a drink to keep your fluid intake up. Also with all partner dancing think 'more' about personal hygiene by making sure your breath is sweet and use deodorant.

 

How long will it take me to learn to dance well?

Everyone learns at a different rate which makes this a hard question to answer!

Every student will learn the basic steps and have two or three variations in their first class. In every lesson you will learn more and have more fun. The best way to learn is to take these group and private classes, be familiar with the music (listen to Salsa at home) and practice! This makes all the difference between a fast and slow learner. We recommend that you take classes, private lessons now and again but most importantly attend socials/parties and dance with everybody to get the best results!

 

Do I need to Practice?

We recommend for every 1hr learnt you should practice 2hrs-3hrs to make it stick, and to get the most out of class practicing simple things like the basics, or practicing 5mins a day will even make a huge difference. Social nights like Salsa Parties are good too, usually the start of the night there are slower songs as Salsa Latina. 
Not going to Social dancing is like learning to drive but never driving on the road, social dancing is where Salsa & Latin Dancing becomes a part of you. You can also get all of your practice in one evening dancing at an event or Salsa Dance Party and have fun getting fit at the same time. Even practicing a few mins a day at home will make a huge difference. If you don't have a partner, practice your shines or footwork.

Practicas Make the most out of lessons with practice .There are time slots before or after class that are deisgned to be used. Practice makes pefect! These pratice slots are Free for Salsa latina Students! Guides & Taxi dancers may also be available to get help if needed.

We also have a huge range of videos on our website you can use to help practice with some free ones to start... see here >

 

Should I use Youtube to help learning?

We generally discourage the use of YouTube and Instagram videos as a learning tool for Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba dance techniques. These videos can be misleading, confusing, and often do not adhere to proper technique. Anyone, including new or beginner dancers, can post videos with incorrect information, leading to a lot of disinformation circulating online. It's difficult for new or even experienced dancers to discern good quality content from poor quality content, as good quality education is not typically offered for free online. Even paid online content or DVDs can vary widely in terms of quality. Therefore, it's essential to research the teacher or dancer and their background before investing time and money in their content.

Additionally, there is the issue of the different styles of Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, which can vary greatly. Street dance forms often have multiple flavors and styles, leading to incompatible moves and incorrect understandings of how to teach these dance forms. It's always best to learn hands-on and supplement your learning with relevant information.

​

We have a programme called "Salsa Latina TV", it's a series of comprehensive online courses for learning Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba techniques from the ground up focusing on the individual. These video classes are aligned with our in-person courses, allowing you to get a head start or enhance your learning experience. We even offer some free videos to get you started. Check out our online classes to learn more.

 

When will I get good? ....& Beginners Hell.

"When beginners ask me that question, I can't help but smile. My usual answer is two simple words: 'IT DEPENDS'. I always suggest educating yourself about what Beginner's go through during the beginning phases of learning" more here >

 

Do I need private lessons?

If you want a head start or to jump levels, private lessons are the fastest way to learn. But we don't usually recommend private lessons until you have started classes unless you want a confidence boost. Ideally group classes are the best place to start and if you need a convince boost or want a head start do consider our online classes, there's even some free video classes to help with you basic steps. Generally, we recommend that you do both private and group classes to feel the greatest benefit. After a few weeks of dancing private lessons are great for working on good technique, ironing out bad habits and catering information directly for you. Also if you get behind in classes, or miss a class you could always try taking a private lesson to catch up. Privates lessons you can either come with your partner or as a one on one. .... more here>

 

Latin Dancing & International Latin, what's the difference?

Authentic Street Latin vs Ballroom style/Dance sport... what is the difference? These two types of Latin dancing are easily mixed up, one is a modern freestyle dance that we teach, the other isn't, its a ballroom style- see article page for more info

 

Should I Learn Salsa first?

If you're not sure we do recommend to start with Salsa classes because it’s the worlds leading & most popular Latin dance & the worlds most popular partner dance in general  Information learnt in this course is transferable to other styles too. In our Salsa courses you will learn universal techniques, like hand holds, o/c positions and footwork & turning techniques that are used in all Latin dances including Bachata, Mambo, Merengue, Kizomba & Cha Cha etc. You can always learn more than one style at once or learn other styles like Bachata or Kizomba first as well, it really depends what you like. We recommend coming to a class to watch to see what styles you like, or come to social dancing events because these are all danced in the same parties & social dance nights.

 

Am I too young, old, small or big?

Latin dancing is for everyone, if you can walk you can dance. We can guarantee there will be people of all shapes, sizes & ages.

Salsa dancing has people as young as 4 years old, or to a very mature age, enjoying this wonderful pastime.

To dance salsa is a natural human activity comes with many benefits, as follows.....

​

What Should I Do If I Am Being Harassed??

The latin dance community is a massive social environment, and we have measures to help with issues if they arise within the bounds of our school. Our Latin dance school, Salsa Latina, is dedicated to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all of our students. We prioritize providing a space where every student can enjoy the many benefits of dance without fear of discrimination, harassment, or any other form of inappropriate behavior.... see our code of conduct here >

 

What are the Benefits of Salsa & Latin Dancing?

- Salsa & Latin Dance classes are an easy way to meet someone & gain more friends & is one of the few hobbies that couples or friends can do together.

- Partner Dancing is a great social asset & promotes confidence

- Salsa & Latin dancing develops co-ordination of mind, muscle & balance & Salsa is a Fun way to exercise your body that fits into a lifestyle, You will lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.

- You'll have Fun & you will have a lower chance of being depressed or other emotional problems.

- Go anywhere in the world and Salsa & Latin dance with anyone & meet people fast ....read more here >

​

Class Prices?

Free 1st class on the start date of new beginner courses then you can pay casually or pay for a whole beginner course with our beginner concession cards, or we have concession cards that can be used for any class ... see pricing here >

​

Do I need a mask?

Not needed and we discourage them during exercise of any kind. We have taken this stance since the beginning.

​