Learn how to dance Merengue!

The Merengue is a dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. Toronto Dance Salsa is offering a FREE, brain injury friendly merengue dance class!

All physical ability levels welcome! Everyone will be paired up with a dance partner virtually! This is more than a dance class. There will be an open discussion about personal growth, too!

Create an account, electronically acknowledge the waiver, and then register for the class

Who can Participate: brain injury survivors and/or caregivers; ALL physical abilities welcome

Requirements:

1. 1. 1. Zoom on a device with a camera – camera will need to be on (requirement for safety)
    2. MUST join the event on time; participants will NOT be able to join as of 6:35 pm EST
    3. You can join 5 to 10 minutes early – get to know your instructor and other students
    4. Place chair in front of you for support/balance if needed

If you need assistance signing up for this event, please contact info@bist.ca or call 416-830-1485.

Image Description: (LEFT) A head shot of Aleksander Saiyan, a man with brown hair and a beard. He is smiling wearing a black t-shirt with #belong written on it (RIGHT) 9 pictures of individuals standing in their living rooms, smiling, making a heart shape with their hands.

ALEKSANDER SAIYAN
Salsa and Bachata Instructor / TDS Operations

Growing up, Aleks always felt like an outsider. He never felt accepted by his friends and family and was constantly fighting the feelings of not being good enough and trying to fit in. He also battled a medical condition called Hyperhydrosis (excessively sweaty palms) which gave him body issues and a lack of confidence.

And… he was a terrible dancer. He avoided dance clubs when his friends tried to drag him along and he was afraid to ask women to dance because of his sweaty palms and lack of skills.

In 2009, everything changed when he made an important choice. Overweight, unhappy, and tired of having no confidence, he chose to tackle his biggest fear: Dancing. He joined Toronto Dance Salsa as a beginner and was one of the most uncoordinated students in the class.

But he fell in love with the people, he fell in love with the music, and in that process, he fell in love with himself. Now he’s on a mission to help others fall in love with themselves as well and find a place where they can #Belong. Aleks went from being the worst student in his class to an Instructor and the Director of Operations at Toronto Dance Salsa. And he’s also your lead instructor for Transformation Month!

Deep down what he has always wanted was to create a place where you can come in as you are, be accepted for that, and get lifted up to where you want to be.