Dance
We offer classes in traditional West African dance, contemporary Jazz and Tap dance, and Zumba for groups and individuals.
Traditional
West African Dance
Class length: 60 minutes
Class series: 8 weeks (1 class a week)
Days and times: TBD
Price: TBD
Class Description: Traditional West African Dance classes are amazing, high-energy, fun experiences. In this class, students will be introduced to the basics of Traditional West African Dance. They will learn basic dance techniques, and various combinations, accompanied by live drumming to fit perfectly with the movements. Taught by choreographer/drummer/dancer Tyehimba Kokayi, this class is a unique opportunity to learn a traditional art from a modern master.
The heart of this class is movement. Students will learn to move their bodies with elegance, dignity and strength. The techniques and rhythms taught in this class will provide students with the opportunity for personal transformation and community connection.
Benefits include: movement, improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, connection to earth energy, importance of tradition, community, focus, coordination and self-confidence.
Level: Beginner
Age: Open to those 16 and older
Class Minimum: 5
Class Maximum: 50
Individual private lessons are available upon request.
What to bring to class: You, your body, your spirit and a standard issue West African Lapah; or a couple of yards of your favorite West African fabric to wrap around your waist. Light, free flowing and colorful fabrics work best! Participants may also wear baggy pants.
Jazz
Class length: 60 minutes
Class series: 8 weeks (1 class a week)
Days and times: TBD
Price: TBD
Class Description: Adult Jazz Dance classes are an fun way to get up and moving while learning proper technique and strengthening the body. Students will be introduced to the basics of Jazz dance which include walks, lunges and various dance combinations and movements.
The heart of this class is movement. Students will learn to move their bodies with elegance, dignity and strength. This class will provide students with the opportunity for personal transformation and community connection.
Benefits include: increased flexibility, muscle strength, balance, focus, coordination, rhythm, and relaxation
Level: Beginner
Age: Open to those 16 and older
Class Minimum: 5
Class Maximum: 50
Individual private lessons are available upon request.
What to bring to class: You, your body, and your spirit. Students are asked to wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for dancing, stretching and movement.
Tap Dance
Class length: 60 minutes
Class series: 8 weeks (1 class a week)
Days and times: TBD
Price: TBD
Class Description: Adult Tap Dance classes are an fun way to get up and moving while learning proper technique, imporving coordination and strengthening the body. Students will be introduced to the basics of Tap dance which include flaps, shuffles, and various combinations of the two.
The heart of this class is movement. Students will learn to move their bodies with confidence, dignity and strength. This class will provide students with opportunities for personal transformation and community connection.
Benefits include: increased flexibility, muscle strength, balance, focus, coordination, timing, rhythm, and relaxation.
Level: Beginner
Age: Open to those 16 and older
Class Minimum: 5
Class Maximum: 50
Individual private lessons are available upon request.
What to bring to class: You, your body, and your spirit. Students are asked to wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for dancing, stretching and movement.
Zumba is a fun and energetic workout that combines dance and fitness, making it easy to stay motivated while improving heart health, strength, and coordination.
Zumba
Zumba
Class length: 60 minutes
Class series: 8 weeks (1 class a week)
Days and times: TBD
Price: TBD
Class Description: Students will be introduced to Zumba.
Benefits include: movement, improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, connection to earth energy, importance of tradition, community, focus, coordination, self confidence
Level: Beginner
Age: Open to those 16 and older
Class Minimum: 5
Class Maximum: 50
Individual private lessons are available upon request.
What to bring to class: You, your body, your spirit and a standard issue West African Lapah; or a couple of yards of your favorite West African fabric to wrap around your waist. Light, free flowing and colorful fabrics work best! Participants may also wear baggy pants.
Zumba FAQs
What is zumba?
Zumba is an aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music.
Does Zumba actually work?
Zumba definitely works at getting your heart rate up, helping you to balance more, and also at strengthening important muscle groups like your core. Because it is pretty fun, and keeps you guessing as to what you have to do next, it is easy to stick with for the long term.
Is Zumba a good workout?
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Zumba promotes heart health
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Zumba tones and builds muscle
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Zumba is a great stress reliever
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Zumba promotes healthy weight loss
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Zumba improves coordination and flexibility.
What should I wear to Zumba?
Zumba Class Clothing. When it comes to what clothes to wear for Zumba classes, there’s a lot more flexibility. Wear whatever makes you happy, as long as it is not so tight that your breathing or movement is restricted. Consider t-shirts, tank tops, workout pants, capris, shorts.
What is more effective, yoga or zumba?
Zumba’S Or Yoga? Is It Zumba Or Yoga? The sport of Zumba burns a higher amount of calories than yoga, and it can lead to quicker weight loss. As your body tones and gets stronger, it is quicker for you to start training. Compared to yoga, which tends to require more time to lose weight, it takes less time.
What to expect at your first Zumba class?
What to expect from your first Zumba class. “ Zumba combines dance moves and aerobics to give you a total-body workout ," says Tabares. "The class usually begins with a warm-up, then progresses to faster dance moves, interspersed with slower routines.”. After a mix of dance paces, the class ends with a cool-down.
My Zumba pedagogy is pro-cultural awareness. I encourage my students to work hard, feel comfortable and learn to enjoy different cultural music, this enhances the Zumba class experience. I educate students regarding facts about their physical fitness and enhance community cultural enlightenment to foster growth for community members of all ages. This gives me an advantage of being familiar with the diverse Northern California Fitness and Education community.
Dance Performance Videos
Click on the image above to watch a performance of "We are the Same," filmed at the Burbank Theater at the Santa Rosa Junior College as part of the SRJC Community Dance Festival in December of 2022.
Click on the image above to watch a .
Dancing helps to:
- Reduces stress and depression.
- Increase energy and serotonin.
- Improve flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.
- Strengthen bones and boosts cardiovascular health.
- Increase mental capacity by exercising our cognitive processes.
- Creates new neural paths by engaging in dynamic and rapid-fire decision making.
A 21-year study of senior citizens, 75 and older, led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, discovered that dancing frequently reduced the risk of dementia by 76%!