OUR HISTORY

Dancing Off Those Calories
How many calories will you burn while dancing Cuban Salsa? That depends on the type of dancing. Here's a range of some of the most popular varieties, based on a 150-pound person, per hour:

* Swing dancing: 235 calories/hour
* Ballroom dancing: 265
* Square dancing: 280
* Ballet: 300
* Belly dancing: 380
* Salsa dancing: 420+
* Aerobic dancing: 540+ 

By now, the  Cuban Salsa craze seems to have hit every city, with clubs and dance studios popping everywhere. Popular 
television shows such as 
So You Think You Can Dance and Dance With the Stars have sparked interest in an entirely new audience that,
otherwise, would never have taken
any kind of partner dance class. It just proves that we all have a dancer within waiting to come out.
 "What if I have absolutely zero dance experience?" you may be asking. Then Salsa is perfect for you. People of all
ages and backgrounds, male and female, are taking classes to learn to dance Salsa. And mastering Salsa dance steps is not as difficult as you may think. The important thing to remember when dancing Salsa is that it's not just steps, it is a feeling. The word “Salsa,” the Spanish
word for sauce, was originally used to convey the hot and spicy “feelings” behind the movements. Nowadays, 
the word “Salsa” is recognized and widely accepted as the actual form of dance.

People learn to dance for many different reasons. Some take dance classes with serious intentions of mastering the art form. Others take dance classes to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Still, others may join a class for fun or as a way to connect with others. Whatever your 
reason for learning to dance, you will be glad you did.
Below are just a few of the ways Salsa dancing can improve your life:
Let’s be honest. Salsa dancing considerably opens up your pool of potential dating candidates. And you get to be up-close-and-personal in the process of getting to know others.
Did someone say gym? I didn’t think so. Because that is the last thing you will need if you get serious about
Salsa dancing. Your legs, arms, shoulders, hips, stomach and ankles are being exercised all at once for complete bodywork.
Forget dating. Salsa is simply a great way to meet new friends, network and socialize.

Sociality;

Salsa dancing is an extremely social activity and an amazing way to meet people.  The salsa scene in most cities
are relatively small, so ultimately you will probably get to know a group of people very well.  Salsa dancing is
a partner dance, so that alone forces you to become a social being.  In my experience, most salsa dancers are very warm and friendly and open to newcomers.  They simply want to have a really good time and would really enjoy dancing with someone new.  This is one of the easiest things you can do to meet a bunch of new really
nice people.

Discipline:

To become adequate at salsa dancing, you must develop a lot of discipline.  You need to be focused and willing to
practice consistently over the period of a 2-3 months before you can dance well.  This is a great activity to help you develop discipline.

Exercise:

You are constantly moving while salsa dancing and using just about every muscle in your body.  Because you are having so much fun dancing, you don't realize that you are actually getting a pretty good workout in.  Salsa dancing is a great way to reduce stress and increase your energy and strength.  Studies show that salsa dancing provides many health benefits for your heart, as, it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels and can reduce your heart rate over time.

Rhythm and Coordination:

In order to do well at salsa dancing, you need to learn to develop good rhythm and coordination.  Without these two things, you will not be successful at this dance.  With a good teacher and continued practice, you can learn to develop these skills and then use them going forward in all phases of your life.

Mental Benefits:

Salsa dancing can provide many mental benefits as well.  After improving at salsa dancing, you will slowly develop confidence and self-esteem that will be with you on and off the dance floor.  Becoming a great Salsa dancer is not an easy task, so to finally become an experienced dancer can be a very fulfilling experience.  The social nature of Cuban salsa dancing can also decrease stress and eliminate depression.  Cuban Salsa dancing is also a great mental workout as you will need to have certain moves memorized and you will need to think on your feet.

Feeling down? Attending a Salsa class or going out dancing can pick you up and shake you out of a habitual routine. Get ready to feel alive! 
Bored? Want to challenge yourself? Salsa dancing is a great way to learn a new skill, either alone or with a loved one in Cambridge.

The Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to:
*Reduce stress
*Increase energy
*Improve strength
*Increase coordination
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that dancing can:
*Lower your risk of coronary heart disease.
*Decrease blood pressure
*Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips.
Helps you release toxins via sweating.
A 21-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly. The study showed that dancing may be a triple benefit for the brain. Not only does the physical aspect of dancing increase blood flow to the brain, but also the social aspect of the activity leads to less stress, depression and loneliness. Further, dancing requires memorizing 
steps and working with a partner, both of which provide mental challenges that are crucial for brain health.