Why I Enjoy Salsa Dancing More Than Any Other Exercise
There are soooo many ways to stay fit like:
- Going to the gym , swimming, running (and I do all of these)
- Following a home workout on a screen
But for me, nothing compares to salsa. Not just because it’s exercise but because it’s so much more than that.
It’s a partner Dance
Salsa isn’t something you do alone. It’s a partnership, a togetherness. From the very first basic step, you’re connected to another person. You’re listening, responding, communicating, not with words, but with movement. There’s something powerful about that, language is not an issue and you’re not staring at a mirror or counting reps, in fact you’re sharing a feeling, energy.
Each dance is a conversation. You learn to lead or and follow. You learn to adapt, and when a move flows well together, then the magic happens “Yes! We did that.”
Once you step into our Salsa classes, you feel part of something very special, an amazing community. OnSalsa classes in Summertown, Oxford are very inclusive.
It’s Friendship
One of the biggest reasons I love salsa is the friendships that grow from it. You might arrive at class knowing no-one. But within minutes, you’re rotating partners, laughing at mistakes, enjoying dancing. Week after week, those familiar faces become friends. Throughout my 26 years of salsa dancing in Oxford and further afield, I have met the most amazing people, my husband Giles, my besties, and you all make my world (YES you do!).
I absolutely love seeing you, week in week out:
- Improving
- Supporting each other
- Encouraging each other
It’s not just a class! Your OnSalsa class becomes your weekly catch-up, your midweek boost, your reason to get out of the house even when you feel tired.
This kind of connection is rare, and one of a kind, in most forms of exercise
It’s Fun
Let’s be honest, exercise can feel like a chore, especially when you’re tired, can’t get to shift those extra pounds, when “you can’t be bothered to go to your session”.
Salsa never does, at least for me!
The music lifts me instantly. The rhythm makes me wiggle. Even when I’ve had a long day, something magical happens when the music starts, I smile and start dancing to this incredible music.
I never watch the clock in a salsa class and I never count down the minute because I enjoy is so much and I hope you do too.
It’s Exercise (without feeling like it)
Of course, salsa is still a workout and it is great for our mental health
- You’re moving constantly (because I never let you stop in class 😉
- You’re working your legs, core, arms (and that’s brilliant for our wellbeing)
- You’re improving coordination, balance, and stamina each week
- You get your heart rate up (wear your FitBit and you’ll see all these steps accumulating)
But because you’re focused on the music and your partner, it never feels like “exercise.” It’s so much fun and that makes all the difference.
It’s a Community | Your Community
More than anything, salsa is a community and that is why I am so PROUD of OnSalsa. We have an excellent team who supports us and believe in our ethos that Salsa should be fun, friendly and inclusive – So THANK YOU OnSalsa Crew.
It’s people from different ages, backgrounds, and professions coming together for one shared reason: to dance. There’s no competition, there’s no ego, just encouragement and fun.
You see the same faces at classes, at socials, at events. You celebrate birthdays together (thank you all for last week 😉 . You cheer for performances. You welcome new dancers. You grow together.
It becomes more than a hobby. For some of us, it becomes part of our life, it is our life.
That’s why I enjoy salsa dancing more than any other exercise because not only it feeds my body but also fills my heart with happiness.
And once you experience that feeling on the dance floor, it’s very hard to find it anywhere else. 💃🕺
Rosa | OnSalsa | Summertown Salsa
