Dancexercise: Shimmy to Salsa

The Salsa dancing fad is fast catching up in Dubai. But now Chris Dissanayake, a professional Sri Lankan salsa dancer of Portuguese origin, is trying to make the Latin dance form even more popular here by adding a dash of fun and pizazz to the otherwise routine sessions.

Walk into his studio at the Dubai World Centre Apartments and you'll find an eclectic mix of nationalities and age groups swaying to the pulsating beats of Latin music and learning to stay fit in a fantastic and sociable way.

Eclectic mix

"Salsa is multi-cultural. Sometimes I have more than 20 different nationalities in a group," said Chris, 35, co-founder of Familia de la Salsa.

"When people attend a session in my dance classes, they sweat it out like hell."

Chris said he's gratified to hear that salsa dancing is affecting people in positive ways.

"Some of them tell me that they have lost eight to nine kilos in just a couple of months. Many fitness enthusiasts turn to salsa as it gives them a complete body workout. I have been doing salsa for over six years and have never felt the need for going to a gym to stay in shape."

A typical class at Familia de la Salsa begins with some stretching exercises to loosen the body. This is followed by a warm-up salsa song. Each class ends with a meringue song.

Beginners learn the basic steps without partners before graduating to the next level where they practise with a partner. A children's class is available for seven-year-olds and up.

Chris recommends people attend classes twice a week so that they can hone their skills before going out and trying the steps in clubs.

Health benefits

A slew of health benefits are associated with salsa. Not only is it a fun way to stay fit, it's also excellent for the mind and soul.

Dancing salsa helps to reduce stress, increase energy levels, muscle tone and improve coordination. It helps manage weight and is also a very good way to socialise.

Psychiatrists view salsa as a great stress-buster and reckon it is perfect for those suffering from depression.

Therapeutic value

In India's capital Delhi for instance, psychiatrists are prescribing salsa to tackle a range of situations ranging from the economic downturn to terror.

"This is a new dimension to dancing. It's equivalent to a high-impact workout. People make a new social group away from their routine life and that gives them a different perspective on various issues," Lucky Matlani from Delhi's Ballatino Dance Academy was quoted as saying in a report.

Salsa facts

• Salsa – named after a Spanish sauce – refers to a fusion of informal dance styles with its roots in the Caribbean.
• Familia De La Salsa classes:
• When: Saturday and Tuesday from 8-9pm (beginners); 9.15pm-10.15pm (intermediate and advanced)
• Where: The Club, Dubai World Trade Centre Apartments
• Cost: Dh35 per class or Dh350 for a 10-class package
• Contact: www.familiadelasalsa.com