The difference is you get two extra hours to learn two other Latin dances. 🙂

The reality is when you go to a Salsa nightclub, it’s not just going to be Salsa music. They often play also Merengue. Merengue is a two-beat dance. So it’s a one, two, one two. It’s very energetic and very loud. It’s the first thing we teach in Salsa Nightclub Level 1 to build up your confidence.

Then the 2nd hour we teach you Bachata. Bachata is known to be the sexy, connected type of dance one, consisting of four beats that we count to 8. So it’s kind of like one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

The rest of the Nightclub semester, usually six to seven hours, is Salsa. That’s the loud, energetic, fun and sexy one. You can’t go wrong with either course. If you do Salsa Nightclub Level 1, you’re going to learn two extra dances. If you do Salsa Level One, we focus strictly on Salsa.

If you have the time and you have the availability, definitely do the Nightclub Level 1. If your time is tight or maybe the course already started, then sign up for Salsa Level 1, because ultimately, gang, it’s all about just moving.

If there is a question, dancing or school-related, you want me to answer, please leave it in the comments below. And if you want to take classes with us, click REGISTER NOW

Welcome to the family 🙂

The post What’s the difference between Salsa Nightclub Level 1 and Salsa level 1? appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

Yes, you will learn and grow into an inspired, skilled salsa dancer — but you’ll do so while laughing and making friends along the way.

That’s why as you prepare for your first salsa lesson at Toronto Dance Salsa, you can look forward to an immersive, fun and creative experience. To sum up: prepping for our Toronto salsa class is EASY!

Get ready for fun in our friendly dance community: all the essentials you’ll need.

Here’s what to bring to salsa class at Toronto Dance Salsa: 

Really, you only need one thing: bring an open mindset. That’s it. Really! At TDS, a salsa dancing class isn’t about mastering the technical skills — it’s about having fun! That is key and much more important than getting the steps immediately or “exactly right.”

In salsa, as we teach it at our studio, you can express yourself in your unique way. There is no set-in-stone right or wrong. Because that wouldn’t only be boring, but it places to much pressure on students.

And if you’re worried about whether you need to find and bring a partner with you, you don’t even need a partner for salsa lessons at TDS!

You see? You’re already ready! Wasn’t that easy?

All about salsa dance class attire.

Ok. By now, you must be thinking, “Let’s get real. What do I wear for my first salsa dance lesson?” Our answer — wear what feels good! It is that simple.

Clothing: Your comfort is key. Dress for keeping cool and easy movement. Dress in something that makes you feel relaxed. (Even a bathrobe, if that does it for you!) If you want to express your style as well, think about what you’d wear to the corner coffee shop. This could be a comfy t-shirt and shorts, jeans and a top, a comfortable dress — or anything in between.

Shoes: For salsa levels one and two at TDS, you won’t need special shoes. Wear shoes with smooth soles. Be sure your heel is held in place firmly in your shoe, so you can step securely and confidently. Choose a shoe that feels comfortable. You’re also free to express yourself with your salsa shoe style, but no worries; you’ll be amazing in even the plainest shoe!

Serious dance shoes: Once you get further into your salsa lessons, you can get more creative because you will have practical experience with what feels best to you. For best performance, choose a shoe with a suede sole. These are not street shoes, so you’ll need to bring them and change when you reach the studio. Heels should be under two inches. You can also get feedback from classmates and instructors, or check out what others are wearing at our salsa dance parties and socials.

Salsa dance success tips for an amazing experience at TDS.

Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for your salsa lesson. Give yourself time to deal with any traffic or TTC delays (we’re located right at North York Station), so you can easily get started without nerves. Introduce yourself to the attendance person. We’ll help you feel right at home!

You’ll next meet our instructor and assistant instructor, plus our volunteer helpers. The helpers are students just like you, but with a bit more experience. Let them share their advice, support and confidence (and their love of learning dance) with you!

As your first salsa class starts, you’ll follow our instructor in a few moves facing the mirror. We learn through repetition, humour, and actually dancing! Soon, we’ll partner you up. Throughout the class, you’ll rotate, dancing with every other partner during the lesson. Any nerves you felt at the beginning dissolve into laughter. New friendships start up quickly in our classes.

Learn how to salsa at your own pace.

Aleks, the lead instructor at Toronto Dance Salsa, has created our studio to make sure you feel comfortable. Rather than run-of-the-mill dance lessons, TDS brings together a group of passionate people for a creative, expressive and overall fun experience. And all too soon, you’ll look forward to joining us every week! Here’s why:

At TDS, you learn salsa and join a vibrant community of creative, energetic friends here in Toronto. Together with our welcoming instructors, you will grow your dance skills, almost without realizing it has happened. All the while, you’re immersed in a fun experience, enjoying the culture and creativity of dance — with a group where you always #belong.

Get started at Toronto Dance Salsa today! Sign up for class here!

Get more information by writing to info@torontodancesalsa.ca.

Drop by to meet us with your questions! Come to our weekly Open House at our Empress Walk studio, on Tuesdays, between 5:30 pm and 6 pm.

The post How to prep for your first salsa dancing class. appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

Most of all, learning salsa dancing is about connecting with a group of people who are just like you — people who are beginners, who love learning new things, who want a fun way to stay fit; all in a nonjudgmental atmosphere where the goal is to have a blast.

So if that sounds like you, you just need to decide what’s the right way to learn salsa based on your needs:

Private lessons

When you take private salsa lessons, you — or you and your partner — work with your own private salsa instructor. You’ll speed up your progress and get in extra practice. The advantages of private lessons are that you get more individual attention and more options for scheduling lessons. The disadvantages are that you don’t have the same party atmosphere and the opportunity to make new friends that you would get in a group class. Even if you only take private lessons, though, you can still meet people in the salsa community at Toronto Dance Studios salsa and bachata parties, where dancers of all levels are welcome.

Group lessons

Group lessons are a blast! When you dance in a group, you feel like you are at a party or a club. You have a sense of sharing the fun with everyone else in the room. At Toronto Dance Salsa, our instructors break down the steps and make it easy for everyone to follow. You won’t get as much one-on-one time as in private lessons, but our instructors and helpers will come around to provide individual assistance during our group lessons.

People in group classes bond over the shared experience of gaining confidence by learning a new skill. Many people make new friends in their group salsa classes. It’s easy when you have so much in common and when everyone feels so welcome and accepted.

Combination of private and group lessons

Get the best of both worlds by taking private and group salsa lessons. You will learn the steps in your group lessons and then have a chance to practice and refine them in your private lessons. You can even use your private lessons to speed up your progress enough to skip to the next level in your group lessons.

Alternate methods

If you want to learn salsa on your own, you can try books, videos and Skype tutors.

The advantages of books and videos are that you can review them as often as you want, practice at your own pace and fit them into free moments in your schedule. Also, they are inexpensive or free. Books have the disadvantage of not being able to show you the steps in motion. YouTube videos and DVDs do show you the flow of the moves, but without a live instructor, there is no one to see where you need extra help. Both, however, can be excellent supplements to live private or group lessons.

Skype tutors offer some of the advantages of a live instructor. But you don’t get to dance with your instructor the way you would in a private lesson, and you don’t get the party atmosphere of group lessons.

Find the place where you #belong

When you take private or group salsa lessons, you join an amazing community of people who love the same things you do. It’s a wonderful feeling to be in a group of people who are all moving to the same beat, all loving the same music, and all gaining the confidence that comes with learning something new in an atmosphere where nobody judges and everyone is having fun.

The salsa community is warm and welcoming. We would love for you to join us and discover just how good salsa can make you feel.

The post What’s the best way to learn salsa dancing? Private lessons vs. group lessons. appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

So for those of us who want to live a healthier life but we struggle to hit our health goals – what tends to hold us back and throw us off of our health journey is simply, a lack of consistency.

Because there are times you are motivated to make things happen, to cut those extra pounds, to reduce the stress in your life, or to be proud of the way you look, and we’re really into it…until we’re not.  Somewhere along the way, the motivation fades, willpower is gone, and we return to old patterns. Why? Well, mostly because we’re building health routines and practices that we simply don’t enjoy. We don’t like them.  They’re not fun.

So the question becomes, how can you move more and focus on living a healthier life, while also having a ton of fun?

We know that great health is about more than just doing some cardio or lifting weights. Great health is also about positively engaging your brain and emotions – while you move – for a well-rounded and balanced life.  Salsa dancing not only helps you move and stay healthy on every level, but it also gives you the connection to others, the sense of community, and the feeling that you belong that frankly, your average gym just won’t give you. 

With the right environment and mindset, salsa dancing helps you get total health: body, mind, and soul!

Here are just three of the many health benefits that come out of joining salsa dance classes.

1. Salsa dancing gets you moving while having fun

Let’s face it: many of us want to lose a little extra weight, which makes the gym the seemingly natural choice to burn those extra calories. But salsa dancing lessons give you the chance to supplement or replace your standard workout with something more engaging, exciting, and fun. 

At Toronto Dance Salsa, our salsa dance classes are designed to get you moving, laughing, and growing from day one.  Yes, dancing will help increase your circulation and improve your stamina – but more than that it will become something that you look forward to each and every week.  We often have students come in and use our classes as a starting point they need to lose weight, to build their confidence, and to make new friends; we regularly hear people say that this is the best hour of their week.

2. Immerses you in a positive mind-body-mood exercise 
Take one look at the joy on the faces of our students in our salsa dance classes, and you will see a spark and glow that’s missing from the faces of typical gym members.

Our salsa classes engage your mind, your body, and your spirit as you learn the steps and overall movements of this beautiful Latin dance style. Learning salsa steps while being a part of our upbeat community allows you and your classmates to let your guard down, to put yourself out there, and to celebrate who you are – while moving to the beat of some Latin tunes.

3. Salsa dancing targets your core

Just because you aren’t lifting weights or performing circuits doesn’t mean you aren’t targeting your major muscle groups. Our instructors are mindful of our students’ total health, so we love seeing the developments and breakthroughs that come as students develop their lower body and core – what once was hard becomes easier – and over the course of a single trimester we see students use their newfound sense of confidence and strength to grow in other areas of their lives: their diet, romantic life, and career.

Salsa dance classes won’t replace the gym, they both have their place. 

If you’re serious about going to the gym and it’s a regular thing for you – our classes are not going to replace your workouts.  But for those of us who are not working out regularly – for whatever reason – picking up a new skill and a hobby that gets you out, connects you with great people, and gets you moving is a win, win, win.

Because at the end of the day total health is about taking a break from the everyday stresses of life, getting your heart pumping, making new friends, romantic or otherwise, laughing, smiling, and walking out of our studio after an hour of fun thinking, “I feel great!”

Want to learn more about our Salsa Dance Classes and try something new? We have a Salsa Level One class starting soon! https://torontodancesalsa.ca/salsa-1/

The post The gym is great, but it’s got nothing on the excitement of salsa dancing. appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

“How one presents him or her self to the world. Swagger is shown from how the person handles a situation. It can also be shown in the person’s walk.”

In salsa, a person’s swagger is a mixture of how they move, their personality and how they make their partners feel. While this may sound silly to you, it’s something that resonates on the dance floor. You’ve seen those people out there…the sexy ones, the ones that always have their partners laughing, the romantic ones, the crazy dippers, the ‘getting-all-my-cardio-for-the-week’ ones, the dark and mysterious ones…

Now here’s the best part: you can have any dance floor swagger that you want.

While some people develope it naturally as they progress, you can learn how to fake it till you make it. The best way to start is to watch dancers who personify the type of personlity that you’d like to incorporate. Watch how they move, their style and think about what you can do to interpret it.

In Tango and Bachata, we talk about the dance term, ‘Intention’. By moving your frame and a certain level of condfidence your lead will be easier to interpret. I’m always saying in class that in order to develope intention, I dance as if I were Batman. He’s confident, strong and has a bold movement style. In reality, I’m Tony, a somewhat soft-spoken guy with a fondness for hats, but on the dance floor, I am a armour plated superhero who’s ready to save damsels in destress from bad dances! By being ‘Batman’, I feel less shy about doing sexy moves or pulling off a dip in true superhero-fashion.

You don’t have to be Batman, you can be James Bond, or Madonna, or Lady Gaga, or Jim Carey, or Don Juan… anyone you want and whenever you want. My buddy will be leading the more romantic bachata one-minute to having the funniest cha-cha the next.

Learning Swagger
I remember learning how to make my combs more ‘romantic’ by watching a few different ‘romantically swaggerific’ dancers do theirs. I even asked one of them for advice on how they interpret their combs. Then I went on to watch youtube videos of other dancers and have created a comb that I feel that matches my personality.

You may be thinking, ‘How do you make a comb look romantic?’. Being a swimmer, I started to pretend that I’m doing a comb underwater, so that I ease out my combing speed at the end. I also turn my hands like how gentlemen used to ask ladies to dance (from classic movies). Yes, it does sound super silly, but wow, the girls love it when I treat something as simple as a hair comb with such care.

Another great way to start thinking about adding some style to your dancing is by taking a styling class. TDS offers both STUDS and DIVAS classes that focus on adding styling, attitude and fun to your dancing. Over the years I’ve spent much time taking styling classes as well as emulating my favourite dancers to create a dance swag that’s truly my own.

So get out there, watch those dancers that you admire and figure out what it is about them that you’d like to help shape your swag. Usually it’s the little things, watch how they lead turns, how they step during a cross-body and even how they spin.

Just a word of advice, try to not let your swagger get in the way of you enjoying your dancing! It’s just a tool in your arsenal to help you have a little more expression. Also beware of the dark side, as people usually don’t like people who have creepy, arrogant or mean styles of swagger.

Till then,
Stay Shining Salseros!

The post Dance Swagger appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

I remember how I felt about my first time, but seriously, once you try it, you’ll love it and never want to go back! Performing can seem so scary, but there are so many pros that you should really just sign up…

Performing will make you a better dancer
I will guarantee that being on a team will help so many aspects to your dancing. Unlock your inner salsa diva by working on your styling, body movement and having some sexy salsa spicy attitude. I remember my first performance team partner, who could barely do a coca-cola when we began, went on to win the TDS competition only a few months later.

Performing is really, really fun
While being in front of a crowd dancing can seem really, really scary… it’s actually not that bad when you have a solid team dancing with you. Not only that, your dance partners are just awesome as they’re going through the same thing that you are. I can only say great things about my two performance teams as both groups just made it all super fun.

Nothing beats having a salsa wing-girl
Quick, name three other girls from your salsa classes… what? you can’t? Oh yeah, it’s because ladies usually don’t meet the other girls from their classes. What’s so great about dancing with another girl is that a) you will make a really awesome new salsa lady-friend as well as b) become a way better follower because you need to dance with your lead and sync up with another girl!

One of the most common comments I hear from lady-helpers is that they really enjoy getting to know the other girls. Not only will you be a sassy lady social butterfly, but you’ll have the best lady entourage group in all of Acrobat!

Hair Done, Nails Done, Everything Big!
Another great aspect to performing is justifying getting all dolled up to perform! You can totally justify getting that new dress, getting your hair did and put on some body glitter guilt-free! Trust me, the Salsa guys will be lining up to dance with you once they see you all done up.

Threesomes are just awesome
No, seriously… it’s going to be pure shenanigans and a performance that people will be talking about for a long time! From taking your dancing to the next level, to bonding with great people and getting all dressed up; the salsa performance team is just for you! There are only a handful of spots for the ladies left, so take a deep breathe, you know you can do it… and you won’t feel guilty for doing it!!!

Till then,
Stay Shining Salseras!

The post Sexy Salsa Ladies Needed for a Threesome! appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

Get Out There:
The best way to learn is by doing and while class time is great, you really need to social dance to get better. For level 1-2’s, I’d suggest going to the TDS Sunday Socials as they are so casual and that the majority of people on Sundays are beginners. You can also get to see some of the more advanced dancers, which is always great as if you only do a couple of dances, you’ll get really inspired.

Outing Classes:
Whether it’s a TDS social or Plaza, I highly recommend doing the beginner class. One reason for this is that you can always ask someone who’s even less experienced than you are to do the lesson. You’ll look like a pro in their eyes and you’ll have a blast learning the basics and a few moves to add to your arsenal.

Dont’ Expect, Suggest:
I always tell both men and women to ask people to dance. When I first started, I always mentioned to my partners that I was new to salsa, but would love to dance with them. I found my Follows were very polite when dealing with my bad dance skills. I think most of us realize that within 3-6 months, those dancers who aren’t so great will become the next top stars, so being polite is key because you never know.

Dance Floor Etiquette:
As a lead, always take small steps and protect your partners. This means don’t guide them into other dancers and try to space yourselves out from other dancers. I’ve literally had people start dancing right in front of my partner and I, thus making it difficult to dance for everyone involved.

Another tip is to be polite at all times. Apologize if you bump into someone and be respectful if someone refuses a dance… you never know if they’re tired, dizzy or just not feeling well. I’ve seen some people take dance refusals really poorly and you’d be surprised about how that kind of thing will stick with you for ages.

Start Small, Aim for Smooth Transitions:
When I first started, my buddy Mike and I would say ‘Tonight, I’m aiming for 5 dances’. This helped give us a goal and be courageous enough to ask a few girls to dance. After you have X number of dances you can relax and soak up the ambiance.

The key to salsa isn’t about many moves, it’s all about transitions. So make sure that when you go from one move to the next, to be smooth in your body movements and confident in your hand/body guidance. I remember practicing on my own for 20-30 minutes a night just to smooth out my transitions.

Wingmen/Wingwomen:
One of the reasons I really stuck with dancing was due to my friend Mike. We met in level 1 and have been encouraging each other to go out to the clubs for years. Not only do you go out more often, but you learn quicker from friendly competition.

Know someone from class that you gel with? Ask them to start going to the clubs with you. You will see how quickly you’ll get better together because you’re used to dancing with each other. Before you know it, you’ll be tearing up the dance floors.

While there are countless other tips to follow, you’ll soon find that this strange and somewhat scary world of Salsa will become your happy place. Be polite and get out there as much as you can! Speaking of which, be sure to check TDS this Saturday for our annual Holiday Party! With 3 performances, beginner and intermediate lessons, you’ll have an amazing time!

Be warned though, our Holiday themed parties are usually packed so be sure to get there early! Last year’s Valentines’ Party had people lined up down the street! Get there early and be prepared for an amazing night!

I wish I could be there, but am in San Francisco, visiting my parents for the Holidays! Be sure to post video on Facebook and I’m looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

Till then,
Stay Shining Salseros!

The post A Beginner Salseros’ Guide to Social Dancing appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

The post A Leader’s Take on Following appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.