Dancing and fitness, two words that you may not think belong together.
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Bally instructor Jose Hernandez Trabal and participants of Bally’s Latin Rhythms dance classes take a moment to hold the perfect dancers pose. |
But dancing is actually a great way to get your blood pumping and get the suggested amount of daily aerobic activity which can help you get healthy and stay fit.
Dancing is a fantastic, fun and liberating activity.
Don’t let the fact that you’ve never done it before stand in your way, everyone can learn to dance.
One benefit of dancing is that you can burn up to 550 calories in one and a half hours.
Besides being a great way to burn calories, you shape muscles in your hips and legs, and you gain flexibility. Plus dancing lowers your stress levels.
Recently Bally Total Fitness held two days of 2 hour Latin dance classes.
Latin dancing is a vibrant, passionate fun and social dance with music that will move you.
The classes were hosted by Bally Instructor Jose Hernandez Trabal, who is originally from Puerto Rico.
Bally’s Latin Rhythms dance classes incorporated Salsa, Rumba, and Merengue plus provided participants with a unique exercise experience.
Over the two days of dance classes held at Bally those participating were taken through the basic dance steps slowly until they progressed to a faster and more complex movement.
Many persons attending the dance classes said that they did not know that dancing could be so intense and offer such a great workout.
Bally’s Latin Rhythms was the first event of its kind held at Bally.
And more dance classes with a Latin, hip hop, and funk theme are planned to be offered in the new year at Bally Total Fitness.
History of Latin Dance
Salsa is the most widely heard and influential form of music from Puerto Rico.
The term translates to English as "sauce" to denote music that spices and enlightens things.
But not just any music, it is a complex musical genre that evolved from many roots and countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, and The U.S.A.
Salsa’s rhythms are hot urban, rhythmically sophisticated, and compelling.
The Rumba’s development in Cuba dates back to the middle of the 19th century, during the Spanish colonial period.
The original meaning of rumba refers to a community party, usually outdoors. Neighbors would gather to dance at such parties.
In this sense, many claim that rumba refers to as much of a festive atmosphere as it does to a specific dance music genre.
As is the case with all those music genres derived from Africa, the participants would play instruments like drums or a maraca.
This would be accompanied by hand clapping, singing, and of course, dancing. These occasions were called rumba parties, or "rumbones".
The origin of Merengue is not known definitively.
Some say it was invented by Colonel Alfonseca, while others say it was born as a Dominican melody after the Dominican victory at the Battle of Talanquera.
Yet another theory is that it came from Cuba and Puerto Rico in the mid 19th century.
Though the origin of the Merengue is not exactly known its movements are known to be some of the most invigorating in Latin dance.
- Austin DWI - New York DWI