Salsacubarican as featured in South Woodford Gazette

Add some spice to your life

Let in some sun, tone your body and add some “spice” to life this winter.   If you’re looking for a fun, sociable exercise then Mike Frederick’s Salsa class, opening this month at Bancroft’s Rugby Club, could be for you.  “Within 3 records you will learn to dance salsa,” promises Mike.   An experienced & successful teacher for the last 10 years, Mike’s pupils have included many competition winners but, he says, “the dance is for everyone from 6 - 60!  The oldest person I’ve taught was 83!”  (He’s even successfully taught a blind person.  “He listened much more carefully to the instructions!” says Mike!)

One-time European Karate champion, Mike originally took up the dance as recuperative exercise after injury kept him from karate.  “While I was resting I wanted to learn something new.  Salsa uses the same balance and co-ordination skills as karate and I loved it.”  To gain authentic technique he trained in Cuba and, back in England, he started being asked to teach & take workshops.  “I still visit Cuba every year.  People there talk to me as if I were Spanish when they see me dance - they say “You dance Cubana!”

Though he is fit enough to return to karate, salsa is now a part of his life, and he gives regular classes, the nearest  until now has been in Wood Green.  Some of Mike’s pupils have persuaded him to bring a class closer to South Woodford.  “The classes are very friendly and you don’t have to come as a couple,” says one enthusiast.

“‘Salsa’ isn’t a particular dance,” says Mike. “It’s a modern term & just means ‘spicy’ or ‘hot’ - Cuban dancers would say to the musicians - ‘Give me some sauce or “salsa”.’   There are lots of rhythms & styles - fast slow, Cuban, Puerto Rican.  
You can dance on your own or sometimes as a group.  And it’s great for body toning too, particularly hip, legs and calves.”