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The voice of a smoky lead vocal plaintively recites the wrongs of an erstwhile lover above the brassy strains of a rising volume of horns accompanied by piano, violin, flutes, bass, and percussion. I only know enough Spanish to pick up bits and pieces of the singer's complaint, but the sophistication and mood of the music intoxicates and whispers to me over and over, "dance, dance, dance...." Salsa - this is exercise you can love. If you're anything like I was, your treadmill stands in dusty accusation in a corner of  your rec room; your weights have been, well, weighing on you; and your sit-ups have become...sit-downs before the T.V. So, get up and Salsa your way to health! Dancing is a mild aerobic workout, minus the boredom of those stationary exercises. Most dance styles are the equivalent of a 3 mph walk. Salsa and other up tempo dance styles can burn calories even faster. The legs are the biggest muscle in the body. The harder they work, the more calories you burn. One estimate holds that Salsa, with its fast paced dips, turns, and non-stop side-to-side movements, burns as many as 400 calories per hour. And because it is so much fun, you'll probably forget you're exercising. At Salsa clubs, it's not unusual to see couples dancing three, four, or five songs in a row. You, however, don't need a downpour of sweat to benefit from a Salsa workout. Even light, regular dancing will shape your muscles and improve posture and body tone - especially in the legs and buttocks. In addition, it will improve balance and muscle strength, coordination, as well as poise and grace.  
Getting Started You can begin to dance right in the privacy of your home. There are several sites on the Internet where you can watch video of the basic Salsa steps. It's also possible to find lots of quality instructional DVDs or videos, such as the ones linked to above. All you need to get started is a television, DVD or VCR player, and a little space. What makes Salsa even more fun is the fact that it can be done with your significant other. You will need a pair of dance slippers, jazz shoes, or regular shoes with slick bottoms. If necessary, you can easily convert a regular pair of shoes to dance shoes by attaching fitted pieces of thick fabric to the soles. Clothing at this point can be anything comfortable. Although, learning will probably be more fun if you look more like you're about to dance Salsa than like someone about to play rugby. Try to imitate the movement of the instructors in the video as closely as possible. It's better to move near the normal speed of the dance, rather than slowly. Don't worry whether you getting the steps perfectly at first. The important thing is to have fun. Remember that no matter how you dance, you're at least achieving your goal of burning calories. If you have the time and money, consider taking a Salsa class. It will definitely accelerate your learning and the additional benefits you derive from dancing Salsa. Additional Benefits More than just an exercise, Salsa is expressive and sensual. It can enhance your emotional well-being, and it can renew excitement and romance in your relationship. Learning to dance Salsa can also be wonderfully relaxing, and it can result in an increased level of confidence as you learn to master the complicated steps. Some have claimed that Salsa will lower your fat, strengthen your bones, boost immunity, increase mental alertness, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and even cancer. Those are bold claims for something as simple as dancing. Regardless of whether or not these claims are true, no one disputes that Salsa is fun. In fact, it is downright addictive. __________________________ By Rosa Pereira
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