The Foundation of Ballroom Dancing

The key to dancing well with a partner and enjoying it is the right balance of leading and following.  Although choreographed routines are used in competition and performance, ballroom dancing is, at its core, social dancing, which means that it relies on communication between the dancers.  One leads, determining the direction they go and how far they move, and the other follows, keeping up with the changes without overstepping.  It can be challenging, but with practice, you can make it look just as effortless as the professionals! 

Leading 

In ballroom dancing, the man generally leads.  He almost always steps forward first, usually on his right foot.  The man leads his partner through a variety of small movements and weight changes.  For example, a slight backward pull of his shoulder indicates that she should step toward him, while a press against her raised hand tells her to step back.  It's crucial to maintain a proper dance frame because, without it, those communications can get lost. 

The lead has a lot of responsibility in the dance.  It's his job to take his follower through every step, which means he has to make decisions on the fly if there's no choreography.  This can be daunting, especially for beginners, but leading is just as important as knowing the steps.   

Following 

It's generally the woman's role to follow in a dance.  That sounds easy, but it requires just as much skill as leading.  She's just as responsible for maintaining the dance frame, and she must pay attention to all those small changes in her partner's hold.  If she gets too close or too far away from him, their connection will be lost, and they'll lose the ability to dance together smoothly.  

For many women, following is the hardest part of ballroom dancing.  The follower shouldn't move at all until she gets a signal from her lead, regardless if he's off the beat or out of time.  Every move she makes should be dictated by the lead, which can be difficult.  Following requires trusting your partner to communicate well and make you look good.  

Valeo Dance Fitness Studio offers private ballroom dance lessons with Asiya Khasnutdinova, voted Best Ballroom Dance Instructor in Atlanta.  From salsa to swing, tango to foxtrot, we have the style for you!  To start learning the art of lead and follow, contact us today!

Boring Workout? Try Dance Cardio!

We all have fitness goals, right? Some people want to shed a little bit of weight. Some people want to look more toned. Some people just want to lead a healthier lifestyle. Regardless of what you are trying to accomplish when you set out to exert your body, there is one type of workout that you will likely have to face at some point: cardio. 

Here's the problem. Many of the traditional cardiovascular exercises can tend to get a bit repetitive and mundane, thus making them chore-like. How often can you go running or spinning before you are just sick of it? A week? A month? After a while, even the most dedicated of fitness-gurus need to add a little bit of flavor to their workout routine. 

At the Valeo Dance Fitness Studio, they have just the right exercise to get you excited to work out again!

The Power of Dance Cardio

That's right. Dancing also counts as a cardio workout when it is done right. Cardiovascular exercises consist of activities that raise a person's heart rate for an extended period of time. After one dance fitness class, you will understand just how strenuous a simple activity like dancing can be.

Dance cardio eliminates the inevitable dullness that comes with some other cardio workouts. As the music changes, you change. Sometimes it's fast, sometimes it's slow. No two classes are ever the same in dance cardio, while the collective movement of your group can also drive home an intoxicating feeling of community.

What's more, dancing tends to target more muscle groups than running, cycling, etc. It is a full-body cardiovascular routine that can trim fat, tone muscle, and leave you hungry for more as soon as it is over. 

Time to Hit the Dance Floor!

All of us must face a cardio workout eventually. That doesn't mean it can't be fun, though! Dance cardio integrates infectious music and a variety of movements that can help you reach all of your fitness goals. But most importantly, you don't have to be bored during the journey to your ideal body, as boredom simply does not exist on the dance floor. 

Dance and music are truly an international language as well. When you try dance cardio, you are opening yourself up to a wonderful way of expression. Due to COVID-19, our lives have changed drastically. Since then, we have received videos of people dancing all over the world with us - Argentina, Italy, the UK, Germany, Israel, France, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, and more. Join us in a fun new workout and find our videos on YouTube here. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for joining us!

Check out this video of our friends from all over the world dancing with us!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXRLt9iq4Vo

Susan Ellison's Story About Valeo Fitness YouTube Channel

Dance is one of the best ways to get fit and stay fit. The Valeo Dance Fitness Studio has been selected by SELF magazine as a TOP 10 BEST cardio dance workouts in the USA. We have incorporated medical research into our classes, and as a result, we have helped countless women achieve the fitness and lifestyle they desire. Our studio is located in Atlanta, but that hasn't stopped us from helping women all over the world. Valeo Dance Fitness Studio has a very active YouTube channel with over 230,000 subscribers. No matter where you are, you can get the benefit of the classes at the studio and begin to change your life! 

Susan Ellison

Subscribers like Susan Ellison are living proof of how the benefits of using our YouTube channel can make a big difference. In Susan's own words: 

"Just a quick note to thank you for your creative, fun workout dance fitness classes on YouTube. I subscribe and have been following your classes for a year now. I love them!! You have helped me get me back!! 30 lbs down!"

Our YouTube videos use new and upbeat music and are only a few minutes. The videos are of real dance classes and show the whole class dancing so that you will fit right in. With hundreds of videos showing different songs, you can pick and choose what you enjoy the most. Our YouTube channel will even give you playlists with all the videos you need to focus on different types of workouts such as upper body, lower body, and more. We are so proud of the work Susan has done, and it's stories like hers that drive us to keep our YouTube channel fresh with videos to help you get fit and stay fit in a fun and healthy way. Contact us for more information about our studio, our live classes, or our highly popular YouTube channel. 

2019 Valeo Dance & Fitness Studio Fitness Retreat

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Our wildly successful all-inclusive trip to the beautiful Dominican Republic is back and better than ever for 2019! This trip is exactly what you need to get you on the right track to healthy living. During our fitness retreat, you'll spend five luxurious days at our private Valeo Villa surrounded by unparalleled natural views and friends you just haven't met yet!

Your Accommodations

You'll be whisked away from the airport via private car and transported to the serene private Valeo Villa. During your five days in Caribbean paradise, you'll be taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and gorgeous landscape 24/7. The contemporary villa offers balconies and terraces, so you relax to the rolling waves and awaken to the Caribbean breeze every day. An infinity pool, expansive exercise and relaxation areas, and solarium add to the life-changing experience.

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All About Fitness and Food

The Valeo Dance & Fitness retreat isn't just about relaxation; it's about getting you on the road to a healthier lifestyle. Our private chef will provide you with organic, and of course delicious meals three times a day utilizing the best local farm-to-table ingredients. You'll be able to take your food experiences back home with you to create not only healthy but nutritious meals for yourself, your friends, and your family!

Fitness training is also a crucial aspect of creating a sustainable health-based lifestyle that you can continue for a lifetime. The retreat offers fun and energizing workouts that you can partake in as much or as little as you'd like! 

• Cardio dancing with our top-rated signature Valeo Dance Fitness routine

• Weighted hula hooping for a fun core workout

• Resistance training for building strength and lean muscle 

• Fitness drumming for a unique musical exercise experience

• Dance lessons including sunset salsa and tango

• And of course, a wide variety of outdoor activities including nature walks, hiking, and beach exploration

This year's fitness retreat will be taking place between October 23rd and 27th. If you missed last years (or have been waiting with bated breath for this years) now's your chance to have a one of a kind experience you'll never forget. Click here for more information about the trip and feel free to contact us with any questions! Last year's trip sold out in just three days so be sure to book your spot ASAP!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dance Your Way To Your Fitness Goals In 2019!

2019 is here! Do your New Year's resolutions include better fitness? Are you focusing on getting in more activity, burning more calories, and increasing your energy levels? Valeo Dance & Fitness Studio can help! This year, instead of slogging your way through another run or forcing yourself through another class at the gym, consider how you can dance your way to better health. We have plenty of amazing options available that will help you increase your overall health and wellness and have a lot of fun while you're doing it. Dance alone or bring in your best friend, your partner, or your entire work group. At Valeo Dance & Fitness Studio, we're here to help you reach your fitness goals in ways you never imagined before.

Go for group dance fitness. Are you most likely to meet your goals when you work with an inspiring teacher and a group that's there to motivate you every step of the way? Our group dance fitness classes are the perfect way to make your goals reality.

Try out a few private dance lessons. Some people have an innate fear of dancing in front of a group. Others have a specific goal in mind that just isn't feasible for a group dance class: putting together a spectacular routine with your partner for your 2019 wedding, for example. If you prefer private dance lessons, sign up with one of our incredible instructors to dance your way to fitness in a personalized setting. The focus is all on you or the people you bring in with you, and we're ready to have fun along the way!

Explore our online video workouts. Can't make it in for a session in person? Find your schedule getting in the way? That's okay! Our online video dance workouts will have you dancing your heart out in your hotel room, your office, or the safety of your own living room.

Sign up for a retreat. Need some time to focus on your body while getting away from it all? At our dance retreats, you'll be able to spend plenty of time engaged in personal fitness, but you'll also have time to kick back and relax. You'll also have a chance to get dressed up and show off your stuff at our amazing dance events.

Are you ready to start dancing your way to your fitness goals in 2019? Contact us at Valeo Dance & Fitness Studio to learn more about all of our dance class options.

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's easy to fall into the lapse of bad health habits, telling yourself over and over that you'll get back in gear at the start of the new year. Staying healthy during the holidays shouldn't be a chore. Get a jumpstart on your health and nutrition by implementing healthy eating habits and an exercise routine before the holidays, so that your piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving is the exception and not the rule!

Create an Eating Plan That Works For You

Just because there are a few days where you'll be tempted to eat sweets and foods that may not be great for you doesn't mean you have to throw away the next two months! Starting an eating regimen that cuts down on sugar and sodium means that you'll be less tempted when those days arrive. It also means that, if you do decide to indulge, a smaller piece of cake or pie will be more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Avoid the Liquid Calories

Many people drink with the mindset that liquid calories "don't count," however alcoholic beverages vary in serving sizes, based on the alcohol content of the drink and the amount of carbohydrates (typically in the form of sugar) it contains. Holiday drinks can be a real hindrance when it comes to staying healthy this time of year. Use low-calorie mixers, such as no-calorie soda or tonic water or lemon and lime wedges, to help reduce added calories. 

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water and staying hydrated is one of the greatest things you can do for your overall health. Starting each morning with a glass of cold water gets your metabolism going for the day, and helps energize you to accomplish your goals. Drinking water in between alocoholic beverages will not only help you stay hydrated, but may help limit the number of alcoholic beverages you consume. 

Get Into the Habit of Working Out

If you're already in the habit of working out when the holidays come around, you'll be much more likely to continue throughout! Bored with your current routine? Try Valeo Dance Fitness Studio! With all new November choreography, you're certain to get out of your workout rut and dance your way to a new, fit version of yourself! Plus, your first group class is complimentary, so there's no reason not to give it a try. Sign up today to find out what dance fitness is all about! 

Get yourself into these healthy eating habits and you won't have a thing to regret when the holidays come around! Eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting into a workout routine of cardio dance fitness are three great ways to ensure that you have a great, healthy holiday!

15-Minute Vacay Workouts Travel Book is Here!

Struggling to stay active while travelling? Not anymore! We are proud to announce that Asiya Khasnutdinova, the owner and founder of Valeo Dance Fitness Studio, is the featured fitness model in a newly released 15-minute Vacay Workouts book! With this compact travel book you can stay active and fit anywhere you go! Utilize your vacation getaway as an infinite gym, incorporating indoor and outdoor spaces for optimal workouts! These 15-minute workouts can be combined, repeated in circuits for more challenge or stand alone to best fit your schedule. 

VALEO DANCE app is finally here! Download now for iPhones and Androids!

From this mobile app you can view class schedules, plan your visits, make payments, register for classes as well as add reminders to your calendar to keep you organized. Receive studio promotions and current deals through instant notifications! Check out our online YouTube workouts under WHAT'S HOT and see what we are up to on social media. Share your studio visits with friends through social media and participate in our monthly photo contest to WIN PRIZES! Download VALEO DANCE app today!
Use the links below for iPhones and Androids to download VALEO DANCE app
iOS Apple Store
Android Google Play Store