The Scoop on DanceSati:
I’ve been a huge fan of Patricia Moreno’s since I first encountered intenSati during a free trial at Equinox. It was the first time I experienced a fitness class that blended the mind AND body.
If you’ve never taken an intenSati class it’s a bit bizarre to explain. It’s cardio kickboxing and dance… but you scream affirmations during it. (Read more on my first intensity experience here)
DanceSati is a bit different in format and there is minimal screaming, but it comes from that same place of empowerment.
I left class on Saturday drenched in sweat with a big ass smile on my face. I had forgotten how blissful dancing can be.
The Deets
DanceSati
offered at various locations
Website || Facebook || Instagram
$30 per class. *Currently on ClassPass and Fitreserve too
First things first: I was a dancer.
Maybe not a very good one, but I grew up taking dance classes, teaching dance at a day camp in Westchester and went on to study musical theater in college.
I mention this because there can be A LOT of anxiety surrounding cardio dance classes. So I can’t speak to that experience.
But what I can say is, in recent years I haven’t found much joy in dancing.
I’m awkward as all hell in the more sexy focused cardio dance classes that have gained popularity in NYC. And then there’s those shockingly competitive zumba classes I used to take. Guys, I let my Broadway dreams go a looooong time ago, I don’t need to show people up in a freaking zumba class.
So I haven’t been doing much dancing lately. Even though it’s something that used to make me SO happy.
The Class
Before diving into class, Patricia asked us why we were there:
✨ Were we there to get a good workout?
✨ Or were we there to cut loose and enjoy ourselves.
That’s the thing. Every workout doesn’t need to be the hardest workout of your freaking life. And this is something I’m starting to realize as I start to focus more on doing the workouts I enjoy rather than what I feel like I should be doing.
✨
After a quick warm-up it was go time.
During the class you learn a solid chunk of choreography, but it’s broken down throughout the class into bite-sized 8 counts. We reviewed it over and over again until we were ready for a mini performance at the end of class. The steps were relatively simple and no fancy dance terms were used, but it was still a legit piece of choreography.
✨
What made this class different from a typical cardio dance class was the focus on community.
We introduced ourselves to 5 new people at the beginning of class. Throughout the class this sense of community continued as we high-fived each other and even told someone they are sexy.
I hate talking to strangers as much as the next New Yorker, but this friendliness made the room feel like a judgement free zone. It didn’t matter if you were a good dancer, a shy dancer, a full-out bad dancer, everyone was welcome.
I make a hilarious cameo in this video from Saturday’s class. No f*cks given, I was having a blast.
Did I sweat? Oh yes. Was it the hardest workout I’ve ever done? Nah, but it got those endorphins flowing and that’s all that mattered.
Bottomline:
I will be back. For sure. Between the supportive environment and joyful approach to cardio dance, I freaking loved it and floated back to my apartment. Maybe it’s time for me to return to my dancing roots…
Leah says
My friend Lucie and her twin are in that class- I see them in the video 🙂
Kayla says
THAT’S HILARIOUS! So funny they were there too.