SPOTLIGHT / DANCE
From highland to hip-hop, what’s your style?
We’ve rounded up 20 of the most popular dance styles from around the world
1. Ballet 2. Tap
3. Salsa 4. Belly
Dancing really is a great way to keep active, burn off calories, make new friends and have fun
offering a wider, more fl exible choice enables dance schools to cater for a much wider audience, something
vital when it comes to leisure pursuits in
a world in which many of us are strapped for time. “Dancing – and specifi cally ballroom dancing – used to be viewed as a rather sedate pastime enjoyed by the elderly,” says Judy. “Today, our beginners’ evening class in ballroom attracts people from their 20s to 70s but we also offer daytime classes for the retired or those with more time on their hands.
“Some of these classes have been running for more than 20 years and we can get as many as 80 attending. If being fi t and active is the great key to enjoying later life
then we see plenty of examples of it here every week.”
What, I wonder, do those new to dance
whom roll-up to one of Judy’s classes most enjoy? “Beginners generally like the cha cha in the Latin and the waltz in the ballroom. Once more experienced they tend to gravitate towards the slow foxtrot, rumba and Viennese waltz. We concentrate on social dancing here. Although several of our teachers are competition winners, you don’t have to get involved in that side of things if it’s not for you.”
The other catalyst for the increased success of dance has been the fi tness element and, with a population we’re repeatedly told is an obesity time bomb waiting to explode this is, for those who don’t like the idea of gyms, a rather excellent way to keep active and shed a few pounds.
Amy Nicholls runs FitSteps in Sevenoaks
5. Hip-hop 6. Line
7. Break
8. Ballroom 9. Disco
10. Zumba 11. Jazz
12. Paso Doble 13. Irish
14. Modern 15. Cha Cha
16. Argentine tango 17. Highland 18. Lyrical 19. Swing 20. Waltz
and Tonbridge – a dance-based exercise class inspired by ballroom and Latin and created by Strictly Come Dancing professionals Natalie Low and Ian Waite and former contestant, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.
“I think most of us know fi tness is something which, as a nation, we need to focus on. But it doesn’t have to be boring and nor does it have to involve expensive gym memberships,” says Amy, who has been dancing from a young age and now teaches a variety of styles suited to all levels and interests.
A FitSteps class, which is typically 45 or 55 minutes, consists of a variety of dances, including the cha cha, waltz and American Smooth and, with basic steps specifi ed for beginners, is designed so that anyone can have a go.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or in your 70s everyone can join in and it’s great seeing
PASSION & PERFORMANCE Cascade runs a range of dance classes for early years, primary, young people and adults of all levels in West Kent. Specialists in contemporary dance, Cascade also offers ballet, street and urban styles, which build stamina, confi dence, technique and coordination. The company believes dance should be accessible for everyone, offering activities in a friendly and
creative environment. • For more information, visit
www.cascadedance.co.uk
INSPIRING A LOVE OF DANCE 360 Dance offers something for all ages – from our tiniest dancers at 18 months to our adult ballet classes. Our pupils have had much success, performing in the West End, dancing at the Royal Opera House and being accepted into the Royal Ballet School. We hold RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern examinations and are proud of our 100% pass rate. We aim to inspire a love of dance to all of our students.
• For more information, visit
www.360dance.co.uk
The INDEX magazine
www.indexmagazine.co.uk
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