| Group salsa lessons are a fun, social, and affordable | | | | teaching you and you only which will prevent you from |
| way to learn how to salsa dance. Some group | | | | picking up bad habits. Most people pick up bad habits |
| classes can be as large as 40 people or as small as 5. | | | | with out knowing it. Small things like not being wary of |
| The average class size at 15-20 people and | | | | your posture or moving your hips the wrong way take |
| oftentimes students are required to rotate partners | | | | a very long time to unlearn once they have become a |
| through out the evening. If you’re a guy, this helps | | | | habit. A good salsa instructor will keep you on the right |
| you learn to lead different women. If you’re girl, this | | | | path and weed out any potential bad habits at the first |
| helps you learn how to follow different leading styles. | | | | sign. Thus a student who wants to have a more |
| Students who take group classes on regular basis also | | | | refined technique and accelerate their learning ought to |
| form friendships and there is no better place to meet a | | | | take private salsa lessons. |
| potential dance partner then in a salsa class. | | | | Private salsa lessons are also the way to go if you |
| People who get a lot out of group salsa classes are | | | | are not some one who learns well in large groups. The |
| usually very good at following directions and well | | | | most important thing for an absolute beginner is to |
| coordinated. People who are active in martial arts, | | | | have a proper foundation. People who are new to |
| yoga, sports, or other forms of dancing usually can | | | | salsa and have a below average sense of |
| follow their dance instructor with relative ease. On the | | | | coordination may find themselves struggling to keep up |
| other hand, people who are poorly coordinated may | | | | in a group class. If this is the case, consider a few one |
| find themselves struggling to keep up in their first few | | | | on one sessions at a pace that you feel comfortable |
| classes. | | | | with. You can take group classes once you have |
| That is the unavoidable downside of group lessons. | | | | developed a good grasp of the basics. The great thing |
| They are a one size fits all solution. I teach a weekly | | | | about private salsa classes is that they can be custom |
| salsa class in Times Square that ranges from 15-30 | | | | tailored to meet your needs. You may want to take |
| people. I have to teach at a pace that accommodates | | | | private lessons for any of these reasons listed: 1. |
| everyone in the room. Therefore some people will feel | | | | You’re an absolute beginner and need things |
| the class is too fast while others may feel the class is | | | | broken down more. 2. You already know the basics |
| too slow. The other downside of group salsa lessons | | | | but find yourself unable to move past a sticking point. 3. |
| is the instructor can't give you individual attention. That | | | | You want to further refine your technique beyond |
| means if your executing a move incorrectly, the | | | | what your group classes can offer. |
| instructor may not even notice because he/she is | | | | The one main benefit that group classes have over |
| watching the entire class and not just you. Having that | | | | private lessons is the opportunity to practice with |
| critical eye focused only upon you is why you may | | | | many different dance partners. Learning to follow and |
| want to consider spending a little more for private | | | | learning to lead is a skill that develops over time |
| salsa instruction. | | | | through experience. One must practice with many |
| Private salsa lesssons usually cost some where in the | | | | different people in order to gain the experience |
| range of $80 - $100. It's about 4x more than what you | | | | necessary to develop this ability. I believe the optimal |
| would pay for a group class. On the other hand, | | | | way to learn is to take both private and group lessons |
| students who take private lessons learn at a much | | | | hand in hand. This gives you the critical one on one |
| quicker pace and can cut your learning curve in half. | | | | attention along with regular partner-work experience. |
| The instructor has his/her attention focused on | | | | |