Salsa Dance Leeds

We went to the Salsa class at district this evening. I have to say that James the instructor was fairly good and tried to make things interesting and fun. However it may be at 40 we are far too old for this class. It seems more geared up for the 18 to 25 age group. The music although it probably runs on the salsa beat (if you can work it out) it is more like rapp than salsa. We went to the beginers class which James ran. The warm up was impossible and more like a an excersize or zumba class. As you may gather we could not join in with this as we were lost. So no warm up and so straight into the class without. During the class some members of the team who help were all sat together chatting away so that you couldn’t hear the instruction. After the class there is a ½ hour beginers social. Beginers??? Even some advanced members couldn’t keep up with the speed of the beat. As you may gather at this point we left. So our view is if your under 30 you may cope with this class. If your over 30 stay well clear and find another class.

I went thanks to the Passport Launch event at Distrikt.
Was made to be very fun and chilled out. Dancing was taught step by step but relaxed and jovial atmosphere and guidance.
There was a mis-​match of men to women ratio due to the Unilocal Passport Event but I was assured by regulars that it is usually a more even split. Even so it was fine cos some girls became men and had a good crack at being forceful and leading.
I will be going back and trying to drag a man with me to keep numbers even :)
Usually £5 which I can live with, same as going for a swim but a bit more social and fun way to keep fit. Laughing is good for your tum: P
On a side note the food at distrikt was very tasty and they accommodate the class well — we ordered dessert but the class started before it came, they very wisely held off until we had finished, yay.

I assume, for the most part when trying to move by body in a timely and aesthetically pleasing fashion, that I have «two left feet». I’m not saying I’m a terrible dancer, nor am I adverse to busting out some moves to the right tune, but it’s been quite some time since I last had actual dance lessons. I tried my hand at Lindy, and I can’t say it was really for me, so attempting salsa was certainly going to be interesting!
Well. With the fantastic opportunity to try it out at no cost, with the Passport event, I attended alongside some fellow brave Unilocalers. As Natalie mentions, given our extra presence (and the football *pah*), there was a rather large surplus of ladies –however, I’ve been down on a previous salsa evening, and there are indeed usually plentiful male members for ladies to dance with.
We started by learning the more simple steps, the mambo being the initial move, and if nothing else I certainly feel as though I had that down by the end! A few more basics later, and we were all ready to try out the moves with partners. Everyone assembles in a circle, and guys partner up with a girl, practice some moves and the switch partners –a lovely way to get to know everyone, and have a chance at dancing with folks of all skill level. It’s really friendly, welcoming, and since everyone’s in the same boat, there’s little room for embarrassment! Most of the guys (and girls dancing as guys) were very kind, complimenting my efforts!
James and his instructor partner (whose name I didn’t catch) were both absolutely lovely, welcoming, and made everyone feel at ease with plenty of banter. Of course, distrikt is a great setting for the class, with plenty of space to move, fabulous drinks to enjoy, and excellent staff! I’ve always been made to feel extremely welcome, which is wonderful.
I plan to attend the next available class (for my sins) and attempt to master the moves of salsa. Who knows, perhaps they’ll make a mover and shaker of me yet! Great source of exercise, great price (only £5 and £4 for students), great people, great venue and great instructors. Win!