Is Samba the same as Zumba?

The short answer is: No.

Many people are just now becoming aware of samba dance thanks to the popularity of the "Latin-inspired" Zumba dance-fitness program. Zumba brings together many different types of dance and each instructor creates a specific workout including their choice of various dances. Samba can be one of the dances included.
Also, Zumba is a registered trademark, samba is not.

What does samba look like? Like this:

There are several styles of samba dance including samba no pé, gafieira, axé, and samba rock. Rio and Bahia styles of the basic samba step also differ. Samba also refers to the music to which samba is danced. There are several variations or types of samba rhythms including but not limited to: samba reggae, partido alto, samba canção, samba enredo, and samba de roda.

Open Level Samba Class 02/07/2012

Open Level Samba class 02/07/2012 at Piel Canela Dance School at Pearl Studios (NYC).

Appreciating the Appreciation

Today's appreciation class at the Humble School of Martial Arts was incredible! The energy was amazing -- joyful, exuberant, and sweaty! We moved at an easy pace but quickly worked up a sweat with all those bodies in the room shaking those hips and shimmying those shoulders! It was a beautiful sight to see.

I have to thank Master Sabu for allowing me free use of his studio, the Humble School of Martial Arts (973 Fulton Street b/w St James Pl & Cambridge Pl Brooklyn NY 11238). I hope after the free class that all you new folks will be back every Sunday 3:30 to 5:00pm. Only $15, drop in on any day and wear comfortable clothing you can move and sweat in!

Thanks so much to some of my first students ever who represented in class: Robyn and Carla. And to my Sunday students at the Humble School: Ms. Gousby, Jane, Shahidah, Jennifer. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the positive and welcoming atmosphere.

And to all the new folks who came to try me out for the first time! I had a blast, I was smiling throughout the whole class!!

I just want to share a couple quotes from those who attended today that I hope will inspire you to come and join us:

"I love your fun workout"
-Sheila

"Thank you so much, I feel smaller and sexier after your class"
-Kaskadé

"Fun, fun, fun"
-Alethea

"Fun as always!"
-Edna

Thank you! I love you all!

6-week Cycles Start this Saturday April 3 (Manhattan)

I will be teaching two levels of samba in 6-week cycles on Saturdays beginning April 3rd at Piel Canela Dance School at Pearl Studios in Manhattan:

Samba 1 is basic level -- little to no samba or dance experience; class will move slower than Samba 2.

Samba 2 advanced beginner/beginning intermediate -- previous samba experience (at least 6 classes of Samba 1), able to dance basic step rapidly and grasp basic choreography.

Samba 1 will be a pre-requisite for Samba 2 -- you must have gone through 6 weeks of Samba 1 in order to join Samba 2.
Admittance to Samba 2 will be at the instructor's discretion.

Contact me if you have questions.

Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays will remain Open Level.