Salsa Classes

Bank Holiday Closures

MAY 27th 2019 - Bank Holiday (Building Closed)
AUGUST 26th 2019 - Bank Holiday (Building Closed)
*Please note: If you have a package that is affected by these closures your package will be extended*

Salsa Dance Classes

In the heart of London
Experienced Instructors for each lesson
Cross Body Style
FREE Social dancing after the lessons
Spacious Dance Floor with capacity of 100 people
Great music & friendly atmosphere
You can mix & match.
(Mondays & Wednesdays)
All levels are welcome: We offer 6 levels.
You do not need a partner.
You can start at anytime.
Have fun!

Monday Salsa

19:00 - 22:00

18:30-19:00 - Free Taster Class
19:00-20:00 - Beginners 1, Improvers 1 and Intermediate
20:00-21:00 - Beginners 2, Improvers 2 and Advanced
21:00-22:00 - Social Dancing & Club

1 Sheffield Street

1st Floor Cafe
Saw Swee Hock Centre
London, WC2A 2AP

Wednesday Salsa

19:00 - 22:00

18:30-19:00 - Free Taster Class
19:00-20:00 - Beginners 1, Improvers 1 and Intermediate
20:00-21:00 - Beginners 2, Improvers 2 and Advanced
21:00-22:00 - Social Dancing & Club

1 Sheffield Street

1st Floor Cafe
Saw Swee Hock Centre
London, WC2A 2AP

Salsa: Cross Body Style

At Salsa Tropical we teach Cross Body Style. Cross Body is danced on linear movements, i.e. dance in a line. The most important part of Cross Body is what is referred to as the “cross-body lead”, with the participants dancing face-to-face with each other. At a point, the male dancer (the lead) will turn first and the female dancer turn later after she has passed the male dancer, hence the “cross-body lead” name.

Cross Body, has two sub categories – L.A. style and N.Y./Mambo style. They may also be called On1 and On2 respectively. It’s called On1 or On2 because with L.A. style, you accentuate, or make more visible the 1^st (and 5^th) beat, and danced quick-quick-slow, quick-quick-slow. L.A. style is a lot more flamboyant and extravagance dance that represents the flash and glamour of Los Angeles. N.Y./Mambo differs in that the form is danced to the conga drums, and you accentuate the 2^nd (and 6^th) beat. This is why N.Y./Mambo is also called On2. The sound made by the beats of the conga drums in N.Y./Mambo creates the illusion for the dancers that they have more time, and a consistent flow. On2 also creates the similar feeling you would get if you danced an earlier form of Salsa, Cuban Son which, by the way, is still a popular form of dance in Cuba.

Salsa Class Levels and Structure

Level 1 – Absolute Beginners: 7-8pm

From 0-4 lessons/hours experience

This Level is geared for students who are learning the basic step, rhythm, and timing. You get an introduction to Salsa steps and simple partner-work. It’s a lot of FUN!

Level 2 – Beginners: 8-9pmFrom 4-12 lessons/hours experience

This Level is geared for students who have already learned the basic steps as an absolute beginner student. This is a continuation from the absolute beginners level. The focus is mainly on partner work

Level 3 – Improvers 1: 7-8pmFrom 12-16 lessons/hours experience
 

You should have completed at least 12-16 hours to attend this Level.The series focuses on the fundamentals of salsa: basics, patterns, footwork, turns and technique, which includes proper posture, balance, and upper/lower body coordination. This lays the groundwork for a solid foundation in salsa. We will focus mainly on fundamentals of partner work. All advanced moves are an extension of the basic. If a student lacks fundamentals he will just learn more and more combinations technically incorrectly and will not progress as a dancer. Therefore, this is the most important class for anyone wishing to learn Salsa. Mastery of the basics will give you the skills and confidence needed to develop into a good dancer. Believe me; it will change your life.

Level 4 – Improvers 2: 8-9pmFrom 16 lessons – 8 months experience
 
This level focuses on more complex partner work techniques. It prepares you for the Intermediate level

Level 5 – Intermediate: 7-8pm
From 8 months- one year experience
We advise this level after 6-8 months of classes of 1 hour per week at least. This is geared towards students with a solid, comprehensive foundation in the basics (balance, posture, upper/lower body coordination, weight transfer, cross-body lead). You will learn lead-follow techniques, transitions and space management to moderate music. If you already have a solid understanding of the basic then you are ready for this class. We will teach you skills necessary to apply on Intermediate and Advanced level class such as essential skills and drills.

Level 6 – Advanced: 8-9pm
From one year dancing onwards
This quality training programme is for students with a well developed foundation in Salsa who are willing to learn more complex patterns and techniques and emphasis on styling for Ladies and Gents. If you are ready to take the next step, this Level is for you.