Creative Aging: Move Your Hips to Latin Social Dance

Program description:

Latin Social Dances and Exercise provide tremendous physical and emotional benefits; increase musical appreciation; encourage social integration; evoke memories and promote a sense of identity and belonging to a worldwide community. Most forms of Latin dances are easy to learn and the process is enjoyable. They are perfect for the senior population as the benefits are manifold. Participants will learn the basic steps of the following Latin social dances: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha-Cha and Cumbia.  All classes will be taught in both English and Spanish, with an emphasis on Spanish vocabulary that pertains to the footwork and figures of each dance genre. 

Week by Week Syllabus:

Each 90 minutes class will start with 30 minutes seated warm up exercises and stretching which provides an opportunity for participants to prepare, enliven and energize their minds and bodies for the class. In addition, it also encourages participants of all physical abilities to engage in these simply exercises and stretches that are catered to their capabilities without feeling intimidated or discouraged. 

The second part of the program (35 minutes) participants will learn the basic steps and the musicality of each dance.  The fundamental footwork will include stepping forward, back and side-to-side, cross overs and turns. Research has also proven that these elemental movements improve balance and stability. After the dancing segment, participants are given a 10-minute break from the physical activity, while I introduce the history of the dance genre that will be taught for the week, either in the form of a lecture with a short video presentation. Each week there will also be 5 minutes allocated for participants to share their personal dance experiences and comments. The class will end as their started seating in a chair for the last 5 to 10 minutes stretches exercises and the opportunity to 10 minutes stretches exercises and the opportunity to say goodbye. 
 

Mondays 3:30-5 pm Zoom event.

Week 1, Salsa; Video: History of Salsa from Africa to New York, Part 1. The origins, Afrocubanismo. (8:17)

Week 2, Cha cha cha: Video History of the Salsa from Africa to New York, Part 2. Celia Cruz, Ismael Rivera (5:42)

Week 3, Mambo: Video History of the Salsa from Africa to New York, Part 3. Fania all-stars, NYC in 1970's (8:05)

Week 4, Merengue: Video History of Perico Ripiao (Merengue Típico) (10:20)

Week 5, Bachata: History of the Bachata / Music of the Americas (10:19)

Week 6, Cumbia: Video: Introduction to Colombia music (9:02)

Week 7, Salsa break on 2: Video 6 types of Salsa dancing (8:26)                                                                                                        

Week 8, Latin Rhythms Mix: Video Salsa legend Johnny Pacheco change music forever/ La salsa soy yo (10:57)                                                                                                                                        

Week 9, Culminating event Fiesta time!!!

Registration required. Zoom link will be sent at 10am on the day of the program.