| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The
beat, the feet! Viva! Viva!
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
PRIYADARSHINI
PAITANDY gets into the
groove
at a SALSA class and comes out ready to
dance the night away
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
I
always believed I was
a fairly good dancer. Or at least that is what most people tell me when
I am out clubbing. But 15 minutes into Lourd Vijay's salsa class and
I was left feeling I had two left feet. (Okay it was the first time
I was trying this out!)
The
class took off with a 10-minute warm up session comprising Shines.
Shines are the building blocks of any dance form and help enhance one's
dance style. We were taught the Mambo and the Shuffles. Mambo is when
you put your left foot out then bring it back
and, then the right foot moves back and then forward till both
feet are together. Shuffles are simpler. You move sideways — the left
foot moves out and then back in and then the right foot follows suit.
1..2..3..4..5..6..7..,
Vijay gives the counts and people in the class gracefully move their
feet and hips. After numerous counts of up, together, back, together...
up, together, back, together, just when I was beginning to keep pace
with thers, Vijay calls out "pair up". Uh-oh, trouble again.
|
I
pair up with Vijay. "Salsa is a
cardio-vascular activity. It works as a substitute for walking,
jogging or running," says Vijay. An hour of salsa can burn approximately
400 to 600 calories or more depending upon the intensity of the dance.
"Tighten your body, hamstring and abdomen as it increases the
degree of intensity," he adds.
I
clasp his fingers, place my hand over his shoulder and get into the
groove as he sways me around. I keep my gaze fixed on his shoes for
it helps me keep pace. "Look into your partner's eyes and smile,"
he instructs.
We
learnt the front break, side break
and the diagonal back rock.
It is not as complicated as it
sounds because Vijay simplifies each movement and runs through
it step by step. It was time to switch partners again.
In
the course of the class I changed partners thrice and my workout was
later divided between a guy who should be more sparing
in the use of perfume and
another who should be more generous with it. Suddenly
|
|
| |
MOVE
YOUR BODY At the salsa class photo:
k. pichumani
|
|
| |
I
lost focus, stamped my partner's foot and then bumped into the
couple next to me.
We
resume but this time with music instead of counts. More instructions
follow, "The guy leads the
girl," smiles Vijay as
|
one
of the girls does her movement
ahead of her partner. At the
end of the class I didn't do too badly and actually enjoyed myself.
Bottomline:
This hour long session leaves
you feeling ener-
|
gised
and vibrant. Don't blame yourself if you want to run to a night club
and dance the night away to show
off your salsa skills. Classes are on at Tal-walkers,
Anna Nagar. Call 26208706 for details.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|