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By now, the Salsa craze seems to have hit every city, with clubs and dance studios popping everywhere. Popular television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars have sparked interest in an entirely new audience that, otherwise, would never have taken any kind of partner dance class. It just proves that we all have a dancer within waiting to come out.   "What if I have absolutey zero dance experience?" you may be asking. Then Salsa is perfect for you. People of all ages and backgrounds, male and female, are taking classes to learn to dance Salsa. And mastering Salsa dance steps is not as difficult as you may think. The important thing to remember when dancing Salsa is that it's not just steps, it is a feeling. The word “Salsa,” the Spanish word for sauce, was originally used to convey the hot and spicy “feelings” behind the movements. Nowadays, the word “Salsa” is recognized and widely accepted as the actual form of dance.   People learn to dance for manydifferent reasons. Some take dance classes with serious intentions of mastering the art form. Others take dance classes to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Still others may join a class for fun or as a way to connect with others. Whatever your reason for learning to dance, you will be glad you did.   Below are just a few of the ways Salsa dancing can improve your life:   Let’s be honest. Salsa dancing considerably opens up your pool of potential dating candidates. And you get to be up close-and-personal in the process of getting to know others. Did someone say gym? I didn’t think so. Because that is the last thing you will need if you get serious about Salsa dancing. Your legs, arms, shoulders, hips, stomach and ankles are being exercised all at once for a complete body work. Forget dating. Salsa is simply a great way to meet new friends, network and socialize. Feeling down? Attending a Salsa class or going out dancing can pick you up and shake you out of a habitualroutine. Get ready to feel alive! Bored? Want to challenge yourself? Salsa dancing is a great way to learn a new skill, either alone or with a loved one.     The Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to:   Reduce stress Increase energy Improve strength Increase coordination     The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that dancing can:   Lower your risk of coronary heart disease Decrease blood pressure Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips Helps you release toxins via sweating     A 21-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly. The study showed that dancing may be a triple benefit for the brain. Not only does the physical aspect of dancing increase blood flow to the brain, but also the social aspect of the activity leads to less stress, depression and loneliness. Further, dancing requires memorizing steps and working with a partner,both of which provide mental challenges that are crucial for brain health. PMID: 12815136 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] The benefits of learning to dance Salsa are endless. Isn’t it time you gave it a try??