Salsa for babies

We’ve heard of salsa for juniors, seniors and even salsa as rehablitation method for people conditioned with MS or Parkinson’s decease. But salsa for babies? Yes, this is the latest trend that is spreading accross US, Canada and as of late UK.

When seven-month-old Braxton Dohnt hears the sound of his rattle, he knows its time to salsa.
“If I shake it when it’s not dance class he looks around like ‘when’s the music starting?’ He associates the maraca rattle with the dancing. He loves it,” says his mother Temple Swift, 37.

Braxton and Swift take part in a weekly mother and baby fitness-dance class called Salsa Babies. The classes teach mom basic steps to the merengue, salsa, cha cha and the bachata, while baby is strapped to her in a carrier, shaking a maraca. As the baby grows, so does the resistance, making for a better workout. Moms can continue taking classes as long as they can carry their babies. When the baby gets too big, they can move on to Salsa Tots for toddlers and then to Salsa Kids, aged six to 10. Both programs are more children centered. They listen to Spanish music and learn the Spanish language and dance moves.

Lessons are taught at locations across Canada, the United States and in London, England. Jennifer Matthews brought the craze to Brantford. Originally from the Norfolk area, she moved to Toronto, where she saw Salsa Babies on TV and she’s been hooked ever since.”I love to do this,” says Matthews. “It’s an obsession. Physically it’s a very good workout, it’s very good exercise. It makes you feel so good.”

After taking lessons in Toronto, she decided to become a licensed instructor. When she moved back to the area, she saw a huge gap in the availability of fitness classes for moms. “There’s not a lot to do in Brantford for moms. It’s not like the big cities where you have a ton of physical activities to choose from,” says Matthews.

“I knew Brantford was a huge expanding community. I know there’s a ton of babies being born here and I know that a lot of people are moving down here from the big cities and they expect what they’re used to.”

Lessons, once a week for six-week sessions, run out of Dance Discovery Dance Studio on Dalkeith Drive and Sydenham Street United Church on Sydenham Street. Matthews also runs classes in Norfolk and Haldimand counties.

Moms in Brantford are loving it

“I have one mom who is in her fifth session right now,” says Matthews. “They keep coming back because they love it so much. There are so many benefits and so many reasons to like the class.”

Swift has been dancing with Braxton since he was six weeks old. “I’m kind of a Salsa Babies junkie,” says Swift. “It gets me out of the house and gives me an opportunity to network and talk to other moms. And it give me some exercise so I’m back in my clothes after baby and it’s fun. I love the salsa beat, the music. It kind of makes me feel like I’m away on vacation when we are dancing to the music.”

Besides helping moms get back into shape after having a baby, Matthews says the lessons have mental benefits as well, helping moms adjust. “You get to be normal again. You get to get out and chat with moms. It helps with mental health that way,” says Matthews.
Swift was nervous about going to her first class, not knowing anyone. “I didn’t have a friend to go with me, but I did because Braxton was my friend. You go with your baby. It wasn’t as intimidating as going to a dance class (alone). And now I have tons of friends in the class,” says Swift.

“It’s nice to be able to see familiar, friendly faces of moms that are experiencing the same things at different stages. We can talk about what stage we are at and relate to the different moms.”

If you’re interested in taking a Salsa Babies class, or would like more information visit www.jembabies.com or www.salsababies.com