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Is Salsa Dance better than the Gym?

Culture

Emerson Diprose
salsa latina photo
Salsa Latina has worked for months to get to the South Island Latin Competition  Salsa Latina

How Latin Dance is making a comeback in Christchurch

From the costumes to the heels, Latin dance has always been glamorous. But how does the perfect routine come together?

At Salsa Latina they combine culture, community and fun to create something they are proud of.

One of the Salsa instructors, Bridget Trevena, says the best part is watching how people progress.

“I really love watching students be happy, like there's some people that walk in the door and you're like ‘you’ve had a hard day’, then they walk out and they are beaming with energy… we do a lot of things outside of the studio as well, and so bringing everyone together as a massive family is hugely important.”

But how does this bring people in over the gym? Bridget explained how the gym allows you to turn your brain off, but dance makes you use a different part of the brain instead.

“You’re having fun while exercising, who doesn’t love that? Coordination is a huge part of dance, and I think when you step into the studio, there’s nothing else you can think about but left foot right foot, you know, 123,567. I think switching off and being able to be authentic within yourself, because no one else is looking at you but yourself and I think it’s also a good ‘me time’”

Latin dance isn’t just in the studio, between social dancing and competitions, these students are always dancing.

In September Salsa Latina attended the South Island Latin Competition, where they won multiple events such as the Latin couples team for Bachata and salsa teams for Mambo.

“When you get to that level, you’re almost like an athlete. We have this saying ‘you get into your competition body’ and we could be spending 10 hours in the studio a week, so it’s massive.”

Bridget and others from Salsa Latina are heading to Brisbane this year to compete in the Brisbane Salsa Dance Competition. 

Bridget has been dancing for years.

“My flatmate at the time dragged me along to a free salsa class here at Salsa Latina, and I’ve just been kind of hooked… You always feel welcomed coming into a class. Reuben is our director and he's a fantastic teacher. Super, really bad dad jokes but we all love them and we are like this kind of family. When you walk in the door everyone is really lovely.”

Bridget had one message for anyone thinking of trying out Salsa for the first time.

“What have you got to lose?”