My name is Yee Gan and I'm a Strictly Come Dancing addict. My problem started with series 1 when the elegance, the sway, the music, the fun captured me. I've been a fan ever since and I even went to the Strictly Come Dancing roadshow at the O2 in February.
So I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to try dancing. I loved Matt & Flavia's salsa last year and when a friend suggested going to salsa, I jumped at the chance.
Salsateca runs classes and a club at Bourne Hall every Friday evening. The evening starts at 8pm and costs £8 if you come for the lesson and £3 if you only come for the club (which follows the lesson) which starts around 9.15-9.30 and carries on until 11pm.
There are dancers of all ages and abilities and you will never feel left out whatever standard you are. You're made to feel very welcome and the teachers really break things down well and clearly.
There is an initial warmup when you follow the teachers' steps as they lead on the stage. Then, you break up into 4 or 5 groups - it's up to you which group you join but you can ask your teacher if they think you're ready to go up a class. All the classes run in the same big room and throughout the lessons, there are frequent periods of music, which allow you to try the steps you've learnt to music. It's really sociable and you rotate partners so you get to practise with different people.
I've only done 3 weeks so far and I'm really learning and progressing with little tips like stepping off on the balls of your feet to help get the leg action going. From the first week though, I already felt I could do enough to enjoy salsa.
After about an hour, it's time for warmdown when you again try to follow the teachers who lead on the stage. Well, this time, they complicate things and it's a real laugh to try and keep up.
Then, the club starts and it's time to practise all you've learnt. What I like about the club atmosphere is that everyone seems to be prepared to dance with everyone else - the better dancers seem to be happy to dance with beginners, which gives us a chance to improve.
There's a bar, which is reasonably priced and there's a free chilled water machine upstairs in the main foyer
I keep practising just in case I ever become a celebrity and get invited onto the show!! 1 2 3 5 6 7 1 2 3 5 6 7
Addendum Feb 2012
I'm involved in the music ministry in church and have decided not to dance salsa any more as it's not appropriate for someone in my position in church. read more
