Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

METRO WROKOUT

Twist and shout

PHOTO: R.V. Moorthy

Putting a shine to it Students try to keep step with their instructors at a Salsa India class

Whisper the word “Salsa”. Images of sweaty, toned bodies swirling to pounding music rush to mind. I join a Salsa class in the expectation of pirouetting like JLo and sliding like Richard Gere. But all I succeed in doing is vexing my partner and embarrassing myself.

I locate Salsa India “The Home of Salsa in India” in an incognito basement in South Delhi. I can’t hear music as I descend the stairs. And I wonder if I’ve reached the right place. But on opening the door, I see a group of 20-odd youngsters mastering their footwork in front of a mirror panel. I’m at the right place.

Jyoti Nanda, the Operations Manager is quick to greet me and push me into the class. The Salsa instructor Neha Malhotra takes us through the basic steps of LA Salsa. The steps ‘forward break’, ‘back break’ and ‘side break’ are followed easily by the class. It’s only a beginner’s session, yet most of the students seem to have an innate sense of rhythm. The steps require one step forward, back or side to the count of 1,2,3 or 5,6,7. My feet scramble as I try to keep count.

Suddenly, I’m seized upon by Ravi, another instructor. With infinite patience, he decodes the steps for me. The music begins. “Mere Cumbe” blares from the system. And suddenly I find the steps. No, the steps find me. Hopeful about my achievement, Ravi then takes me through a cross-body lead. It requires me to step, swing out and swing back and step. I enjoy it but I know I’m not quite following suit.

Ravi tells me, “Look up”. “Keep your hand tight”. “Don’t stretch out your arm”. “Your elbow must remain bent”. “When you swing in, your foot should be straight”. “Push me back.” I vainly try to keep the volley of commands in mind. But Salsa is not just about footwork. It’s about the attitude and the aura. The flourishes that accompany the dance steps are more fun and easier to master. Pay heed to the music and the rest follows. At the beginner’s level, Salsa is not physically exhausting. It’s in the later stage when it becomes proper exercise. For now, as Neha points out, it’s a “real stress buster”.

I leave the class with a newfound appreciation for all the dancers of the world. The skill of dancers is to make the impossible look effortless, I realise.

(For more information – www.salsa-india.com or call 9811222186)

( nandini@thehindu.co.in)

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail