Are you looking to really sweat this winter? Why not try a traditional African dance class and bring the sun to Canada? These classes promise to get you moving fast, get the adrenaline pumping and be both challenging and exhilarating at once.

 

African dance is a general term used for dances stemming from the entire African continent. The Continent is as diverse as it is large and many teachers specialize in a certain geographical area of Africa. All African dance stems from the pulsating rhythm of the drumbeat.

 

These dances were developed over time and have been passed on from one generation to the next. Dances mimic everyday activities such as fishing and farming. Some dances are celebratory in nature and commemorate weddings, changing of the seasons and even religious and spiritual events. This kind of dance often challenges the dancer’s coordination and endurance. In its most authentic form, African dance almost always incorporates self-expression and improvisational elements.

 

Many teachers choose to incorporate some improvisation into their movement classes. Finding a class with live drummers is always a treat. In fact many African dancers drum and vice versa. What to wear to an African dance class? Wear comfortable clothes you can really move in, such as sweats and a t-shirt or tank top, as well as bare feet. Be prepared to move parts of your body that often don’t move, such as the entire torso and spine, in either isolation-type movements, contractions or undulations. The exciting thing about African dance is that in major cities across the country it has become quite common and one can often find a master (expert teacher)/ school and/or African dance company just about anywhere. African dance is social, energetic and fun for all ages!