FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No. You’ll dance in lines at all my classes. I don’t teach partner dancing.

The FitSteps classes exclusively incorporate just ballroom and latin dance styles but at all the Dance and Dance Fit classes you'll dance a variety of styles from all sorts of genres and even styles that are traditionally partner dancing. It’s possible to learn the moves and styles without the need of a partner.

You name it, I teach it…almost! Current exceptions would be Russian and Irish dancing, but you never know, that could change!!!

My classes may not be right for you if you’re only interested in learning one dance style. Variety is the name of the game with me.

No previous dance experience is necessary.

Whilst it will definitely be an advantage if you have done some dancing before, my classes aren’t about getting really good at one style, they’re about having fun trying lots of different styles.

No. You can attend as often or as little as you want. Each class is a stand alone class, so it won’t matter if you miss a few weeks or more.

Yes. Anyone is welcome to attend the classes, although you’ll find the majority of members are women.

Most of the members who come to my Dance Class are aged between about 50 and 80, with some younger and some older. There’s probably a slightly lower age range of 40 to 70 for the fitness classes.

It’s always worth checking with your GP first about whether it is advisable to take part in physical activity of any nature, if you have a particular health issue that may be of concern.

If you have an injury (short or long term) that prevents specific movements but doesn’t generally affect your ability to dance, then that’s fine from my point of view. You can adapt the moves you do to suit your own ability. I’ll often make alternative suggestions to avoid common issues or so you can work at a lower level.

Yes. Both a very important to help reduce the risk of injury but also to help you prepare for dancing and to wind down after the class.

All my classes last for 1 hour.

Clothing

You should always wear comfortable clothing that allows plenty of movement. There’s nothing worse than wearing something that is restrictive. You’ll get warm as you progress through the class, so it’s wise to wear layers that you can take off as you warm up. Remember, some materials are more breathable than others. Some venues also get warmer than others due to the size of the room and the number of people taking part.

Footwear

This is a little trickier and will also depend on the type of class you attend and the venue/flooring. Essentially you want to wear something that will allow free movement across the floor, so something with a smoother sole is best. You don’t want to wear slip-on shoes that could easily come off.

If you’re attending a fitness class or during a more energetic Dance Class, you may prefer to wear something that will support your foot and provide more cushioning, so trainers can be advantageous. If you enjoy the class and wish to keep attending then you may wish to purchase some specialised dance sneakers, which I wear at all my classes. They have the smoother sole with a 'spin spot' but also provide cushioning and support.

I don’t recommend stiletto heels for any classes and many of the venues don’t allow these shoes to be worn.

Water.

It’s important you keep hydrated during the class, whether you attend a dance or fitness class. I strongly recommend you bring your own resuable water bottle.