Courses Description
Here is a full description of all our courses. To help you choose the right course and level, LDA offers evaluations and advice. To find out more about this please go to terms and conditions page in the 'choosing a course' section or click here
Level 1.1
Welcome to Salsa!
This basic 6-week programme, is designed to lay down a strong foundation, for students who are new to Salsa. Here, we build from the ground up, ensuring that students develop a sound understanding of timing, basic footwork and partnering technique. We provide a structured and progressive course in a fun environment.
At the end of this course, you will be able to understand the salsa music and dance short and simple routines.
We would also teach some basic Bachata and Merengue steps, some of the other dances which evolve around salsa in a club.
Of the 7.5 hours course, you will learn 4.5 hours of Salsa, 1.5 hours of Bachata and 1.5 hours of Merengue.
LDA recommends you take this course : 1 time
Level 1.2
On completion of level 1.1, you will now know the basic rhythm and steps to salsa, bachata and merengue.
In this level 1.2, you will start by learning some simple basic turn patterns, that involves leading and following, with good emphasis on basic techniques. To make this level more fun, you will also learn more Bachata Steps and Merengue patterns.
The main concept of this course, is to learn the Cross Body Turn, on how to lead and follow it, using both your hands and to the rhythm of the music. You will also be introduced to simple SHINES (foot movements), which helps with the rhythm of the salsa music.
LDA recommends you to take this course : 1 time
Level 2.1
Completion of Level 1.2 is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, an equivalent experience of Salsa Dancing.
Having established a strong foundation from Levels 1.1 and 1.2, this course, is designed to continue reinforcing good leading and following techniques, whilst incorporating more footwork skills, and teaching you how to be light on your feet. Timing and Techniques will be emphasised strongly to ensure proper execution of turn patterns.
LDA Recommends you to take this course : 2 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 1, Cha Cha 1
Level 2.2
Completion of Level 2.1 is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, an equivalent experience of Salsa Dancing.
Students will be introduced to the concept of spinning in salsa and the techniques involved! You will become familiar with the more complex and challenging aspects of following in Salsa. Timing and good understanding of the music is still a recurring theme at this level and this will enable you to feel more confident and relaxed when following more complicated turn patterns.
LDA recommends you to take this course: 2 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 1, Cha Cha 1
Level 2.3
Completion of Level 2.2, TWICE, is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, an equivalent experience of Salsa Dancing.
Having learnt more intricate moves and combinations, involving spinning, now you will learn more traditional steps called the “In & Out” and “Back Hand Drop”, “Double Spins” in couples, and ladies would be introduced to Styling.
Footwork and Shines would still be a integral part of this course.
LDA recommends you to take this course : 2-3 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 1, Cha Cha 1
Level 3.1
Completion of Level 2.3, TWICE, is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, an equivalent experience of Salsa Dancing.
This course is designed to increase your dance vocabulary, while still emphasizing proper techniques, precise footwork, balance and co-ordination and dance floor etiquette. Slowly the turn patterns will get longer, and you will learn to flow the combinations using the music, and creating confidence to ask and be asked to dance, on the dance floor.
LDA recommends you to take this course : 4-6 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 2, Cha Cha 2, Mambo 1
Level 3.2
Completion of Level 3.1 is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, an equivalent experience of Salsa Dancing.
In this course, you will learn the techniques of multiple spins, how to build your own turn patterns with good leading and following techniques, and using styling and intricate footwork.
The Footwork would involve lots of spinning for both, leaders and Followers, and also include 8 count steps (Grapevine). And the partnerwork would involve, ladies styling in partnerwork. This is the course that sets you up, to stand out on the dance floor.
Even though you will be asked to repeat this course, a few times, the material always changes from course to course. So, this is your opportunity to gain, enough knowledge and material to build your moves repertoire.
LDA recommends you to take this course : 6-8 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 2, Cha Cha 2, Mambo 1
Level 3.3
Completion of Level 3.2 is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, subject to the instructor’s discretion.
To enter this course, you would have to be evaluated by your Level 3.3 instructors.
This course is designed to challenge your minds and bodies. It involves Improvisation, Musical Interpretation, Spinning, Styling and various intricate turn patterns.
Now that you would have gained enough knowledge to lead and follow, many turn patterns. You will learn how to create and improvise your own patterns and footwork. Also in this course, you will learn partner connection, new Spinning Techniques, Posture Exercises and body movements all of this will make sure, your turn pattern repertoire excels here.
LDA recommends you to take this course : 7-8 times
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 2, Cha Cha 2, Mambo 2
Level 4
Completion of Level 3.3 is a minimum requirement to enter this course or, subject to the instructor’s discretion.
To enter this course, you would have to be evaluated by your Level 4 instructors.
This being the highest level at LDA, the students can be assured, that they are updated with the latest turn patterns. Body Movements and Isolations (taken from the Ladies Styling course) are practised to start incorporating the elements of style within these Advanced turn patterns. A high level of Spinning, Musical Interpretation, Footwork, Improvisation and Dance Floor Etiquette, are strong requirements for this class.
You will elevate your social dancing skills here, in preparation for performing/teaching etc, gaining expertise from our instructors.
Other Course Recommendation : Bachata 2, Cha Cha 2, Mambo 2,
.
Ladies Styling Level 2
This course will cover step by step all the basic aspects of Styling, paying special attention to Isolations, Body Movements, Basic Footwork, Improvisations, Spinning Technique and
Basic Styling during partner work.
This course is open to all ladies of Levels 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, except
levels 1.
Ladies Styling Level 3/4
This course will cover more advance footwork, arm work, advance body movements and styling in partner work. We will be working in interpretation of the music and improvisation on the dance floor.
Ladies who would like to do this course will need to be in Level 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 or 4.
Other Course Recommendation : Cha Cha 1-2, Salsa
Mambo 1
This course focuses on the New York Style of Dancing on2, which is the latest phenomenon around the globe.
To be a complete dancer, learning all the styles is very vital. So this course is designed for dancers who want to learn this new style.
You will be taught the basic steps of dancing on the ‘2’, following the clave and conga beats. It’s quite a challenging course and to help you understand the whole concept, you will be doing a lot of simple footwork exercises, identifying the beats, with some simple partnerwork, on knowing how to lead while dancing on2.
This course is ideal for people, who are in Level 3.1 or above and are very confident with their dancing on1.
LDA recommends you to take this course: 2 times
Other Course Recommendation: Cha Cha 2
Mambo 2
This course is a continuation of Mambo 1. You will learn more challenging and more advanced footwork as well as partner work.
You will need to have a perfect understanding of the music and timming as well as following/leading on2
You need to be evaluated to be part of this group.
This course is designed for levels 3.3 and 4 only, where we teach you intricate turn patterns and footwork. Multiple spins is an essential part of this course, and will be taught with special drills.
Styling, Musical Intepretation, Isolations and body movements will be inclusive as part of the Turn patterns.
We would be specialising in the Eddie Torres technique, and will share our knowledge of the great man with you, within the classes.
Dancing to the music, rather than the numbers, would be prime objective of this class.
Other Course Recommendation: Cha Cha 2,
Bachata 1
This latest craze that is hitting the London clubs by storm, comes from the Dominican Republic. It’s a very sexy and smooth dance and danced in couples.
This 6 weeks course, would have you guys where you belong after you finish, on the dance floor asking for more. On a week to week basis, you will learn the first basic steps, followed by some simple partner leading.
If you want to look sexy on the dance floor, sign up for this course. Its one of our popular courses, so sign up fast !!!
Bachata 2
Having finished your basic Bachata 1, now you will be getting into the deeper end of learning how to lead the lady into some intricate foot steps, making her look sexy while you lead.
Over the 6 weeks you will learn many moves and steps, and isolations of the body that makes you stand out in the crowd.
This class is challenging but fun. And everything you learn in this course, would contribute towards you social salsa dancing
Cha Cha (HISTORY)
Cha Cha is the newcomer of the Latin American Dances. This dance was first seen in the dance-halls of America, in the early fifties, following closely to Mambo, from which it was developed. The music is slower than Mambo.
Originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha. It became popular about 1954. Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Eventually it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha.
The dance consists of three quick steps and two slower steps on the one beat and two beat.
The Cha Cha Cha originates from Cuba. It got it's name from the sound the feet make on the floor as it is danced 'Cha Cha Cha'. Easy and fun to learn to dance.
An interesting fact about Cha Cha is that Bruce Lee, the movie star famous for his martial arts movies, was the 1955 Hong Kong Cha Cha champion.
Most recently it will have been seen in the UK on the hit BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing.
Cha Cha 1
Having read a few lines about the history of Cha Cha, here at the LDA you will have the opportunity to learn this easy, fun and elegant dance, which is popular in all salsa clubs.
Over the 6 weeks you will learn the basics first, which definitely helps your salsa footwork and timing, and then slowly lead into some partner work. Everything is broken down to the beat and also, help you identify the steps in the music.
LDA recommends you to take this course: 2 - 3 times
Other Course Recommendation: Mambo1, Salsa 2.3 and above
Cha Cha 2
You need to be evaluated by Shaan, to be part of this group.
In this class, you will learn some complex footwork and partner work, paying a lot of attention on the music. Having the knowledge of Cha Cha, would definitely help you with your Mambo and Salsa courses.
LDA recommends you to take this course: 3-4 times
Other Course Recommendation: Mambo2, Salsa 3.2 and above
