Spanish dance class and physical activity assessment discussion for the community!

A couple of months ago, one of our staff members, Anna Minaya, started organizing a social affinity group for CEOC's Spanish speaking participants. At their first gathering, she played some music in the background and saw several of the members dancing in their seats. That's where the idea sparked to host a dance class. Thanks to funding from the Cambridge Public Health Department, we organized a class at The Dance Complex taught by a Spanish-speaking instructor (Anara from Metamovements Latin Dance Company). So often, organized opportunities to move your body are not accessible for all: there are language barriers, transportation barriers, and cost barriers. We tried to mitigate as many of these barriers as possible, teaching the class completely in Spanish, hosting it in a convenient location close to where people live, and offering it for free.

Participants got to learn 4 different Latin dance styles in a judgment-free zone where they could tap into movement that felt good and joyful for them. And after the class, the Cambridge Public Health Department Healthy Eating and Active Living team shared results from their recent physical activity assessment and got the community's input. Class participants shared the ways they like to exercise and some ways that Cambridge could make physical activity more accessible. When asked "where do you feel most welcome being active?" several participants said "spaces like this!"

We're so grateful for our partners that helped make this event happen and for the participants who showed up and danced with us. The event was a huge hit - everyone was asking when the next class would be!