Cuban Salsa in Biel: your complete guide to the first class

Fancy taking up Cuban Salsa but still hesitating? That's completely normal: walking through the door of a dance school for the first time is often the hardest part. The good news? After that first step, everything gets easier. Here's everything you need to know to arrive at your first class feeling relaxed.

Do you need to know how to dance to start?

No — and that's exactly the point of a beginner class. Cuban Salsa is learned step by step: the basic step, the rhythm of the music, then your first moves. No one expects you to know anything when you arrive. Beginner classes are designed for people who have never danced — including those who think they "have no rhythm". A sense of rhythm can be trained, just like a muscle.

What should you wear to a Salsa class?

Keep it simple and comfortable:

• Clothes you can move in: soft jeans, a T-shirt, a light shirt. No dance outfit needed.
• Clean shoes with a smooth sole: flat trainers or everyday shoes are perfectly fine to start with. Avoid very grippy rubber soles that stick to the floor and get in the way of your turns.
• A bottle of water: you sweat more than you'd think!

Proper dance shoes can come later, if you feel like carrying on — which happens more often than not.

How does a first class work?

A typical class lasts about an hour and always follows the same structure:

1. A warm-up to music to get into the rhythm.
2. The basic step: the foundation of all Cuban Salsa, explained and repeated until it feels natural.
3. A first simple move as a couple, with partner rotation.
4. Free dancing to the last few tracks, to put it all into practice in a relaxed atmosphere.

The atmosphere in a beginner class is welcoming: everyone is in the same boat, no one judges, and there's plenty of laughter.

Do you need to bring a partner?

No. In the Cuban tradition, you change partners regularly during the class. It's a teaching principle: dancing with different people helps you progress much faster, because you learn to adapt rather than memorising set patterns with a single person. So coming on your own is perfectly normal — in fact, that's what most students do.

If you come as a couple and prefer to dance together, that's of course possible — just let us know.

What exactly is Cuban Salsa?

Cuban Salsa (or casino) is the style of Salsa born in Cuba, danced in a circle with a constant interplay of turns between partners. It differs from "linear" styles (Puerto Rican Salsa, LA style) in its circular character, its connection to the ground and its festive energy. It's a very social style, perfect for parties, and its community in French-speaking Switzerland is active and welcoming.

How long does it take to learn to dance?

After a beginner course (usually 8 to 12 weeks), you'll have mastered the basic step and around ten moves: enough to have fun at a party. Progress is quick at the start, and every class brings something new. The real secret? Consistency, not talent.

Ready to give it a try?

The best way to find out whether Salsa is for you is to come and try. At BailaBien, in Biel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, new beginner courses start regularly — and the first trial class lets you discover the vibe with no strings attached.

👉 Book your trial class and take your first Salsa steps this week.