Just call me J-Lo. After my first class here - hip hop for beginners - I left feeling happy, upbeat and with a spring in my step. Or should that be springing with a beat in my step?\n\nI've had a life long love affair with dancing. Ballet for 10 years growing up, I've samba'd for 4 years, danced in parades, tried belly dancing, salsa, lots of latin american and african tribal dance. I love it all.\n\nWhen I moved to Edinburgh I was keen to seek out similar classes (along the lines of samba, african etc.) Dance Base is *the* dance house in Edinburgh. With its own very big dedicated building, a really extensive programme of classes 7 days a week, it seemed like the one for me. \n\nThe only reason I've not given Dance Base 5 stars is that it lacked exactly what I was looking for. A Latin Fusion solo dance class (rather than partner dancing like salsa or tango). It has a lot of ballet, contemporary, swing, tango, salsa, pilates, yoga, belly dancing. In fact, practically everything else except the one style I was hoping for. Perhaps it's just as a city Edinburgh isn't into the latin-reggae scene as much. Alas.\n\nSo I pipped for hip-hop instead. (I *really* shouldn't have used the word 'pipped' in the same sentence as 'hip-hop' should I?) I'm not exactly 'street', and whilst I love to shake my hips have really stiff shoulders. So, despite lots of dance experience, was a wee bit nervous to try a new style.\n\nFirst off, the building and halls. Beautiful big studio with full mirrors, barrs on both sides of the room, gorgeous views and big windows. Light, airy, well ventiated (read, not stuffy and smelly / sticky!) Friendly staff on reception. Lots of changing rooms and locker space. For facilities, it's 5 / 5.\n\nThe dance teacher for Hip Hop Drop-in was totally rockin. Lots of attitude but totally approachable. She got the balance of laughing *with* us rather than *at* us just right. She was groovin' away at the intro to the song before the routine started and you could see that girl has got mooooooves. The routine she taught us was fast, quite complex, and by the end did have me sweating a bit (although I would have preferred more of an intense work out). I was popping, locking, and nodding my head to the word \"playa\". Fo reezy.\n\nI can't wait to try a few more classes. I love the fact they have a lot of drop-in classes (you just pay as you go, usually all around \u00a36.50) and from there I'll maybe choose a course to sign up to over summer.\n\nReally fantastic facilities, a great range of classes, great teachers, central location. Now if they could just bring in some reggaeton or samba it'd be up to a very solid 5 stars.\n\nJenny from the block, out.
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